By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Cody Lightning
Starring: Adam Beach | Cody Lightning | Conway Kootenay | Hannah Cheesman | Simon Baker
Year: 2024
Running time: 102
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14535612/reference/
Michael says: “Fans of the 1998 Canadian film, SMOKE SIGNALS, will most appreciate this raunchy, irreverent, mockumentary about one minor cast member’s attempt to mount a sequel. Cody Lightning was a young boy when he portrayed Young Victor Joseph, a small role in the beloved film about the friendship and coming of age of a pair of Native Canadians. In the intervening years he has reveled in his belief that he has come to represent a highly recognizable and important figure in Native Canadian culture. He is frequently called out to with a signature (in his mind) line from the original film, ‘Hey, Viktor!’ In order to mount a successful acting career that has been relegated to commercials and occasional appearances in bad television shows, he and his good friend and writing/production partner, Kate, have been trying gather the original cast of SMOKE SIGNALS to shoot a sequel. The problem is, Cody is a bit of an unreliable person who drinks and parties too much, doesn’t follow through with promises, thinks more about himself than the project, and has basically alienated anyone who might have been interested in coming back for a sequel, or support him in his endeavors.
“While the film relies a lot on scatological and cringe humor, and we see a lot more of Cody’s bearish body than we probably need to, it is actually quite funny, and makes some strong points through its satire, on the need and importance of visibility for indigenous people in the media. Cody has no trouble poking fun at himself and his persona, and all the players (including appearances by many of the original cast of SMOKE SIGNALS) are fully engaged in the irreverent mock-umentary – emphasis intentional. It was nice to hear from Cody, as well as co-stars Hannah Cheesman and Simon Baker in the Q&A. 4 cats
“Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Friday, September 8, 2023”