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Kicking Blood: Kicking the Habit

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“You gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight” – Leonard Cohen

To be fair, Cohen’s words were likely never meant to connect with vampire films. But they certainly apply to Kicking Blood.

Kicking Blood tells the story of Anna (Alanna Bale), a young vampire who must feed on the blood of others to survive. Together with her brood, they feed nightly off of toxic men and thrive off the high they feel after doing so. However, when she meets a humble alcoholic named Robbie (Luke Bilyk) who tries to get clean, Anna begins to wonder if she can kick her own habit of consuming blood as well, even if doing so could kill her.

Directed and co-written by Blaine Thurman (The New Pornographers), Kicking Blood has a surprising amount of bite to its story. Tightly the written and executed, Blood may be brief but also has something to say. Clocking in at a paltry 75 minutes, Thurman’s film takes a much more metaphorical approach with its storytelling. Although the film fully leans into its horror elements, Blood is equally as interested in exploring the trauma of abuse and its relationship to addiction as well. In this world, death is a dark and mysterious place… but what does it mean to live? Is it possible to begin again when what came before is so broken? These are the questions that are embedded within Thurman’s tale of blood that make it worth exploring.

At first, Blood feels very much like revenge film. As Anna chooses her victims, we quickly notice a pattern beginning to form. Each prey that she targets has been some form of predator. Whether adulterous or abusive, each of Anna’s victims reveals their sins. As such, she appears to justify her kills as an act of vengeance against the darkness of man. (Who’s going to miss men who have hurt others like that, right?) In this way, her feedings are given shades of justice as she fights on behalf of those who have been hurt. If these victims cannot stand up for themselves, she will do it for them.

When she meets Robbie though, things begin to change. Broken by alcoholism, Robbie is ready to die and suggests that he is willing to let Anna take his life. However, in doing so, she sees something different in him. His humility and repentant soul are different than the other men that she has fed upon. In this way, there’s a complexity within their relationship that complicates this tale of vengeance. As Anna’s instinctive desire to feed battles a burgeoning compassion, suddenly she struggles to bring herself to end his life. 

Unlike the others, Robbie may worth saving.

However, her experience with him also begins to show her things about herself. It’s here that Blood’s metaphor begins to shift. Whereas once feeding took on an element of justice or revenge, now it seems to point to addiction. For Anna, her desire to inflict violence masks an inner rage that she carries within her. While each kill may be necessary for her to live, it also gives her an energetic high that keeps her going. Even so, her experience with Robbie challenges her to choose a new path for herself. While her friends feed for the rush, Anna decides to try and break free from the painful pattern that rules her life.

Whether or not that’s possible for her is another story.

Dark and edgy, Kicking Blood makes good use of its runtime to prove its point. Using vampires as a metaphor for addiction and abuse, Blood takes one of the darkest of classic villain tropes and uses it to explore what it takes to find hope and healing at a time when it feels most elusive. 

After all, as the man says, when darkness falls, Blood reminds us that we can kick against it.

Kicking Blood is available in select theatres on Friday, April 15th, 2022.

Compartment No. 6: Strangers on a Train

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“You never know what might come around.” – Compartment No. 6

Compartment No. 6 tells the story of Laura (Seidi Haarla), a Finnish student who has been studying in Moscow. When Laura has the opportunity to explore the petroglyphs of Murmansk, she is willing to leave her lover and set out on her own. However, while making the long trek on a train through Russia’s frontier, she is disappointed to share her tiny compartment with Ljoha (Yuriy Borisov), a gruff Russian mine worker who has little interest in making Laura’s trip a comfortable one.

Directed by Juho Kuosmanen, Compartment No. 6 is a quiet but passionate character journey into the harsh Russian winter. Filmed almost entirely on an actual train, Kuosmanen makes good use of the claustrophobia atmosphere. Tight hallways, limited spaces (like the repeated use of the dining car) and tiny compartments all highlight the awkward tension that exists between characters who cannot escape one another. As such, Kuosmanen manages to put a much stronger emphasis on the immediacy of the moment that his characters are facing. Although they’d rather be somewhere else—or with someone else—they simply have nowhere to go and must make the best of this together. 

This moment is about survival.

