By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Marie Clements
Starring: Alyssa Wapanatâhk | Grace Dove | Karine Vanasse | Phillip Lewitski | Rémy Girard
Country: canada
Year: 2022
Running time: 124
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21342838/reference/
Brett says: “Sometimes the power and outreach of an artistic venture is more important than the attempt to measure or ‘rate’ the art within. BONES OF CROWS is a timely piece that narrates intergenerational tragedy after tragedy among a family of the Cree nation. During the pandemic, the stories of residential schools in Canada and the discovery of mass graves at or near the schools made headlines. This feature from director Marie Clements roots itself in those residential school experiences and blossoms into a wide-ranging exposure of the mistreatment of Cree and other indigenous groups in the country.
“The film is banner for resilience among the oppressed still living with the effects of these government-led and church-affiliated attempts at cultural erasure. Despite the strength on display from a number of characters, the deep-seeded trauma is equally featured.
“Many viewers able to detach themselves from the difficult truths contained within the film may find some of the performances and dialogue exchanges strained. But the overall ambition behind providing a voice for the voiceless can surely be appreciated on a holistic level. While some of the technical composition of it may be flawed at times, it is still a tragic and powerful story that needed to be told. 3 cats out of 5“