Interest: Indigenous Filmmaker
Trickster
Based on the critically-acclaimed novel Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson (Haisla/Heiltsuk) and steeped in Haisla mythology, Trickster was named by Playback as the top scripted series of 2020 and received 11 CSA nominations, winning three.
Director
Michelle Latimer
A filmmaker and actor, Latimer’s first short, Choke, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her credits include several documentaries and dramatic shorts, such as The Underground and Nuuca. She has directed the television series Rise, Burden of Truth and Trickster.
Cast
Crystle Lightning (Cree), Joel Oulette (Cree/Métis), Kalani Queypo (Blackfoot), Anna Lambe (Inuk)
Genres
Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Our People Will Be Healed
Master documentarian Alanis Obomsawin’s 50th film reveals how a Cree community in Manitoba has been enriched through the power of education. The students at a local school for the Norway House Cree Nation discuss their aspirations for the future and reflect on the fact that they are feeling more hopeful and optimistic than previous generations.
By discussing the effects of intergenerational trauma, substance abuse and many other issues facing Indigenous communities, and by learning about their own history and culture, the students are able to undergo a process of collective healing and ensure that growing up doesn’t mean leaving one’s roots behind.
This inspiring doc shows that the strength of the community comes from the people within it, and provides a strong model for prosperity and renewal.
“Our People Will Be Healed breathes with hope for the future.” – Pat Mullen, POV Magazine
Director
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Legendary Abenaki filmmaker Obomsawin has made over 50 documentaries on issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada, including Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, Trick or Treaty?, Is the Crown at War with Us?, Our People Will Be Healed and Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger. Her most recent film is the short documentary Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair. Next, she is set to appear in an episode of Marie Clements' Bones of Crows: The Series.
Writer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Producer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Mother of Many Children
In this first feature from legendary documentarian Alanis Obomsawin, she examines the role of motherhood in Indigenous society and how it has developed in the modern era. In examining the lives of women from birth to old age and all maturing in between, Obomsawin gives an intimate view into the customs, cultures and oral traditions that define these matriarchal societies. Filled with compelling emotional moments, this documentary is a powerful and moving experience.
As the first feature length documentary by an Indigenous woman, Mother of Many Children represents a turning point in Indigenous film, as well as beginning the career of one of Canada’s most important and iconic filmmakers.
Director
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Legendary Abenaki filmmaker Obomsawin has made over 50 documentaries on issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada, including Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, Trick or Treaty?, Is the Crown at War with Us?, Our People Will Be Healed and Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger. Her most recent film is the short documentary Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair. Next, she is set to appear in an episode of Marie Clements' Bones of Crows: The Series.
Writer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Cast
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Producer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw
With the reserve bully (Supernault) constantly at her heels and an old flame (Kapashesit) suddenly back in her life, she is grateful that her cousin (Martin) is there to help her in the fight to stay positive under trying circumstances. With a lot of laughs along the way, Mitzi embarks on a quest to get her family back on the right track!
Director
Shelley Niro (Kanien'kehaka)
Writer
Shelley Niro (Kanien'kehaka)
Cast
MorningStar Angeline (Navajo/Shoshone/Chippewa Cree/Blackfoot), Gary Farmer (Cayuga), Roseanne Supernault (Cree/Métis), Gail Maurice (Cree/Métis), Ajuawak Kapashesit (Ojibway/Cree)
Producers
Amos Adetuyi, Floyd Kane, Shelley Niro (Kanien'kehaka)
Genre
Comedy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Bootlegger
Driven by a desire to spark change in her community, young activist Mani (Jacobs) returns to her reserve from the big city to promote the ending of alcohol prohibition on her reserve. When she runs into opposition from the local convenience store owner Nadine (Poupart), the two square off, forcing the divisive issue into the spotlight leading to unexpected consequences.
This critically acclaimed first feature from Caroline Monnet is a thought-provoking and timely look at an ongoing debate that rarely gets the media attention it deserves.
Director
Caroline Monnet (Algonquin)
Writers
Caroline Monnet (Algonquin), Daniel Watchorn
Cast
Pascale Bussières, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), Joséphine Bacon (Innu), Joshua Odjick (Algonquin/Anishinaabe), Samian (Algonquin)
Producer
Catherine Chagnon
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Rise: Sacred Water – Standing Rock Part 1
This powerful documentary series from VICELAND gives viewers a rare glimpse into the frontline of Indigenous-led resistance, examining Indigenous life through the stories of people in diverse communities who are working to protect their homelands. Several episodes of this urgent and timely show debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and were hailed as “persuasive and poignant” by The New York Times.