By taking this approach, Kuosmanen must rely on the strength of his cast and thankfully, the chemistry between Haala and Borisov is solid. Both strong performers on their own, putting the two of them together provides the driving force for the film and provides some truly wonderful moments. As Laura, Haarla provides an innocence and intelligence that offsets the harsh exterior of her travel partner. Even so, Borisov never allows Ljoha to feel entirely inaccessible, despite his struggles. Within his character, there is a fear of connection that drives him until Haala eventually draws it out of him. 

Thrown together out of sheer coincidence, Laura and Ljoha have little in common and struggle to communicate. Broken-hearted because of the separation from her lover, Laura remains focused in her drive to see the famed petroglyphs. At the same time, Ljoha has no such drive or passion, focused only on surviving until his destination. Clutching her camcorder for the memories it contains, she clings to the past while he remains locked into the present. 

Regardless of their differences though, a certain sense of comradery develops between them. Laura’s welcoming spirit cracks Ljoha frozen heart. At the same time, Ljoha becomes an encouragement to Laura about her mission and even provides help in accomplishing her goals. Though their time together is brief and their knowledge of each other is limited, the connection that they share is very real.

As a result, Compartment speaks to the people who leave an impact on our lives in unexpected moments. Laura and Ljoha only spend a fraction of their life together, yet they value those moments. A deep affection develops between the two unexpected adventurers where they seem devoted to one another yet also remain individuals. (It’s also worth noting that their relationship is surprisingly non-sexual, as any sort of advancement in that area seems to threaten what develops between them.) Although this one train ride is only a portion of their lives, the effect that they have left on each other will endure.

Charming and enjoyable, Compartment No. 6 is a wonderful character drama with some surprising twists along the way. Anchored by a fascinating duo in Haarla and Borisov, the film is a testament to the fact that the moments we share with one another need not be significant in order to leave a significant impact.

Because you never know what might come around.

Compartment No. 6 is available in theatres on Friday, February 11th, 2022.

8.12 Behind the Image in THE POWER OF THE DOG

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In Jane Campion’s THE POWER OF THE DOG, Benedict Cumberbatch plays gruff cowboy, Phil Burbank. After his brother returns with a new wife and son, Phil does his best to put on a show of toxic masculinity and dominance, even as his conflicted soul suffers underneath. This week, Seeing & Believing‘s Kevin McLenithan and author Wade Bearden stop by to talk about hiding behind the image and showing our dark side.

(Note: This episode was recorded as part of our ‘Best Movie Moments of 2021’ and re-edited as a standalone. You can watch our Top Movie Moments episode here.)

You can watch the episode on YouTube and stream on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify, iHeart Radio or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can downoad the ep on Apple Podcasts!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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Julia: For the Love of Cooking

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Some people love cooking while others cook for the sake of love.

Beginning with her conservative childhood, the new documentary Julia explores the life and love of television icon, Julia Child. After her time in the military, Child married and moved to France. It was here that her life was changed forever. From her first meal in a Parisian restaurant, she knew that she would ‘never turn back’. Enrolling in Paris’ Le Cordon Bleu, Child’s passion became creating quality meals in the home and passing that knowledge onto others. With her distinctive voice and bubbly personality, she quickly became an unlikely television star at age 50 but, in doing so, also found herself battling the gender barriers of the time.

Practically perfect in its tone and execution, Julia is a heartwarming and sweet film with a little bit of extra space added in. Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West (RBG), Julia demonstrated the life and impact of a woman who may be misunderstood by many. At first glance, Child may appear to represent an era dominated by toxic masculinity as the stereotypical ‘woman cooking in the kitchen’. However, Julia’s exceptional storytelling paints a very different picture of her by shining a light on her rebellious and courageous spirit.

With enthusiasm and energy, the film celebrates Child’s desire to break down gender barriers by using her platform in the kitchen as a symbol of equality. For example, when she began her career, her presence was considered controversial due to the fact that most French kitchens were dominated by men. As she began her culinary education, her presence was not welcomed by the men in her peer group. Even so, she persisted, demanding that they view her as one of their own. In this way, Child became one of the first feminists to break through in an industry dominated by men. She was passionate about women’s rights reproductive and was fierce in the board room. Though she was brought up in a staunchly Conservative home, she challenged people to discuss issues difficult topics such as sexuality at a time when it was not considered ‘proper’ to do so. By way of her refusal to be treated differently, Child quickly became an advocate for women everywhere.

