Absolutely Quebec back for another season

CBC's Absolutely Quebec series starts this Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. on CBC Television.

Now in its sixth season,  the hour-long regional documentary series is part of CBC Television's mandate to offer local reflection beyond the daily newscast by exploring the province's history, culture and talent.

There will be six documentaries in all.

First up is Cities held Hostage. Centred on the landmark investigation by Montreal Gazette journalist Henry Aubin in his book City for Sale, the documentary examines a city in perpetual development and the forces that shape it.

Below is the full list of dates and titles. For extended synopses and trailers, click here.

Saturday, Sept. 2: The Gardener

A documentary reflecting on a spiritual and creative approach to gardening. A highly experiential program profiling one of Quebec's prolific landscape artists, Frank Cabot. 

Saturday, Sept. 9: Napagunnaqullusi - So that you can stand

This documentary tells the story of the 11 Inuit signatories of the James Bay Agreement as they took on the Quebec government to protect their land and their children's future in the early 1970s. The film also talks about the legacy — both positive and negative — of the activism work done by both Inuit and Cree community members at that time.

Saturday, Sep. 16: I'm Still Your Child

Jessy, Sarah and Von are all familiar with the "ups and downs" of living with a parent who suffers from mental illness. This situation is extremely common (60 per cent of Canadians with mental illness are parents) and there can be serious long-term repercussions. I'm Still Your Child immerses us in a bewildering yet hopeful world through the stories of three compelling subjects who have found ways to cope — and even thrive!

Saturday, Sept. 23: Abu

As a gay man, filmmaker Arshad Khan explores his troubled relationship with his devout Muslim Pakistani father Abu. Using family archives, pictures and movies, Abu is a revealing and deeply affecting portrait of a family's tug-of-war between conservatism and liberalism that has greater implications for those choosing the west as their home.

Saturday, Sept. 30: Studios, Lofts and Jam Spaces

Montreal is home to one of the most active communities of artists in all of Canada and is well known throughout the world for its creative output. The availability of large post-industrial spaces, affordable rents, cheap living and a supportive funding system makes life as an independent artist possible in this city. Studios, Lofts and Jam Spaces follows musician and visual artist Little Scream (Laurel Sprengelmeyer) and fashion designer Jennifer Glasgow as they launch their works into the world.