Hank Williams First Nation

A real feel good movie with a deep story going on around it. A lot of symbolism and underlying messages it seemed. I didn't get all of them at first and I'm sure I missed a lot - need to see it again. for instance the two moose in the first shot and then the lone moose at the end. All the 'Indian politics' going on but it was funny enough that it was not controversial or depressing or offensive. I liked the cinematography, the music and the humor. I expected a choppy perhaps awkward movie given the budget but I was shocked at what a small budget and a good script can produce. The characters were believable and the story was heart warming and made ya think.

At A Theatre Near You! By Larry Chartrand of Lakeland Video Productions

Hank Williams First Nation Comedy Drama, rated PG. 92 minutes in length. A Canadian Film produced in Alberta. Directed by Aaron James Sorensen, starring Stacy Da Silva as Sarah Fox, a grade 12 valedictorian, and Sarah's grandfather, Adelard Fox, played by Gordon Tootoosis.

This movie goes against the Hollywood style and is totally Canadian. Without giving away the story, a boy and his uncle leave their northern Alberta reserve bound for Nashville in search of the truth. Is Hank Williams Senior really dead?

We are drawn into a world of parallels, that is more the focus of this film, than its' title. The different scenes that play out are bundled together with the common theme of young and old, as seen from a native point of view. Hank senior & Hank III, a cow moose with her calf, Adelard raising his granddaughter Sarah, dilapidated vehicles next to shiny new trucks, Sarah yearning for her paternal mother, to name only a few parallels. I was lost at one point in the movie, when about 5 minutes played out in Cree language, with no translation. There was obvious humor, because the Cree audience was laughing, but I had no clue. I later realized, what a brilliant way to make a statement.

The story line itself is solid and develops into a good ending, yet leaves the viewer with a lot of questions. Is Hank senior dead? What happens to the cow moose? Where are the traditions? These truths don't affect every ones lives on the surface, but they are important to individuals. As I said, the real story lies hidden in the parallels. The conflict is between old and new, the modern versus traditional.

This film is fun to watch, will likely get you thinking, and now that you know what to watch for, you can count up how many parallels there are. 3 ½ Stars out of 5.

It took me a day or so of reflection to reach that conclusion. You see, Sarah aches, envies and dreams, but when she is knocked down, she picks up what self-esteem she can gather and gets up again. She desperately wants to be loved by a boyfriend and a parent. Adelard is thoughtful, accepting and wise, but most of all loving--not just of people, though certainly that, but of the vital things of his life: peace, understanding, personal growth, and the natural progress of life's events.

The Cree dialogue scene is rich with communication. The primary conversant, a politician wannabe, displays through his gestures and intonation that he is sincere, and believes in himself and his integrity. That, along with the sporadic inclusion of English nouns and adjectives (Cranglais?), leaves little uncomprehending—and keeps the audience rapt and grinning throughout. I was impressed.

If a story has to go somewhere—if you need to be taken from point A to point B—then you won't appreciate this one. This is not an action film, it's a "setting" film, and parallel to the concept of Oral Tradition, it's all about the dialogue. That's what gives this film a depth well beyond "A Day In The Life of…" or "A Cultural Snapshot". The generous use of silence, without becoming Pinter-esquire, speaks volumes.

If you can't get to a screening of this film, find it on video—it'll be good there too.

First off, let me say this movie was wonderful and beautiful and I'd recommend it everyone! No sex, no violence, no sensationalism...what a refreshing relief!

Like one or two have posted, at the time of viewing the movie, I at first thought I'd have liked to have known what the local politician was saying in Cree. However, I realized that not knowing added to the magic of the film.

Writer/director Aaron Sorensen (as well as Gordon Tootoosis and Colin Van Loon) spoke after the screening in Vancouver, and said they had intended that scene to be spoken in English, but it just wasn't working during the shoot. He told the actor to say it all in Cree, and it's just a delightful scene! I'm glad they didn't give subtitles, because it was a joy watching the interaction between the characters, and listening to the "feeling" of the exchange. Sorry -- hard to put into words!

As it turns out, amazingly the script is on the movie's website. There, the scene is given in the original English. When I saw it I was about to read it. Couldn't bring myself to do it!

Of all the beautiful poetry I've read in my life, and all the movies I've scene, I've almost never had one line stand out so powerfully:

""We might not be through with the past, but the past is through with us" ~~ Spoken by "Sarah" (Stacy Da Silva)

After the film, Aaron Sorensen said that both the DVD and the CD should be out later this year. Keep an eye out for it! You won't be disappointed.

Linda

This is mostly a movie about people and their most sincere levels of connection. Don't be confused by the title. Hank Williams is only the nail to hang this story from. In fact, although almost all of it centers on a town of Cree Indians in Alberta, it is a universal story of people going through their lives, living with family, and working to make or deal with connections. Funny at the start, interesting in the middle, moving in the last. A well filmed, well crafted story, that leads you along a simple path that will eventually fill your heart with more than you expected.

I think if there were any flaws, they were budget related. For instance, there was no actual Hank Williams music in the film, but I'm sure that was only due to the cost and complexity of arranging to use his music. At this lower-budget level, it works anyway. The script is great, actors feel real, and the filming looks good.

I expected a small light-hearted movie. It is that, in part. It is also a great story that slowly pulls you in, gets you involved, and then draws you to an experience that should resonate deeply if you have a heart. It seems simple but weaves that simplicity into something more. In the end I was choking back emotions. I walked out feeling myself taken to a place that makes me glad I keep looking for these film experiences -- sometimes because someone told me, sometimes unexpected.