With charm and intellect, Child had the unique ability to make the complex seem simple and, in doing so, changed the way that people viewed meal preparation. During an era when TV dinners and convenience dominated the home, Child suggested that anyone could cook and wanted to empower them to do so. Like the French masters that taught her, she understood that the ability to prepare a meal was not only an art form. It was also a celebration of life. What’s more, she also believed that cooking was not merely a necessity but a pleasure and a delight. Inspired by the deep love that she had for her husband, Child believed that cooking was one of the best ways that a person could make a home healthy. (Incidentally, her philosophy of the ‘Three F’s’ is surprisingly hilarious.) For Julia, one cooked for others as an expression of love, not merely obligation.

There was a joy of creation within it that she wanted all to experience.

In the end, Julia is an absolutely delightful meal for the senses. With sizzle and fun, the film is an utter celebration of a woman who’s impact on the industry changed the way that the world understood the kitchen. Even so, her greatest contribution lay beyond the cutting boards and sauce pans. Instead, Julia reveals that Child’s strength and determination were her true superpower as she also fought to open doors for women everywhere.

Julia is now playing in select theatres.

The Power of the Dog: Poisonous Image and Personal Courage

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Trying to maintain an image can be exhausting. In The Power of the Dog though, we see that trying to live up to public expectations can also kill the soul.

Although they have built a successful ranch together, brothers George and Phil Burbank could not be more different. Elder brother Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) maintains a rough and dirty exterior who consistently praises his masculine mentor, Bronco Bill. Meanwhile, George (Jesse Plemons) is a sensitive soul who wants to be a part of the cultural elite. When George meets Rose (Kirsten Dunst), he is immediately smitten by her. After they wed, he welcomes his new bride and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) back to the ranch. However, as family secrets begin to surface, tensions between Phil, Rose and Peter begin to rise, threatening the family dynamics.

Directed by Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog is a return to form for the director. In her first directorial effort since 2009’s Bright Star, Campion’s latest is a stirring character drama that operates on a slow burn amidst the heat of the desert. Bleaching the screen with pale, warm colours, Campion uses the land to visually display the emotional dryness that her characters are experiencing. Although they live and work in this land, this is a place of death and parchedness of the soul.  

Led by a cast that includes Dunst, Smit-McPhee and the always rock-solid Plemons, it should be no surprise that Dog features some great work from everyone involved. However, the most noteworthy performance comes from Cumberbatch who absolutely transforms himself as Phil. Known for his affable charm and smile, Cumberbatch fully leans into the sexually-confused curmudgeon that he plays and offers one of his best and most unique performances. Although Phil maintains a rough exterior, Cumberbatch also manages to break through his beastliness and infuses his character with humility and even fear. 

Somewhat unexpectedly, the film takes its title from Psalm 22:20 but the allegory becomes quite appropriate. In this particular Biblical passage, psalmist David is mourning that his life is under constant attack from his enemies. Crying out to God for salvation, he pleads “Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.” There is an anguish and anxiety that pervades this passage that reveals the fear of its author at the hands of his adversaries. As a result, Campion subtly uses this text to establish the sort of inner suffering that her characters experience, especially Phil Burbank.

While the ‘gay cowboy’ trope has admittedly become a cinematic staple since Brokeback Mountain broke down barriers, Power of the Dog is more of an exploration of masculine culture than it is a love story. Set at a time when gender roles were supposed to be clearly defined, Dog speaks to the damage that can be done to the soul when who we really are fails to meet those expectations. In almost every case, the characters within this film have an image that they seek to maintain. George insists on giving the impression that he is of high society. Rose desperately wants to keep people from seeing her alcoholism. Most importantly though, Phil is a brute who desperately seeks to cover up his own homosexuality. Here, every primary character is living some form of lie that prevents them from being who they fully are.

As a result, in an interesting twist, the most powerful character in the film may actually be the one who is perceived to be the weakest. As a young artist who dresses flamboyantly, Peter is looked down upon by the brutish cowboys that work on the ranch. However, he is also the only one who is not trying to hide who he really is. Comfortable in his own skin, Pete dresses how he likes and is willing to stand out of the crowd. 

