The Sun at Midnight

I saw this film at a private screening in Yellowknife. I am very skeptical and I expected another B-List film. While the cinematography styles may have left something to be desired, there was no lacking in the plot. The film was well presented in a way that is not "over the top" but is also not "lacking". While the ending of the film felt a bit abrupt, almost as though they forgot to add the last scene, the journey to get to that point was thrilling and exhilarating at almost every point.

I enjoyed this film more than any big name film that I have seen in the last two years.

I love indie flicks like this. It's a slow-moving drama that's set in the Arctic Circle in Canada. As you'd expect, the scenery is absolutely stunning. The story is a simple one. And the acting is quite good.

Lia (Devery Jacobs) is sent up north to spend time with her Gwich'in grandmother. Her mother passed away and her father feels he just can't handle her. Lia is a jaded city girl and soon gets bored with life in the sleepy Arctic community. She longs for the city and soon runs away. Lia has no idea how to survive in the wilderness and when she runs into Alfred (Duane Howard), a First Nation older gentleman, he takes her under his wing. He's a hunter in search of a legendary caribou herd that hasn't been seen in a while. The two form a special friendship and he's a philosopher and shares his knowledge freely. He's very low keyed, and when he philosophizes, he reminds me a little of Chief Dan George if you remember him. He's almost Buddha-like in his approach to life.

While searching for the herd, Alfred is severely injured after being mauled by a bear. It's at this point where Lia rises to the occasion. She has to act quickly or Alfred could die. The outcome was fairly predictable, but I enjoyed it none the less. It's just a great little flick almost no one has ever heard of.

This film reminds me of home and makes me miss the North!

I watched this film in Australia and wasn't sure what to expect. The story was so simple and well told that I somehow forgot that I had just been introduced to new characters and a place/part of the world I had never been. Truly exceptional indie film... I hope more people get the chance to see.

This is a really gorgeous film. It's a small production but it is a riveting story with tremendous performances by Duane Howard and Devery Jacobs. The direction is pitch perfect and it happens that the very talented director also wrote this little gem. The character played by Howard is such a rich, kind, compassionate character. It is rare these days to see a character so well formed. This is a film that is made for adults and is such a wonderful counterpoint to the dribble that Hollywood is cranking out by the dozens at this point in time. If you like great Independent cinema, if you like a real story written not written for kids, you will find this film to be such a breath of fresh air. Thank you and kudos to all involved in this heartfelt project.