Synopsis
Refuse to be broken
Shane, a gay Anishnabe teenager in Northern Ontario, is struggling to support his family in the aftermath of his sister's suicide. If he fails, he will be forced to choose between his family's home and his own future.
Directed by Adam Garnet Jones
Shane, a gay Anishnabe teenager in Northern Ontario, is struggling to support his family in the aftermath of his sister's suicide. If he fails, he will be forced to choose between his family's home and his own future.
火之歌
Great First Nations representation and gay First Nations representation at that. I think this may be the first time I've ever heard a movie utter the words "two-sipirt" in my life so props for that.
However, despite the likable cast, this acting was atrocious by pretty much everyone (except for David's mom. Protect David's mom at all cost). I think the love story between David and Shane could've been handled better and... errrr... I didn't like how this movie handled suicide and rape. I think I would've given it a full three stars despite the acting if they handled the suicide and rape storylines better.
We need more movies like this to be made, but we also need them to be made well. Honestly despite my low rating, it's worth the watch for a little peak into First Nations culture and how homosexuality fits into that, just keep in mind the bad acting and the triggers warnings.
Perfect timing for me to finish my pride list the other day cause then I immediately got busy with work and other errands. I still got a small handful I wanna dig into before the month ends though so it’ll probably be a little slower but I haven’t stopped yet.
This is fine, though I think the bisexuality stuff I think is less interesting than what it has to say about Native American culture and leaving reservation life. I do appreciate though that balance, that Shane feels a need to escape because of his sexuality but is trapped there nonetheless. It’s a very real story, discussing how these factors coalesce to make it feel like a person has actually experienced…
The acting is sub-par, but I’m pretty lenient on that when it comes to independent film. The story deals with some heavy themes, like suicide and abandonment. I really like how it represents the characters’ personal struggles. It’s great to have gay indigenous representation on screen. I became very invested in this. Well done!
tonally and narratively kinda all over the place but still decent for what could be construed as a modern melodrama
This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
A film that offers much-needed representation of Indigenous LGBT+ peoples, weaving together the gay and Indigenous communities in one story.
Jones uses this film to shine a light on the various experiences that Indigenous peoples unfortunately often face, such as suicide and substance abuse.
This film reminds me of the quote: ‘The queer present negotiates with the past, knowing full well that the queer future is at stake’ - B. Ruby Rich, New Queer Cinema (2013).
Shane’s interactions with his past and future explore the concept of queer temporality. He is forced to negotiate between his love for a problematic past, and a liberating future, both of which have difficult consequences that compromise his identity. In order to come out and…
This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
Live from Canada, it's Gargus and Adept's Queer Cinema Challenge 2019! This week, we watched a film from a queer poc director!
These next six themes are actually but two according to the challenge rules. When Jackie and I were constructing this list back in November, we came to the queer poc director/actor/screenwriter and trans director/actor/screenwriter themes and decided, why not blow them out into a big expansive thing? Rather than just choose one for each, we'll be looking at a director, actor, and screenwriter who fits the descriptors of queer person of color and trans person, each. Any excuse to look at other perspectives, yeah?
So, our director here is Adam Garnet Jones, a gay man of First Nations…
technically not a very good movie but also the only movie i’ve seen that talks about gay native youth so some stars for that. tara really deserved better and so do all mmiw .
It definitely tries to juggle way too many plot points that never get proper resolution but I can’t fault it’s ambition. And the central story between Shane and David really hit me, there’s a lot of heart here
the only thing im confused about is was grandma not supposed to be gay the whole time??
march around the world challenge 2024 - mexico
first this film is wonderful as a piece of LGBT and native film history. we need more films like this one. and I'm so happy this movie exists. however I wish I actually enjoyed the movie more than I did.
I really hated how Tara was handled throughout this entire movie. I understand he was closeted but the way he treated Tara and the way he implied he would take her to Toronto knowing full well he didn't want to go with her really upset me. I also hate the fact that when Tara tells him about her own relationship with suicidal idealization he simply tells her ok but you didn't actually…