The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and Urban Shaman join forces with Cinematheque to present a selection of new works by Aboriginal women directors. Now, more than ever before, Indigenous female filmmakers worldwide are using moving image as an essential storytelling tool. In the past decade alone, great strides have been made in contemporary Aboriginal cinema, creating greater opportunities for emerging women directors to realize their vision.
Michelle Latimer (Métis) is an award-winning filmmaker, producer and actor. Latimer is a programmer at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, and is a senior programmer for the Hot Docs International Film Festival.
The Gift, dir. Terril Calder 2011, Canada, 2 min.
Arresting and intelligent, director Calder uses stop motion animation to explore the deadly legacy of betrayal wrapped up neatly in a Hudson Bay Blanket.
December 6th, dir. Cara Mumford, 2010, Canada, 9.5 min.
Clever and uncompromising, this spoken word tour-de-force recalls the events of the Montreal massacre at L’ecole Polytechnique, making a bold statement for the abolishment of violence against women.
Parkdale, dir. Lisa Jackson, 2011, Canada, 16 min.
Director Jackson crafts an intimate account of two sisters running from abuse and neglect in this heartbreaking glimpse into the vulnerable lives of those who exist between the cracks of society.
Kwoni, dir. Caroline Monnet, 2010, Canada, 2:50 min.
A young aboriginal man’s thoughts and emotions iterate his personal growth through this lyrical story.
Déboires, dir. Delia Gunn, 2010, Canada, 3 min.
Delia Gunn blends stop motion animation and personal testimony to create an unflinching and deeply honest portrait of a family embracing hope awhile emerging from the despair of addiction.
Sloth, dir. Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, 2011, Canada, 2 min.
This delightfully satirical animation reveals the evolution of Inuit stereotypes from past to present.
Tunniit: Re-Tracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos, dir. Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, 2010, Canada, 50 min. (English and Inuktitut w/English Subtitles)
Inuit traditional face tattoos have been forbidden for a century, and almost forgotten. Director Arnaquq-Baril with long time friend and activist Aaju Peter are determined to uncover the mystery and meaning behind this beautiful ancient tradition. Together they embark on an adventure through Arctic communities speaking with elders and recording the stories of a once popularized female art.
