Hyacinthe Combary, originally from Burkina Faso, is a director and cinematographer who immigrated to Canada in 1999. In 2004, he directed his first Canadian documentary, Histoire de Sable, for the NFB. In this film he draws a comparison between Canadian First Nations spirituality and that of his native Africa. He is involved in directing numerous cinematic projects in Quebec, as well as in Burkina Faso where he maintains strong ties with the West African audiovisual production milieu. Hyacinthe Combary is the cofounder, along with Erica Pomerance, of the Initiative Taling Dialo, a film project dedicated to the education of African youth. He recently directed Miroir en Face (to be released in Spring 2006), portraying an exchange program between the Cree of Chisasibi and young Africans of the Dogon region of Mali.

Erica Pomerance is an independent documentary filmmaker who has directed several films that explore the African diaspora and the experience of the Canadian First Nations. Co-founder of the Initiative Taling Dialo, she has been involved in documentary filmmaking for many years, and most notably has sat on the executive committees of Documentaristes du Canada, and the Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal.

Gérald Coté, ethnomusicologist from Sherbrooke, has published books on blues and jazz, and produced CDs of world music. As part of his research, he has travelled to Mali on many occasions. For the past two years, Gérald has been teaching music at the secondary level at James Bay Eeyou School in Chisasibi. He recently participated in a cultural exchange, accompanying Cree youth to Bamako, in partnership with the 72 Heures Chrono project.

Josué Bertolino is a young Montreal cinematographer, editor and multimedia director who participated in the 72 Heures Chrono project in Bamako, as an instructor in editing. He has participated in many diverse training projects and is an active member of Le Collectif des Lucioles.

The Producers of Production Via Le Monde

VIA LE MONDE has created documentaries around the world since 1967 and has a catalogue of more than 600 hours of film on history, cultural diversity, the art of living, and gastronomy, as well as numerous documentary series for young people. Some of these documentaries such as LES PRIMITIFS, LE DÉFI MONDIAL, with Peter Ustinov, and LES LÉGENDES DU MONDE, have become classics. In the past year, VIA LE MONDE has filmed more than 150 thirty-minute unedited installments on the art of living and gastronomy. VIA LE MONDE is committed to alternative ways of thinking and representing the world--a world that understands itself, a world that is responsible, a world of taste, culture and knowledge.

Daniel Bertolino is president of the Groupe Via le Monde Inc., and its affiliates, Les Productions Via le Monde (Daniel Bertolino) Inc., Les Créations Via le Monde Inc., Le Studio Via le Monde Inc., Les Productions Rêves d’Afrique Inc. and Caméra Stop Inc. He founded this documentary film company in 1967 and has directed or co-directed many films around the world.

In collaboration with Catherine Viau, he has produced all the films of the Groupe Via le Monde Inc., since 1983. (See corporation profile).

Catherine Viau is vice-president of the Groupe Via le Monde Inc., and its affiliates, Les Productions Via le Monde (Daniel Bertolino) Inc., Les Créations Via le Monde Inc., Le Studio Via le Monde Inc., Les Productions Rêves d’Afrique Inc., and Caméra Stop Inc.

In collaboration with Daniel Bertolino, she has produced all of the Groupe's films since 1983. (See corporation profile).

She has written, directed, or co-directed numerous documentaries (Rêves d’Afrique, Agenda pour une petite planète, Terre Comprise, Et si je ne mourais pas, Être heureux au pays des aveugles, Max GrosLouis, etc.). She is also the female narrative voice for the majority of the company's productions.

Christian Charpenel is vice-president of finance for the Groupe Via le Monde Inc.

Via le monde producers : Catherine Viau and Daniel Bertolino