Alexandre "Sacha" Trudeau, the filmmaker brother of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and son of the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, has consistently chosen a path far removed from the political arena. In a candid interview at a west-end Montreal pizzeria, Trudeau reveals that he "never wanted to perform in any way," a sentiment that kept him from following in his family's footsteps. Instead, he has pivoted from sobering geopolitical documentaries to his latest project, the survivalist thriller Hair of the Bear, set to hit theatres on March 20.
From Documentaries to Thrillers: A New Creative Direction
Trudeau, 52, is co-director and co-writer of Hair of the Bear, a film that marks a significant departure from his earlier work. Known for hard-hitting documentaries like Embedded in Baghdad, which covered the 2003 Iraq invasion, and Refuge: A Film About Darfur, he now ventures into fiction with a chilling story set in the frozen tundra of northern Manitoba. The film stars Malia Baker as a 16-year-old who confronts predatory humanoid critters while visiting her grandfather, played by Roy Dupuis.
"If you're surprising people, it's a good thing," Trudeau says with a smile, noting that making this kind of thriller has always been a dream. He explains that his shift away from documentaries began in his 30s, driven by a desire to avoid risks after starting a family. Married with three children aged 14, 17, and 19, Trudeau emphasizes that his priority is being present for his wife and kids, rather than embarking on dangerous filmmaking journeys.
Avoiding Family Conflict in Filmmaking
Trudeau's pivot also stems from a desire to maintain family peace. He admits that continuing with geopolitical commentary could have led to conflicts with his brother Justin, given the potential for criticism. "I'm not going to do geopolitical commentary when it could reflect on Justin and lead to fights and God-knows-what," he muses. "I just didn't want to be in a position to be criticizing my brother, to put it simply."
This decision allowed him to explore new creative avenues. Hair of the Bear tackles themes of anxiety and survival, inspired by conversations with his co-writer James McLellan about teenage mental health. Trudeau, who claims immunity to anxiety due to his father's influence, describes the film as a fight-for-your-life narrative that is not for the squeamish.
The Challenges of Filmmaking and Family Legacy
The production of Hair of the Bear presented its own survival challenges, with the harsh northern elements testing the crew. Trudeau reflects on Canadian filmmaking as a mirror of life's realities, noting that "this country tries to kill us at times—the cold that kills, the ice that kills." Despite these difficulties, he remains in a jocular and relaxed mood, a contrast to his intense younger years.
Trudeau's perspective has been shaped by personal tragedies, including the death of his brother Michel in a 1998 avalanche and his father's passing in 2000. These events, combined with family life, have mellowed him over time. "Maybe family life has mellowed me. And one knows oneself better with time," he reflects.
Political Performance vs. Artistic Expression
Trudeau draws a clear distinction between politics and his work in film. He views political life as a performance, requiring a facade that he never wanted to adopt. "Performance is what wires politicians," he says. "I like working with actors, but that's it. In politics, you really have to put up a facade and give a sort of token version of yourself that people can hate and love and adulate."
He believes that film and writing are his true arenas for fighting for ideas, whether through fact or fiction. Despite his youthful idealism being tempered by global events, Trudeau remains committed to storytelling. He is currently writing a book on political philosophy, which he teasingly notes might align more with public expectations of him.
Reflections on Family and the Future
Trudeau shares warm thoughts about his brother Justin, who he says is now "as happy as I've ever seen him" after stepping down as Prime Minister. He mentions Justin's recent purchase of a home in Outremont and his relationship with Katy Perry, expressing happiness for his brother's newfound freedom. "He was like a prisoner. It's nice to see him no longer a prisoner of destiny," Trudeau remarks.
His connection to his father remains profound. "I live with my dad. He still carries me. I do believe in the immortality of souls," he says, describing Pierre Trudeau as a humble, introspective thinker whose pursuit of ideas continues to inspire him. Trudeau plans to compile these reflections into a memoir someday.
Despite concerns about the state of global liberal democracy, Trudeau remains optimistic for his children and proud of Canada's tolerant, pluralist society. "We're the last bastion of universal humanism," he asserts, emphasizing the need to fight for these values. With Hair of the Bear set for release, Trudeau looks forward to more feature films, steadfast in his choice to tell his own stories away from the political spotlight.
