Demonstration of Indianness #31

2012 imagineNATIVE Trailer!

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is an international festival that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples on the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio, and new media. Each fall, the festival presents a selection of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe.… Read more

Demonstration of Indianness #31 is a short experimental film based on old home movies that the artist's grandfather shot in the 50's. The film is as much a portrait of a struggle and a declaration of identity, as it is a questioning into the history of documentation and anthropology.

Filmmaker: Adam Garnet Jones

Filmmaker Contact:

During the 1950's famine in the Canadian Arctic, Kikkik, an Inuk woman killed a man in self defense and them found herself in the position of having to leave 2 of her 5 children on the tundra. She was tried for murder and criminal negligence and subsequently acquitted. Written by Elisapee Karetak, one of Kikkik's daughters.

Filmmaker: Martin Kreelak

'Meskanahk' is a video narrative of a young 'half-breed' man's journey off a Cree reserve. This video highlights the motivations that progressed his journey and the questions, regrets and fears raised on his path from childhood to adulthood.… Read more

This B-movie inspired flick stars Valerie Buhagiar ('Roadkill', 'Highway 61') in a tongue-in-cheek look at the influence media has on public opinion.

Filmmaker: Gail Maurice

Year of Production: 2004

Distributor Information:

Finding "the One" can be a moving experience. But is it meant to last forever or is it all in your head?

A musician, filmmaker, and a bank robber hang out together for a day on an island. Music by Juno award Winner Derek Miller.

Filmmaker: Derek Miller

Year of Production: 2009

Country: Canada

Fifteen-year-old Marnie has to grow up too fast in a small country town.

Filmmaker: Beck Cole

Producer's Name: Rachel Perkins and Darren Dale

Year of Production: 2002

Country: Australia

You ever want to hire a real-life soundtrack to follow you about? The Squeeze Box is a film-noir love poem about a hitman that hires a mute accordion player to follow him around and be his real-life soundtrack.

Filmmaker: Shane Belcourt & Duane Murray

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The thing about history is it's in the past. In the present, history can be as malleable as soft butter. Somewhere between truth and fiction are the things that could and maybe did happen. If you weren't there, how do you know for sure. This film reveals a unique piece of Métis history.… Read more

This film is about rebirth - a young man coming to grips with his past and trying to change the future. This film takes place mostly in his jail cell as he burns Indian medicine for strength. While the medicine burns and smoke comes up from a wooden smudge bowl he reflects on his past.… Read more

Su Naa is a journey of resolve on an emotional landscape of grief. A sister tries to resolve her guilt in order to recover the happiness of the last night shared with her brother before he is killed in a tragic accident. The audience is taken through this journey of resolve on an emotional landscape of grief.

Filmmaker: Helen Haig-Brown

Painterly and reverent documentation of painted horses and voicemail create a personal glimpse into the social life of part of the artist's (Cree) community in Edmonton - as well as her/the 'technically expanded' international community of the aboriginal media art world.… Read more

A young girl leads her father through his dark depression. Premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Nominated for best live short at the American Indian Film Festival. Shot in Six Nations, Ontario.

Filmmaker: Zoe Leigh Hopkins

Filmmaker Contact:

zhopkins@telus.net

Producer's Name: Zoe Leigh Hopkins

Described as grotesquely humorous these three stories exemplify the hardships of life in early canada. Murder, disabled chickens and a cross dresser - everything you need for a true Canadian story. Shot on the Fisher Price pixelvision camcorder this film resembles a nightmare caught on a surveilance camera.… Read more