The Body Remembers when the world broke Open

 APTN, the television network offers movies that have some sort of indigenous connection.  Most of the movies have low budgets and one feels the network feels an obligation to present the indigenous perspective.  The title  "The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open" (2019) comes from a an essay by Cree poet, Billy-Ray Belcourt.

 It is a story about someone trying to help someone in need and being resisted.  Aila is herself indigenous with one parent Blackfoot and the other Sami (Norwegian) but she looks educated and middle class.  A pregnant, poorly clothed indigenous woman, Rosie was crying, barefoot and Aila hustles her new acquaintance away from the abusive boyfriend and to her home.  Rosie is  unhappy, but also fearful of change, revenge and public disapproval.  From this point Aila tries to persuade Rosie to seek help, but Rosie acts resentful.  Aila, after several phone calls finds a shelter that has an opening and shames Rosie to visit with her.  After a lot of guidance and a tour of the shelter, Rosie decides to go back home.  That is basically the story realistically presented.

About fifty years ago I was a young, naive social worker and found myself being advised to help a woman who felt abused, but reluctant to take action.  I had a run in with her husband who was very drunk,  aggressive and threatening.  I was rescued by a police officer I had met on the job.  The next day the husband who had been put in jail, came and apologized to me.  I wasn't on the job long enough to know how it worked out.

The writer, director and actor Elle-Maija Tailfeathers played Aila identifying her actual racial background.  Aila is a well meaning do gooder, but finds Rosie difficult to motivate.  Elle-Maija graduated from the Vancouver Film School and University of British Columbia majoring in First Nations Studies.  This movie is based on a personal experience.  She has done well as actress, director, writer and producer winning awards in all these disciplines.  Has even done some editing and camera work.  Awhile back I saw a movie done by Chloe Zhao on APTN that led her to bigger projects.  "Songs My Brother Taught Me." (2015) .Elle-Maija seems another candidate. 

Kathleen Hepburn  writer, director has partnered with Elle-Maija and shared in many of the same awards.  She has also done editing and camera work.

Lori Lozinski, producer known for socially conscious films with strong female characters.  Alberta born and now based in Vancouver has won awards.  She has been producing since 2004.

Tyler Hagan, producer has partnered with Ell-Maija, Kathleen  and Lori on several films. 

Alan R. Milligan, producer with experience in Norway and Iceland, including "Rams" (2015), Cannes Film Festival winner.  Oslo Pictures of Norway help produce this film.

Norm Li was the cinematographer who has been involved with camera work since 2005.   Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia,

The editor, Chrisian Sibenherz is Norwegian and has edited films since 2006 including "The Wave" (2015.)

Violet Nelson in her first film played Rosie, the pregnant abused woman   Her role was to  be distrustful and fearful of authority figures.

Barbara Eve Harris played a shelter person who tried to reassure Rosie and in the end recognized it would take more than one encounter.  Born to Jamaican parents,  raised in Ottawa she has appeared in many tv. shows and movies (both sides of the border and beyond) including "People Like Us" (2012), "How to Get Away With Murder" (2015).

Since I was a student, I have been interested in indigenous people, but mostly ignorant.  I have read and watched lots of presentations and feel that APTN offers something not only for the indigenous, but also for the rest of us who have only a superficial understanding.

The bolded film titles are ones that have been seen. 

Another film seen through APTN:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/07/tia-and-piujuq.html

TIA AND PIUJUQ

Children's films are not normally a subject for my blogs, but "Tia and Piujuq"(2018) is unique.  It is not a Disney blockbuster.  It is a relatively low budget Canadian film that reflects a mix of cultures.  Personally it illustrates that opening doors (magically or otherwise) enriches us all and it is best to start at younger ages. 

There are 4 languages at play, Inukitut, Arabic, French and English.  My version had English subtitles and I was uncertain how they handled the difficulties of communication between the characters.  There seems to be an Inukitut voice over the Arabic conversation while I am watching an English translation

Canada opened its doors to Syrian refugees starting in 2016 who with some struggles are adjusting to new culture while bringing some of their own.  The Inuit are on the margins of most Canadians' consciences, but also are contributing.

The story is really a fantasy that allows a 10 year old Syrian refugee girl to go through a magic door and join up with a 10 year old Inuit girl.  Both have few companions their own age.   Tia's mother is mostly bedridden with a difficult pregnancy.  Piujuq is with her grandmother who reads Inuit stories to both girls and is enhanced by some simple animation.  There is a little adventure involving fantasy characters, but it is a cover to let the viewer appreciate there are a wide range of cultures that we can enjoy.  Simple dialogue aimed at young children.

There is an image from my childhood and sometimes advanced by outsiders that Eskimos live in igloos.   The Inuit in this film live in tents, and have  sewing machines.  Refugees in Canada live in what Grown up problems are mostly not noticed, although it is hard not be concerned about the condition of Tia's mother, but she generally hides her discomfort.

The Director/Writer,  Lucy Tulugarjuk started as an actress with  "Atanjaruat:  The Fast Runner" (2001) and "Maina" (2013).  In 2006 she was involved with "The Journals of Knud Rasmussen" as actress, casting director , dialogue writr and key makeup artist.  After "Tia and Piujuq" she was co-producer for "Restless River' (2019).  She is also the mother with two young children, one of whom is a lead character and the other in a supporting role.

Marie-Helene Cousineau, producer and co-writer for "Tia and Piujuq" worked as a still photographer with Lucy on "Atanjaruat: The Fast Runner."  Marie-Helene has directed, produced and written numerous films.

Samuel Cohn-Cousineau was a third writer for the script.

In addition to Marie-Helene the production team included Susan Avingaq and Francois Landry who have worked together on a number of Arctic film projects.  Madeline Ivalu also has worked with the others and also acted in "The Grizzlies" (2018).  I felt "The Grizzlies" was one of the top films seen this year and is more suitable for adults and older children.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/an-unexpected-canadian-film-gem.html

Chris Coleman composed some background music in his first venture.  As a few of the crew involved with throat singing there is some of this unique singing included.

It is filmed in Montreal and Igloolik, Nunavut which is quite a contrast.  John Frantz, cinemetographer is with his first film.   Edith Labbe, the other cinematographer has been involved in a variety of capacities with other films.  She was in the sound department for "Congorama" (2006) and as cinematographer for "Reel Injun" (2006)

Jeremiah Hayes was editor.  He was co-director, co-writer and editor for "Reel Injun" (2006) for which he won a directing award.  He edited "Rumble:  The Indians Who Rocked the World" (2017) for which he won an editing award.  Other films he has edited include "She Got Game" (2003) and "Dogs with Jobs" (2000-01). 

Our young are the future.  How they start in life has an impact.  Canada is a very big country, literally from coast to coast to coast.  We speak two main languages, but really hundreds more are needed to get the full picture.  In Canada the government has supported indigenous art efforts  APTN is a national network that reflects our indigenous culture as well as making us aware of indigenous cultures in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Finland.

Note:  The bolded movie titles are ones that I have viewed.