The story of a young fisherman and his dreams of becoming a jockey in Mauritius.

In the sixties, Mauritius, a small island barely populated for the last four hundred years, inherited a sport and culture very much favored by its past colonizers: horse racing. I'VE SEEN THE UNICORN is a documentary that looks at life around the Maiden Cup horse race, the biggest event in Mauritius.

The film examines post-colonialism through various characters involved in this tradition, including: a young fisherman who dreams of becoming a jockey, a Rastafarian gambler, a bookie, an Irish jockey, and the owner of the oldest stable in the southern hemisphere. As the event unfolds we are given a unique glimpse into the lives of the people in Mauritus and how their dreams are shaped by this legendary horse race.

A film by Vincent Toi

2014 | Canada | Documentary | 61 Minutes | Creole English French (Subtitles), Biography, Drama, History

Stars:
Ah Sen Li Hee Cheong, Alvinio Roy, Robbie Burke

Director:
Vincent Wong Chung Toi (as Vincent Toi)

Writer:
Vincent Wong Chung Toi

Producers:
Vincent Toi
Michael Massicotte
Marley Sniatowsky
Sophie Bédard Marcotte
Sonya Mladenova (Co-Producer)
George Fok (Co-Producer)


Cinematographer:
George Fok

Editor:
Daniel Dietzel

Composers:
Jonas Bonnetta
Pierre-Luc Lecours

Sound:
Pierre-Luc Lecours
Myriam Boucher
Pierre-Olivier Rioux


THE PROGRAMMER NOTE (Hot Docs 2014)

On the tiny island nation of Mauritius, Alvinio Roy, a young, stouthearted fisherman, dreams of becoming a champion jockey at the fabled Champs de Mars Racecourse. Though a remnant of the British Empire, which ruled Mauritius until 1968, horse racing has endured as the lifeblood of the island. As one local explains, "There are beaches-and horse racing!" We follow Alvinio and other horse racing aficionados-a Rastafarian gambler, a shrewd bookmaker, an Irish jockey and the head trainer of the Gujadhur family stables-in rapt anticipation of the year's ultimate race: The Maiden Cup. With a lyrical eye, director Vincent Toi throws us into the nail-biting sport of horse racing to evoke a nation resolute in spirit despite centuries of colonial rule. I've Seen the Unicorn conjures a tangible, fragrant sense of place and a nation galloping forward on its optimism. Justin Mah

2014 | Hot Docs, TORONTO, Canada, April 24 - May 4, 2014
* Selection : Canadian Spectrum
* Première Mondiale : World Premiere
* SCREENING: TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 - Sun, Apr 27, at 8:30 PM
* SCREENING: TIFF Bell Lightbox 3 - Mon, Apr 28, at 12:30 PM
* SCREENING: ROM Theatre - Fri, May 2, at 4:30 PM
Co-Presenter(s): Canadian Sport Film Festival
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