Saying, Affirming, Revealing : five films of cultural (re)appropriation

As part of National Indigenous History Month.

For the past few years, Indigenous directors and producers have been using animation to convey their values, their concerns and their imagination. Moreover, the disastrous consequences of colonialism are more and more often, and rightly so, denounced in remarkable films. 

This program of five short animated films allows us to take the measure of this new trend which increases the spectrum of animation cinema with strong, singular and committed voices.

Presented by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in collaboration with the Sommets du cinéma d’animation de Montréal

Line-up ( length 58 min) :

•   Meneath: The Hidden Island of Ethics

Terril Calder, Canada, 2021, 19 min

Meneath: The Hidden Island of Ethics charts a challenging journey for a precocious Métis baby girl as she contemplates her path to Hell.  (Special Jury Prize – École NAD-UQAC, Sommets du cinéma d’animation 2022.)

•   Premonition: On the Eve of Signing Treaty 6

Barry Blinsky, Canada, 2021, 4 min

On the eve of the signing of Treaty 6, a Cree Elder has a premonition about the future.

•   Angakuksajaujuq – The Shaman’s Apprentice

Zacharias Kunuk, Canada, 2021, 21 min

Angakuksajaujuq : The Shaman’s Apprentice tells the story of a young shaman in training who must face her first test — a trip underground to visit Kannaaluk, The One Below. FIPRESCI AWARD – ANNECY 2021; THE GUY-L.-COTÉ GRAND PRIZE FOR THE BEST ANIMATED FILM, SOMMETS DU CINÉMA D’ANIMATION 2022.

•   Kapaemahu

Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, États-Unis, 2020, 8 min

Kapaemahu reveals the hidden history of four healing stones on Waikiki Beach, and the legendary transgender spirits within them.

•   Annah la Javanaise

Fatima Tobing Rony, Indonésie, 2020, 6 min.

In 1893, a 13-year-old girl comes to work for French painter Paul Gauguin as his maid and model. They called her Annah la Javanaise. This is a reimagining of her story.