Black Robe

The events take place in 1634, during the Beaver Wars era when French missionaries, explorers and settlers pushed into Indigenous lands. Winter approaches during the voyage, making travel across lakes and forests treacherous. The period is marked by religious missions, cultural contact, and escalating intertribal conflict.

Set in the mid-17th century frontier of New France around a settlement that would become Quebec City. The journey traverses the lakes and forests of the Great Lakes region to guide the French toward a distant Huron village. The story interlaces Algonquin, Montagnais, Huron and Iroquois territories, highlighting the geopolitical landscape of Beaver Wars.

⛪️ Faith and Conversion

LaForgue’s mission to baptize the Hurons places organized Catholic faith at odds with Indigenous spiritual practices. The journey tests the limits of conversion, with Champlain’s political goals and Indigenous autonomy often clashing. The film examines faith as a motive, a tool of cultural contact, and a source of personal doubt.

🧭 Cross-Cultural Clash

The Algonquin, Montagnais, Huron and French worlds collide as travelers share the same routes and fears. Mestigoit’s suspicion and the decisions of Chomina highlight the fragile balance between trust and betrayal. Love between Daniel and Annuka further complicates loyalties across cultures.

⚔️ Conflict and Loss

The Mohawk attack devastates the Algonquin group, killing many and capturing survivors, including Chomina’s wife. The pursuit of safety is shadowed by violence and captivity, culminating in Chomina’s death and a bleak reminder of ongoing war. The film ends with the religious mission persisting in memory, even as history moves against it.