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Native filmmakers bring myths, legends and modern day tales to the screen in a selection of delightful live-action and animated short films. Colorful puppets guide a Navajo sheepdog who’s lost his flock in Run Red Walk (2011), crayon drawings come to life in Christmas at Moose Factory (1971) and Cree children frolic at a winter festival in Wapos Bay: “There’s No I In Hockey” (2005).
Little Thunder (2009)
Directed by Nance Ackerman, Alan Syliboy.
Vibrantly colorful animation brings to life a cross-country canoe trip, inspired by the Mi’kmaq legend The Stone Canoe.
National Film Board of Canada, Animiki See Digital Production. Producer: Annette Clarke. Screenwriter: Nance Ackerman, Alan Syliboy.
DigiBeta, color, 3 min
Run Red Walk: A Navajo Sheepdog (2011)
Directed by Melissa Henry. Red Ant Films.
A live action tale of a Navajo sheepdog who has lost his flock, and is guided back to them by a chorus of charmingly fanciful puppets.
Producer: Alfredo Pérez. Screenwriter/Cinematographer: Melissa Henry. Editor: Alfredo Pérez, Melissa Henry. Cast: Rita Henry, Johnny Henry, Melissa Henry.
BluRay, color, in Navajo with English subtitles, 16 min
Stories From the Seventh Fire: Why the Rabbit Turns White (1998)
Designs by renowned Ojibway artist Norval Morrisseau form the visual basis for recounting the tale of Cree trickster Wesakechak and the brave rabbit who helps him, in this selection from the series.
Canadian Television Fund. Producer: Gregory Coyes, Ava Karvonen, Gerri Cook. Screenwriter: Gregory Coyes.
BetaSP, color, 13 min
Netshishkatutau (The Encounter) (2008)
Directed by Marie-Ève Aster. Wapikoni Mobile.
Innu filmmaker Marie-Ève Aster animates an Elder’s story of a meeting in the wildness during a time of hardship,
DigiBeta, color, in Innu with English subtitles, 4 min
Tshitashun (Number) (2008)
Directed by James Picard. Wapikoni Mobile.
Residents of Betsiamites, an Innu community in Quebec, demonstrate with humor why they count in French instead of Innu.
Cinematographer: James Picard, Paul Rivet.
DigiBeta, color, in Innu with English subtitles, 4 min
If You Want to Get Married...You Have to Learn How to Build and Igloo! (2011)
Directed by Allen Auksaq.
A physical demonstration of the knowledge passed down through community traditions is manifest in this snowy, sunny, inside-and-out observation of the construction of the traditional Inuit home.
National Film Board of Canada. Screenwriter/Cinematographer/Editor: Allen Auksaq. Cast: Dean Ittuksarjuat.
HDCAM, color, 5 min
Christmas at Moose Factory (1971)
Directed by Alans Obomsawin.
Community, place, and traditions are celebrated in Alanis Obomsawin’s enchanting first film, which crafts an indelible portrait of the winter holiday in the Ontario community of Moose Factory through the voices and crayon drawings of children.
National Film Board of Canada. Screenwriter: Alans Obomsawin.
DigiBeta, color, 13 min
Wapos Bay: There's No "I" in Hockey (2005)
Directed by Dennis Jackson.
In this award-winning stop-motion animated program, three Cree children learn important lessons about sharing, cooperation, and hockey during the Wapos Bay winter festival.
Dark Thunder Productions Inc., National Film Board of Canada. Producer: Dennis Jackson, Melanie Jackson, Anand Ramayya, Michael Scott. Screenwriter: Dennis Jackson. Cinematographer: Paul Suderman. Editor: Jennifer Prokop. Cast: Gordon Tootoosis, Raven Brass, Taylor Cook, Eric Johnson, Krystle Pederson.
DigiBeta, color, 24 min
Total running time: approx. 82 min.
Note: recommended for ages 4+
This event is also a part of the Family Flicks screening series.
