As a nation we will celebrate the achievements of Canada’s Aboriginal people on Sunday June 21, 2015. We are honoured to participate in the celebrations happening across the country by giving prominence to creativity in film and photography.
Join us on Saturday June 20 for a Screening of Trick or Treaty? by acclaimed filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and on Sunday June 21 for a Special Presentation with Ojibway director/artist Keesic Douglas for an installation piece, a curated selection of his short films and a Q & A following the short film presentation.
Saturday June 20, 2015 at 7 pm at Barrie Uptown Theatre
Trick or Treaty?
“As powerful, provocative, and important as any of her previous films, Trick or Treaty? once again demonstrates why Obomsawin is one of our most vital cinematic voices.” – Steve Gravestock, Toronto International Film Festival
In her 43rd film for the National Film Board of Canada, acclaimed filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin (Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance) traces the history of Treaty No. 9, Canada’s 1905 agreement in which First Nations tribes surrendered their sovereign rights. The documentary profiles Indigenous leaders in their quest for justice as they seek to establish dialogue with the Canadian government. By tracing the history of their ancestors since the signing of Treaty No. 9, these leaders aim to raise awareness about issues vital to First Nations in Canada: respect for and protection of their lands and their natural resources, and the right to hunt and fish so that their societies can prosper. In recent years, an awareness-raising movement has been surfacing in First Nations communities. In this powerful documentary, those who refuse to surrender are given a chance to speak out.
Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 3pm, Uptown Theatre
Keesic Douglas: Films Short like Loin Cloths
We are honoured to welcome Ojibway director/artist Keesic Douglas to the Uptown Theatre for an art installation, a curated selection of his short films and a Q & A following the film presentation.
Bear Hunt
2013, 13 minutes, Rated 14A
When a Northern First Nation fears a bear attack, two boys go on a quest to protect themselves. This Film was screened as a part of the 2013 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.
Indian Affairs
2013, 10 minutes, B&W, English
An Aboriginal woman searching for her identity enlists the help of a professional in this homage to film noir detective films. The Maltese Falcon meets Chinatown meets Dances with Wolves meets Rez style.
Rezolution
2008, 9 minutes, B&W, English
Two people meet in a “Rez” style restaurant as dark secrets are revealed, conflicts arise, and peace is made. This film was screened as a part of the 2008 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.
The Vanishing Trace
2007, 10 minutes, B&W, English
The Vanishing Trace follows seven aboriginal people as they tell their stories of times in their lives where they were stereotyped for being “Indian”. This film was screened as a part of the 2007 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.
“This piece was made for my son, a five-year old Ojibway who is starting to face many of the issues that I remember growing up with.” – Keesic Douglas
Additional Information can be found at – http://www.barriefilmfestival.ca/special-presentations