Sacred Water: Standing Rock Part 1 The residents of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation of South Dakota are fighting to stop a pipeline from being built on their ancestral homeland. In this absorbing account of the events leading up to the protests, Anishinaabe host Sarain Carson-Fox provides context and background, telling the water protectors’ side of the story as the conflict develops right before our eyes.
Director
Michelle Latimer
A filmmaker and actor, Latimer’s first short, Choke, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her credits include several documentaries and dramatic shorts, such as The Underground and Nuuca. She has directed the television series Rise, Burden of Truth and Trickster.
Cast
Gitz Crazyboy (Blackfoot/Dene), Sarain Carson-Fox (Anishinaabe)
Producer
Jarrett Martineau (nēhiyaw/Dene Sųłiné)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Environment, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Je m’appelle humain (Call Me Human)
After spending most of her life working as an Innu language translator and transcriber, Joséphine Bacon rose to fame late in life in her second career as an award-winning poet. This moving profile frames her life and work in a new context, offering a deeply personal look at an important literary figure in Canada.
Je m'appele humain premiered at the Quebec City Film Festival to great acclaim, and went on to receive four Prix Iris nominations, including Best Documentary.
Director
Kim O'Bomsawin (Abenaki)
Writers
Kim O'Bomsawin (Abenaki), Nathalie Gressin
Cast
Joséphine Bacon (Innu)
Producer
Andrée-Anne Frenette
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Monkey Beach
In this charming supernatural mystery, Lisa (Dove), a young Haisla woman with clairvoyant abilities, returns to her hometown of Kitamaat and tries to come to terms with the fact that her brother Jimmy (Oulette) has gone missing at sea. Soon, she finds herself drifting between her life in Kitamaat and the spirit world, in an attempt to save him.
Set in the stunning natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Monkey Beach draws on Haisla symbolism and culture. This debut feature from renowned documentarian Loretta Todd is a heartfelt and often funny look at grief and the importance of family.
Based on the celebrated novel by Eden Robinson, Monkey Beach received international acclaim and a CSA nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Director
Loretta Todd (Cree/Métis)
Writers
Johnny Darrell, Andrew Duncan
Cast
Grace Dove (Secwépemc), Adam Beach (Anishinaabe), Nathaniel Arcand (Cree), Joel Oulette (Cree/Métis)
Producers
Loretta Todd (Cree/Métis), Paddy Bickerton, Jason James, Matthew O'Connor, Patricia Poskitt
Genres
Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Ste. Anne
Four years after leaving her daughter (d’Eschambault) to be raised by her brother (Theis) and his wife (Marion), Renée (Vermette) returns to find an entirely different life from the one she left behind. The tensions caused by her arrival simmer under the surface as Renée clumsily adjusts back into a maternal role despite her young daughter having no memory of her.
Featuring members of Vermette’s own family and community, this lovingly made personal project went on to win Best Canadian Feature at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2021.
“More experiment than straight-ahead narrative, Ste. Anne rewards patient, careful attention. The rewards are great.” - Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail
Director
Rhayne Vermette (Métis)
Writer
Rhayne Vermette (Métis)
Cast
Isabelle d’Eschambault, Valerie Marion, Dolorès Gosselin (Métis)
Producer
Rhayne Vermette (Métis)
Genres
Drama, Experimental
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
French
Rise: Red Power – Standing Rock Part 2
This powerful documentary series from VICELAND gives viewers a rare glimpse into the frontline of Indigenous-led resistance, examining Indigenous life through the stories of people in diverse communities who are working to protect their homelands. Several episodes of this urgent and timely show debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and were hailed as “persuasive and poignant” by The New York Times.
Red Power: Standing Rock Part 2 As the #noDAPL movement grows in size and reaches a boiling point, over 5,000 people descend on the Standing Rock camp. Using the unprecedented occupation at Standing Rock as its starting point, this episode delves into the evolution of the Red Power Movement, combining history lessons about Indigenous-led resistance with explosive footage of this urgent and historic moment.
Director
Michelle Latimer
A filmmaker and actor, Latimer’s first short, Choke, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her credits include several documentaries and dramatic shorts, such as The Underground and Nuuca. She has directed the television series Rise, Burden of Truth and Trickster.
Cast
Sarain Carson-Fox (Anishinaabe), Gitz Crazyboy (Blackfoot/Dene)
Producer
Jarrett Martineau (nēhiyaw/Dene Sųłiné)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Environment, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English