I Am Gitxsan

I Am Gitxsan
Documentary / 64m / Canada (BC)
Wednesday October 22nd, 12:30pm, $12
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St E.

Synopsis​

"I Am Gitxsan" follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by encounters with residential school survivors, he writes a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the injustices faced by his people. The documentary highlights the impact of colonialism on the Gitxsan community, featuring insights from experts like Dr Gabor Maté and showcasing their resilience through protests and legal actions. It culminates with a moving message of hope and determination, emphasizing the power of the Gitxsan people's enduring spirit, the beauties of their culture, and their commitment to future generations.

Director

‍Hossein Martin Fazeli is a multi-award-winning filmmaker with a passion for inspiring characters, and a devotion to human rights.As a filmmaker, he has shed light on important issues and inspired change through his decade-long work. His films have been broadcast around the world, including on ARTE, BBC, and Canal+, winning 45 awards in the process. His ambition is to bring about change and help communities as exemplified through his 2007 production, “The Tale of Two Nazanins”, about a teenage girl imprisoned on death row in Iran. The film, broadcast on major international networks such as the BBC and CNN, is credited with igniting an international campaign that saved her life.In 2008, Fazeli was chosen by the Sundance Institute to take part in their International Filmmakers Award. He has lectured around the world on the ever-changing face of filmmaking and has held workshops with students at various educational institutions such as SFU (Canada), SOAS (UK), Aarhus University (Denmark), and the European Film Academy.

Preceded by the short film R.G.Miller: Truth In Painting‍
‍30m, Dir. Cher Obediah

‍The brush strokes of artist Gary Miller echo his experience as a child inmate at the Mohawk Institute, also known as the Mush Hole. A few survivors from the last generation of the Residential School return to discuss Gary’s art and connect with each other. The images, housed in the former dining hall serve up memories of mush, mayhem and hope for the future.​Cher Obediah is Ojibway and Mohawk, Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario with roots in Alderville First Nation. She is a multidisciplinary creative as a filmmaker, speaker, author, and artist.

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