Peter’s self-empowerment draws Phil’s attention with an ire that stems from admiration. In other words, although Phil begins by bullying the young man, its fairly easy to tell that these aggressive acts are merely over-compensation and rooted in his own envy of Peter’s confidence. For his entire life, Phil has admired his idol, Bronco Bill for the power and masculine dominance that he demonstrated. Staring off into the mountains for the proverbial dog, Phil recognizes that his life means more than what others can see yet he seems powerless to experience it. However, in Pete, Phil discovers a wholeness and sense of self that creates a new form of respect in him. 

Whereas Phil remains trapped within his own harsh image, Pete is free to be himself. 

With heat and affection, Campion’s Power of the Dog is a subversive examination of masculine stereotypes and their toxic effect on the soul. By subverting the tropes of the western genre, she opens a space for conversation surrounding what it means to lean into who you really are, even if it defies expectations of the dominant culture.

The Power of the Dog is available in theatres on Friday, November 17thth, 2021 and will make its debut on Netflix on December 1st, 2021.

8.06 Digging Around in DUNE

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Thought to be ‘unfilmable’ by many, Denis Villeneuve may have done the impossible in bringing Frank Herbert’s DUNE to life on the big screen. With stunning cinematography and solid storytelling, Villeneuve has managed to take the massive scope and size of Herbert’s classic sci-fi work and make it accessible to wider audiences. This week, Dave Voigt (InTheSeats.ca) and newcomer Steve Mah (Negating Silence) come together to discuss why they think DUNE is resonating with audiences and what it means to give up control.

You can watch the episode on YouTube and stream on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify, Google Play or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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The Electrical Life of Louis Wain: Caring and Connecting Through Cats

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Whether or not you consider yourself a ‘cat person’, there’s something electrical about the life of Louis Wain.

Set in Victorian London of the 1880s, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain tells the story of Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), an academy-trained artist who earns his keep by drawing portraits of animals from the county fair. Living with his mother and five younger sisters, Wain was committed to supporting his family yet constantly seemed to find himself at odds with the rest of society. However, his demeanor changes when he hires Emily Richardson (Claire Foy), a loving and inquisitive governess to care for his sisters. Despite their class differences, romance blooms between them. As such, their relationship frustrates his sister Caroline (Andrea Riseborough), causing tension within the family structure.

Directed by Will Sharpe, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is an engaging and heart-warming piece that celebrates one of arts most unique voices in the last 150 years. While the structure follows standard biopic structure, Sharpe’s use of colour helps give the film a very different style that blends reality with the art world itself. Backed by another all-around solid performance by Cumberbatch, Louis Wain feels surprisingly earnest for a film that focuses on a man that spent much of his life painting cats. Nevertheless, there’s something joyful embedded within the film that simply charms (and even makes you appreciate cats a little bit more).

It’s worth noting that Cumberbatch is having somewhat of a moment in his career this year. With Oscar buzz regarding his performance in The Power of the Dog and his upcoming appearance in this December’s Spider-man: No Way Home, his name is everywhere right now. However, in Louis Wain, Cumberbatch gives one of his most delightful performances in recent years. When given the opportunity, Cumberbatch can either sparkle or simmer and Sharpe’s script gives him the opportunity to do both. Although the subject matter may seem odd at first, the story allows him to show his range from silliness and flamboyance to idiosyncratic to quiet pensiveness. In light of this, while Dog is gaining much of the awards attention thus far, Louis Wain may be a better showcase for his incredible talents.

There’s simply a beauty in this story that blends the energy of art leading into the everyday. Through his use of brightly coloured matte paintings and filtered shades, Sharpe plays with reality consistently and thoroughly throughout the film. There is a moment early on where light hits a prism, allowing colour to burst forth everywhere. As this blast of colour brightens up the room, so too does Sharpe use this to become an accurate depiction of the life of Louis Wain himself. In many ways, he was a man who saw the ordinary and extraordinary ways. Although social conventions forbid it, he decided to marry a woman who is both older than him and of a lower class. At a time when cats were seen as common trash, he viewed them as treasured pets. His life was one that sparked a unique flavor of joy, even if it went against the customs of the day.

