By Anne Brodie
Darlene Naponse’ brilliant, wordless documentary AKI “earth, land, or ground in relation to the Anishnaabe homeland” was filmed in her home Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, formerly White Fish Lake First Nation, Ontario. It follows her stunning feature Falls Around Her, also shot there. What they have in common in Naponse’ intense appreciation and hunger for the natural world. Her eye for detail and deep respect for “earth, land, ground” is inspiring and fascinating as she films life tiny – microscopic flecks of vegetation and earth flowing underwater in sunlight– and life big – vast snow landscapes of whiteness in midwinter, forests coming to life in spring, and all between. It’s seasonal, the familiar cycle for Canadians.
The lonely whistling winds of winter, the ice melting and water flowing noisily in spring, the cries of the wildlife and sounds of children at play, raucous Bingo night on the reserve are celebrated but a lovely tonal score gives it extra emotional power, supporting the film’s beauty and purpose. There are shots that shock – how on earth did Naponse get such up close footage of a bear raiding a garbage dump, a wolf hard by her? And the natural moments are not to be missed, a beaver swims and beats its tail on the water, intimate shots of a world we don’t get to witness. How did she shoot under water looking up through ice at the shoreline trees? You’ll feel your stress dissolve and nature’s rhythms taking over as this world unfolds. But there are important statement moments– water pollution runoff from forest industries, clear cutting, that stain on Canada, a mining company’s No Trespassing signs, in stark contrast to Naponse’ love of the land. Do not miss this one. Screening at TIFF Tuesday the 9th, tomorrow, Thursday at 9 am and 12.10 p.m..
