Indigenous film titles from Canada
For the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Day (Sept 30), I wanted to share some Indigenous films made by various Indigenous directors, starring actors from many Indigenous communities, that speaks of their stories and experiences.
L’inhumain (2021) - directed by Jason Brennan (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg), Genre: horror/thriller. Viewing: tout.tv platform.
A rare French-language Indigenous genre film, L’inhumain is the directorial debut of Anishinaabe producer and writer Jason Brennan. It’s a thrilling and evocative parable about the dangers of feeding the monster inside, and faithfully portrays an Anishinaabe Wendigo story. Starring Samian, an Indigenous neurosurgeon by the name of Mathieu who has had to leave his community at a young age because of school. After many years, Matt has somewhat rebuilt his life away from the community. Although he’s got a great family and a successful job, he’s still trying to fill the void left by having left behind his culture, his roots, and his family. In attempts to fill this void, he’s giving in to many different vices and the slippery slope has led him to fall prey to the Wendigo.
Angry Inuk (2016) directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk from Iqaluit, Nunavut). Genre: documentary. Viewing: National Film Board of Canada platform.
In her award-winning documentary, director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril joins a new tech-savvy generation of Inuit as they campaign to challenge long-established perceptions of seal hunting. Armed with social media and their own sense of humour and justice, this group is bringing its own voice into the conversation and presenting themselves to the world as a modern people in dire need of a sustainable economy.
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril is also the co-creator of the drama comedy series North of North, now available on CBC and Netflix in Canada.
Call Me Human (Je m’appelle humain) (2020), directed by Kim O’Bomsawin (Abenaki) Genre:documentary. Viewing:tout.tv platform
Innu writer Joséphine Bacon is part of a generation that has lived through significant changes in Indigenous traditions and colonialist displacement. Born in the Innu community of Pessamit, Bacon was sent to residential school at the age of five and spent fourteen years of her life there. Now, with charm, grace, and quiet tenacity, she is leading a movement to preserve her people’s language and culture.
This endearing film moves with Bacon across Canada — Montreal, Pessamit, and the tundra. In each place she visits, Bacon shares reflections and stories, backdropped by the film’s stunning cinematography. The contrasts between city and wilderness mirror Bacon’s upbringing, creating a poignant sense of the displacement she and her generation experienced. At the same time, the film offers a moving, inspirational meditation on the interconnectedness of language, earth, spirituality, and culture.
Dear Flora (2022) directed by Sonia Bonspille Boileau (Mohawk). Genre: Drama. Viewing: tout.tv platform, APTN Lumi platform, Apple Tv rent/buy
The Dear Flora drama series portrays the inherent resilience of two Anishinaabe siblings who endured their childhood in a Quebec residential school in the 1960s. The film explores their present-day challenges as they grapple with the lingering effects of their past.
Beans (2020) director: Tracey Deer (Mohawk). Genre: drama. Viewing: CBC gem, Apple TV rent/buy.
Based on true events, Tracey Deer's debut feature chronicles the 78-day standoff between two Mohawk communities and government forces in 1990 Quebec, known as the Oka Crisis at Kanesatake. Starring Kiawentiio and Rainbow Dickerson.