At the same time though, Louis Wain was a man who carried an incredible burden underneath the surface. Although those around him primarily focused on his idiosyncrasies, there was a much deeper resonance within his soul. Despite the fact that much of his art focused on cats, he himself had a profoundly unique way of viewing the culture of his day. Primarily, Louis Wain saw the world through relationship. It’s worth noting that the ‘electricity’ to which the title refers is not about a scientific experiment but instead points to those things that bind and connect us. Wain could feel the energy in the room and believed that that was the currency of life. In fact, his love of cats stemmed from his belief that they were creatures of energy and eclecticism that was a spark to the human experience. Like his feline artistic muses, he too carried an energy that was misunderstood by those around him. Even if he was the only one in the world who felt this way, Louis Wain understood the power of relationship and the vibrancy that can enliven people who are loved by others.

With a strangely cryptic title and enthusiastic adoration of cats, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is an unexpected joy that speaks to the value of everyone, especially the outcasts. By giving himself the freedom to bring Wain’s art to life, Sharpe creates a world that is energized by its style and invigorated by its star. In the end, Louis Wain becomes a film which begins with a love of cats and ends with a deeper appreciation for those around us. 

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is be available in theatres on Friday, November 5th, 2021.

I’m Your Man: Digital Dating and Loving Lavishly

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You can’t buy love. But can you build it?

Set in the present day, I’m Your Man tells the story of Alma (Maren Eggert), a scientist who is offered a job evaluating a new line of humanoid companions. After her boss manages to convince her with some mild bribery, Alma agrees to bring the cybernetic Tom (Dan Stevens) into her home for a period of three weeks in order to ascertain their value as romantic mates and potentially the rights they deserve sociologically. Although she’s skeptical (and even resistant), Tom never wavers from his desire to make her happy, forcing Alma to re-examine what she believes to be the nature of love.

Co-written and directed by Maria Schrader, I’m Your Man is a fun and philosophical film that asks some big questions in surprising ways. While the film could potentially unravel due to its high concepts, the film manages to sell its premise and draw the audience in with genuine affection. Admittedly, much of the film’s effectiveness is largely due to the utter charisma of Stevens, who sells Tom with such adorable charisma that you never really question the fact that this woman in this robot seem to be falling in love. (In fact, in the film’s greatest achievement, you’re even rooting for them as a couple.)

At the same time, this is very much a film that wants to explore what love actually means. While the film acknowledges the social implications and dangers of becoming too obsessed with items which aren’t authentic, there is a charm that plays out in this relationship as well. Can a person love a thing as much as it does another human? In truth, this could be argued that this is already the case. If the act of love involves in our investment of time, than where we put our focus should be indicative of what we care most about. For example, rather than invest in our in-person relationships, we frequently spend our days connecting more deeply with our cell phones then we do with those around us. While it seems counter-intuitive, the nature of love has never necessitated that our hearts focus on another living person. (After all, didn’t one say that the ‘love of money is a root of all kinds of evil’?) If love is based on an emotional attachment (even an unhealthy one), I’m Your Man wants to investigate the boundaries of that argument.

What’s most interesting about Alma is that her relationship with Tom truly is beneficial to her soul. When she’s with him, she feels safer and she is more in touch with her own feelings. Because of his programming, Tom will always be affectionate, caring and instill emotional value into Alma. Starved for healthy friendships that encourage and empower, her time with Tom fills her with a security and joy that she is unable to find with others. In short, Tom makes Alma happy (“Isn’t being happy a good thing?” Tom asks repeatedly) As a result, the film makes a compelling argument for this type of connection, one without flaws or missteps.

However, as she grows closer to her robotic companion, Alma recognizes that loving an object has become a primarily selfish act. She’s not wrong in this conclusion. The type of love that has been programmed into Tom is one that allows its owner to focus entirely on being told how wonderful they are. Rather than challenge them towards personal growth, this romance becomes entirely self-validating and one-sided. The healthiest relationships ask both parties to offer grace to their spouse while, at the same time, accepting grace from them. There is an unconditional give and take to love that acknowledges imperfections in both partners and says that they are acceptable to them anyways. 

Last time I checked, my iPhone can’t do that. (Though maybe there’s an app for that.)

Surprisingly witty and compelling, I’m Your Man is a strange blend of sci-fi and romance that absolutely makes you fall in love with its charms. Thanks to a delightful performance by Stevens and some compelling conversations about the true nature of love, the film surprisingly manages to sweep you off your feet while also forcing you to re-examine your priorities.

Now, back to checking my notifications.

