On September 30, Hollywood Suite will present a special day of programming curated to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to celebrate the work of Indigenous filmmakers, performers and artists. With a focus on history and storytelling, this year’s programming includes stories from various Indigenous cultures.
Angela’s Shadow – Broadcast premiere
An award-winning thriller, Angela’s Shadow (2023) follows Angela (Sera-Lys McArthur) and Henry (Matthew Kevin Anderson), an Ottawa couple with a baby, who visit their childhood nanny, Mary (Renae Morriseau), in the Cree community of KiiWeeTin. The night before their departure, a shadow figure harasses Angela. Directed and co-written by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin, the film is set to have its broadcast premiere on Hollywood Suite at 9 pm ET.
In Dr. Koostachin words, “Angela’s Shadow confronts the hidden histories of residential schools through the lens of one family’s story… In honouring Truth and Reconciliation, my hope is that audiences witness not only the pain of these silenced truths, but also the strength of Cree ceremony, kinship, and love that continue to guide our healing.”
Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025
At the core of this year’s programming is APTN’s Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025, a 90-minute multilingual commemorative gathering created in partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada and the Algonquin Nation, broadcast live from Ottawa.
In honour of Survivors, the special pays tribute to the children who never made it home from residential schools in a safe environment for reconciliation and healing. Hosted by Earl Wood and Melissa Molen Dupuis, the special will feature reflections from esteemed Elders and Survivors, as well as moving performances from First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists.
Hye’s Picks: Hollywood Suite’s Programming
Below I list some personal recommendations of films included in the programming.
Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013)
Directed by Jeff Barnaby
Set in 1976 on the fictional Red Crow Mi’kmaq reservation, it takes place in the context of the Canadian residential school system.
The film tells the fictional story of a teenager named Aila (Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs) and her plot for revenge. It is based on the history of abuse of the First Nations people by government agents, including a large number of reported cases of the mental and physical abuse of residential school children.
I have seen this film a few times now and each time, I uncover a new layer. It is visceral but also emotionally rich.
Dance Me Outside (1994)
Directed by Bruce McDonald
It is one of the summer’s last perfect weekends and eighteen-year-old Silas Crow (Ryan Black) is passing the time on his Northern Ontario reservation with his best friend, Frank Fencepost (Adam Beach). Debating with Frank whether they should apply to mechanic school in Toronto or stick close to the rez, Silas is also sparring with his girlfriend Sadie (Jennifer Podemski) and waiting for the wild Gooch (Michael Greyeyes) to return from prison.
I remember seeing this film at a very young age. It introduced me to not only great actors but to a group of young Indigenous characters I had not seen on screen before. Young people making plans for their future only to confront some devastating news. Highly recommend it.
L’Inhumain (2021)
Directed by Jason Brennan
Based on the Algonquin legend of the wendigo, the film stars Samian as Mathieu, a successful but troubled neurosurgeon whose life is falling apart, who confronts a wendigo when he returns to his childhood home of Kitigan Zibi for the first time in decades following his father’s death.
This film played at Toronto’s Blood in the Snow Film Festival (BITS) in 2022. According to the director, L’Inhumain explores a version of the wendigo mythology, that the wendigo is not so much a supernatural being but more the personification of a person’s own inner demons.
s-yéwyáw: Awaken (2023)
Directed by Liz Marshall
This character-driven documentary connects the transformative stories of artist, musician and medicine woman Ecko Aleck of the Nlaka’pamux Nation (Lytton, BC), filmmaker and Traditional Wellness Coordinator Alfonso Salinas of the shíshálh Nation (Sunshine Coast, BC) and storyteller and impact producer Charlene SanJenko of Splatsin of the Secwépemc Nation (Shuswap, BC) as they learn and document the traditional cultural teachings and legacies of their Elders, including the impacts of Canada’s Residential School system.
This film screened at Toronto’s Planet in Focus Film Festival in 2023. I had the opportunity to meet Alfonso Salinas and Liz Marshall. We had a great conversation about their working in community to make this film. You can find my notes and interview with Alfonso and Liz here.
All films featured in Hollywood Suite’s programming are also available on demand.
Hollywood Suite is available in Canada exclusively through Canadian television service providers and Amazon Prime Video Channels. Visit hollywoodsuite.ca for more information.
