qathet film society presents
3 Ears Indigenous Film Festival
Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun
Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun
Sunday September 29 — 1:30 pm
Preceded by Bringing the Salmon Home, It Takes A River of People
Directed by Banchi Hanuse
1 hr 29 min | Documentary
English, Blackfoot
Released 2023
Executive Producers: IZZY PULLEN, CAREY NEWMAN
Producer: MIKE WAVRECAN
An intimate and thrilling portrait of a young Siksika woman Logan Red Crow and the deep bonds between her father and family in the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory as she prepares for one of the most dangerous horse races in the world… the Indian Relay.
Taking us to the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory to the home of Logan Red Crow, a young Siksika woman whose passion is the Indian Relay. A sport for the truly brave, the Relay’s bareback riders vault from horse to horse in short, exhilarating races. Gentle and reflective, yet unshakeable in her determination, Logan is a champion in the making. Besides her skill and sheer grit, she has a loving family, an elite group of horses, and a home on her ancestral lands. Those are invaluable, but this rider will need more for victory. As we follow her through one competition after another, we see courage put to the test, and also get a picture of the other factors involved in the sport—including blind circumstance.
Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun offers the dual pleasures of serenity and suspense: we get leisurely, lyrical immersion in rural life as well as the thrill of rooting for victory. Logan’s bond with her horses is palpable, and we see her tender interactions with them contrasted with gripping races. The animals are beautiful in their mute strength, and the film honours them with loving, graceful images.
The connections explored here are profound and lasting: those between Father and Daughter, animal and human, family and community, ancestral tradition and contemporary life. Graceful, compelling and uplifting, this is inspirational gem offers, through Logan, her horses, her family and her Nation, a portrait of radiant heroism.
AWARDS
Winner – Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (2023)
Big Sky Award
Winner – American Indian Film Festival (2023)
Best Documentary Feature
Winner – Santa Fe International Film Festival (2023)
Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature
Winner – Vancouver International Film Festival (2023)
Audience Award – Northern Lights
Winner – Calgary International Film Festival (2023)
“Generation Next” Audience Choice Award
Winner – Available Light Film Festival (2024)
– Best Canadian Documentary – Audience Choice Award
– Best Canadian Feature Film – Made in the North Awards
Winner – Yellowknife International Film Festival (2023)
Best Canadian Documentary Feature
Winner – Red Nation International Film Festival (2023)
Best Documentary Feature (shared with: Common Ground)
Winner – San Diego International Film Festival (2023)
Kumeyaay Award
Winner – Shining Mountains Film Festival (2023)
Best Feature
Winner – Leo Awards (2023)
Best Feature Length Documentary | Best Screenwriting | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound
Winner – Gimli Film Festival (2023)
Audience Choice Award | Indigenous Spirit Award | New Voices Award
Winner – Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival (2023)
Cinema Indigenized Outstanding Talent Award
Special Mention – Port Townsend Film Festival (2023)
“Special Mention for capturing the Soul of Cinema”
Honourable Mention – Salt Spring Film Festival
Audience Favourite
Nominated – Canadian Screen Awards
Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentar
Preceded by:
Bringing the Salmon Home, It Takes A River of People
Directed by Teresa Marshall & Jeremy Williams
2023
30 min
The mighty Columbia River was once the source of the world’s greatest salmon runs. But massive dams have blocked salmon from returning to the vast headwaters of the upper Columbia River in Canada for 85 years. Bringing the Salmon Home tells the story of the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Nations who uphold their sacred responsibility to reintroduce the salmon.
Today the three Nations are leading a collaborative process with BC and Canada, and working with US Tribes and allies along the river, to bring the salmon home for the benefit of all. In this half-hour film, first person stories combine with vivid landscape and underwater footage, and archival film, to tell the long-hidden story of these Salmon People.
Local filmmaker Jeremy Williams in attendance