Region: NT
The Lesser Blessed
Anita Doron explores questions of identity, ancestry and belonging in this sensitive and tender coming-of-age story that is brought to life by the powerful performance of Evans. The film premiered to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was nominated for four awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Canadian Screen Awards.
"An impressive debut by Evans, whose brown eyes are both soulful and watchful. It's a performance that commands our attention and empathy." - Bruce Demara, The Toronto Star
Director
Anita Doron
Doron is a director, writer, and producer whose work includes several shorts, including Not a Fish Story, The Impresario, C’est Mimi!, and Seven Sins: Lust, and the features The End of Silence; Europa, East; Mystico Fantástico!; and The Lesser Blessed. She also co-wrote the animated feature The Breadwinner (which won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Adapted Screenplay) and the digital series Signal to Noise.
Writer
Anita Doron
Cast
Chloe Rose, Kiowa Gordon, Benjamin Bratt, Joel Evans
Producer
Christina Provesan
Genre
Drama
Interest
Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The Sun at Midnight
After her mother dies, 16-year-old "urban princess" Lia (Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs – who won an award at the Whistler Film Festival for her performance) is sent to spend the summer with her Gwich’in grandmother in a small community in the far north. Desperate to get back to city life, she steals a boat and heads south.
As might be expected, she quickly gets lost, and is soon discovered by Alfred (Howard), a Gwich’in hunter who reluctantly helps her navigate the unfamiliar wilderness. Set in the stunning landscape of the Arctic Circle, this charming coming of age drama tells the story of the unlikely friendship that arises between them.
"A truly inspirational masterpiece that I hope everyone has a chance to see." – Blake Priddle, CKLB Radio
Director
Kirsten Carthew
Carthew is a filmmaker, writer and producer who wrote, directed, and produced the feature films The Sun at Midnight and Polaris, both of which won Best Picture at the Reel 2 Reel International Film Festival for Youth. She also directed the short films Fish Out of Water, The Sex Lives of Librarians, Abe & Alfred, and Taken, and executive produced the feature Elijah and the Rock Creature.
Writer
Kirsten Carthew
Cast
William Greenland, Mark Anderako, Sarah Jerome, Duane Howard (Nuu-chah-nulth), Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk)
Producers
Amos Scott (Dene), Kirsten Carthew
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama
Interest
Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Jill and Jackfish Productions