In a famine-decimated near future, Hailey Freeman and her family struggle to safeguard their generational farm as they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres.

Setting the Scene

Set in a not-so-distant future where the only measure of wealth is owning land and food production, we meet Hailey Freeman (Danielle Deadwyler) an African American military veteran, must protect her family in the aftermath of a pandemic that collapsed the global food chain and threatens to envelop her farm in rural Canada.

Hailey’s family are part of the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in rural Canada in 1875, after the first Civil War. After father was murdered, she developed a serious mistrust for anyone outside her immediate family. The only exception is fellow are vet Augusta Taylor (Elizabeth Saunders), who helped her rebuild the farm after her loss, and her Indigenous partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes).

Together, Galen and Hailey are raising a blended family with daughters Raine (Leenah Robinson) Cookie (Haile Amere), Danis (Jaeda Lebanc) and their teenage son, Emmanuel (Kataem O’Connor). In their daily routine, the family can go from tending to the land and crops to having to fight off intruders who are eager to take over the farm. Although it seems like a ‘tough’ and regimented life, this is a very close-knit family. The parents have great communication and respect for each other and the kids as well. Everyone knows their respective role.

Emmanuel being the eldest is given a few more freedoms, such as patrolling and leaving the property. On one of his outings, he sees a young woman, Dawn Clever (Milcania Diaz-Rojas), from a distant property whose farm is full of life. His curiosity is piqued and he tries to figure out ways to see her again.

With attacks on surrounding farms becoming more frequent, Emmanuel discovers the same girl injured and attempts to keep her hidden from his shoot-first-ask-questions-later mother. As the attacks intensify, Hailey and Galen make a plan to separate into teams and patrol the area. Emmanuel is determined to help Dawn but they get found out by Hailey. This sets the stage for an major clash between mother and son.

A lot unfolds from this point on that will have an impact on the family’s survival. With their birthright in the balance, they must come together to fight against this ravenous militia ready to claim their land.

Hye’s Thougths On The Film

In 40 Acres, R.T. Thorne sets to deal with the universal themes of xenophobia, fear, and generational trauma through the lens of a future where trust is almost non-existent.

The film’s title, 40 Acres, refers to the historic promise of land ownership made by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman on January 16, 1865, to formerly enslaved Black farmers. The promise was reversed during the Reconstruction era. In this film, it makes Hailey Freeman and her family the last descendants of generational African American farmers who settled in Canada after the Civil War.

In his notes, Thorne explains he wanted to give us a blended Black and Indigenous family fighting for survival. Clearly defining the connection between these two communities, “marked by a shared history of colonial trauma”. With the great casting of Deadwyler and Greyeyes as the parents, we see a family that, despite the impending threats, is uniquely equipped to thrive due to their collective experiences. They serve as anchors for the younger actors who, in my opinion, give us some of the stronger performances seen on screen this year.

In certain historical times, we would not expect this family to survive. In this film, however, we see them persevere in a world destined to anihiliate them once again. The Freemans are not a perfect family, but they navigate a world ravaged by famine, using their military background and deep love for each other to survive.

The layers in this film are many and are richly written by R.T. Thorne and Glenn Taylor. The cinematography adds to the film’s richness thanks to the work of Jeremy Benning; elevated further by the ensemble cast which are, to me, the highlight of this film.

With sci-fi, genre and dramatic elements, 40 Acres gives us a unique take on the dystopian story seen in other films. The focus on family, community and the importance of sovereignty of Indigenous and Black people are timely and necessary topics.

Credits

Directed by R. T. Thorne
Written by R. T. Thorne & Glenn Taylor
Produced by Jennifer Holness
Cinematography by Jeremy Benning
Edited by Dev Singh & Sandy Pereira
Music by Todor Kobakov

Starring:
Danielle Deadwyler
Kataem O’Connor
Michael Greyeyes
Milcania Diaz-Rojas
Leenah Robinson

Photos courtesy of Mongrel Media.