I’m Your Man premiered at TIFF ’21 on Monday, September 13th, 2021

Night Raiders: The Future is History

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Set in the year 2043, Night Raiders takes place in a world where disenfranchised cities in post-war North America are controlled by a maniacal military organization called The Emerson Group. Under their regime, children are considered property of the State and forced into their children’s academy. Having been on the run for years, Niska (Elle-Maija Tailfeathers) and her 11-year-old daughter, Waseese (Brooklyn Letexier-Hart) have managed to stay under the radar by keeping a low profile. However, after Waseese is captured by The Emerson Group, Niska connects with an underground band of vigilantes and joins in their plot to infiltrate the facility and free her daughter.

Written and directed by Danis Goulet, Night Raiders is a sci-fi film with a historical edge. Co-produced by Taika Waititi, there’s a fire to this film that demands attention.  Sharply written and executed, Raiders is an entertaining thrill ride from start to finish. More importantly though, Goulet brings a unique voice into the science fiction genre that allows her to tackle Indigenous stories in a way that connects with everyone. Though its set in the world of sci-fi, Night Raiders still resonates with the real world. Goulet has created a tale that maintains a certain distance from its subject matter yet still feels powerful and poignant. Intense and engaging, Goulet creates a compelling metaphor for the pain of a people group that have often been silenced and ignored. As such, despite the fact that it takes place 20 years into the future, its themes feel current and important in today’s cultural conversations surrounding the history of Indigenous peoples.

Though its set in the world of sci-fi, Night Raiders still resonates with the real world. Intense and engaging, Goulet creates a compelling piece that expresses the pain of a people group that have often been silenced and ignored. As a metaphor for the poisonous environment of residential schools and their effect on the Indigenous communities, Raiders leans into the concept of erasure. With an emphasis on controlling the population, the Emerson Group longs to build a country built on the backs of sameness. As captives, children are indoctrinated into a neutralized culture. Dressing their children in gray tones and keeping them in white cages, Emerson brainwashes their conscripted children with phrasing of dedication to the cause. Colour is eliminated wherever possible with the hope of creating the sense of a unified society. As their indoctrination takes hold, the memories and livelihoods of these children are erased at the hands of the Emerson psychological machine. Similar to the leadership which tormented the children of residential schools, the Emerson Group is concerned only with eliminating differences for the sake of their own ideologies. (It’s also worth noting that everyone who represents Emerson is white while children and families who are subject to their cruelty are all visible minorities.)

With an eye on history, Raiders also very much looks towards the present and the future by speaking into the challenges of breaking free. Although Niska is challenged to step up and take command, her years of oppression keep her under a blanket of fear. Having been stuck under the weight of the Emerson tyranny for so long, she is reluctant to join in the fight against them. Although she yearns for her daughter’s freedom, she believes that the revolution is not her battle. (After all, what can she do about it?) In this way, Niska’s struggle mirrors our current culture as Indigenous populations are being called to step forward and share their stories of suffering. With every traumatic tale that is told, the truth about systemic oppression continues to come to light, allowing for change. However, this bearing of souls is always a challenge, especially after years of psychological oppression. As such, Niska’s journey also resonates at a time when the Indigenous population has finally found the courage to speak out against those that have hurt them in the past.

At the same time, Goulet also demonstrates what’s at stake when she highlights the power of the children themselves. Whereas adults have the opportunity to fight the today’s battles, Raiders acknowledges that their struggle will allow the next generation to have a greater understanding of justice and equity for the future. Although the children require rescue at the hands of the Emerson Group, the film also points to the fact that there is a strength within them that bodes well for future generations. As a result, Goulet balances Raiders with dual perspectives by examining the importance of both an adult awakening and children uprising.

For Goulet, both generations are needed because both voices matter.

To hear our interview with director Danis Goulet & Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, click here (audio) and here (YouTube).

Night Raiders premiered at TIFF and is available in theatres on Friday, October 8th, 2021.

8.01 Writing Back to DEAR EVAN HANSEN

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Directed by Stephen Chbosky, DEAR EVAN HANSEN tells the story of a young man who write letters to himself in order to provide a way of dealing with his mental health issues. However, when one of his letters is mistaken for the last words of another teen who takes his own life, Evan finds himself trapped in a lie that deceives the youth’s family and his friends. This week, the Movies You Missed crew convene to dig into EVAN HANSEN’s moral compass, the film’s depiction of mental health and who they believe the true villain of the film may be.

You can watch the episode on YouTube and stream on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify, Google Play or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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