Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 07 | Page 26

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PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY April 1 - 15, 2018
Indian Horse (PG) *****
By Alan Samuel
Power Play!
Many people don’t get a chance to see film festivals. Those into the arts and who
live near major urban centres are fortunate to see the cream of international
cinemas at prestigious film festivals. Now Canadians across the country have a
chance to relive some trying times that faced our Aboriginal communities. Make
no mistake about it, Indian Horse is without doubt one if the very best Canadian
movies to come out in years. Hard to watch but needed to see this Elevation
Pictures release takes the wrap off of the unspeakable indignities Aboriginal
children faced at the hands of he Church and a complicit Federal government.
See this heartfelt journey at select Cinema Healing Cinemas across metro
Vancouver.
Vancouver director Stephen Campanelli stick handles his weigh through a
still somewhat controversial part of Canadian history. Central to the core of this
story is the tumultuous life of young Saul Indian Horse. A trio of talented actors
portray the young First Nations arrive who turned to the ice and hockey as a
way to shield his whole being from the indignity of being stripped away from his
family and uprooted to residential Catholic School - a foreign institution to him
and the many other children. Three cheers to Sladen Peltier, Forrest Goodluck
and Ajuawak Kapashesit who play Saul at 6, 15 and 22.
THe 1950s, when this tragic tale takes place, was not that long ago and dare
I say we see numerous forms of discrimination not just against aboriginals but
among many other minorities to this day, Seeing the confinement and the mental
torture, which I don’t think is too harsh a word. Levelled against this child and
the others in such “ learning centres” is simply heart-wrenching. Despite these
harsh conditions young Saul gets a chance to lace in a pair of skates. Through
playing hockey on the ice Saul manages to mentally escape the conditions of
confinement and in the process becomes a sensation. What a story!
As a bridge hockey provides the driving force for a boy to survive. Hope
lives and you leave with a feeling of warmth despite the tears shed for all these
kids who were denied a real childhood, home and family. Leaders and all levels
and people who care and want to be good citizens should see Indian Horse.
Hear is a movie that will open your eyes, warm your heart and lift your spirits.
Never again.
Lean on Pete (PG) ***
Test No. 1: HISTORY & POLITICS
Photo Finish!
Consider the theme behind Lean
on Pete to be sort of a Metaphor for life.
Few people win all the time. Struggle is
in the DNA of a young boy out to eke
out an existence in this passionate film
about getting ahead. Take a flyer in this
winning effort from Elevation Pictures
now on tap at The International Village
Cinemas and select Cineplex cites
around B.C.
Hard knocks come often
to far too many. Dealt somewhat of
a bad hand is 15-year-old Charley
Thompson. Grit and determination
follow the performance of Charlie
Plummer as he wrestles with all sorts
of demons stemming largely from
growing up in a broken home. Only
his dad is there for him and that may
prove to be a rather fleeting moment.
Life has its ups and downs so
young Charley finds a home away from
home at of all places the racetrack.
Taught the ups and downs of life on
the backstretch by none other than
Steve Buscemi in another flawless
1. Whom did Pocahontas marry
a. John Smith
b. John Rolfe
2. Indira Gandhi, the first female prime
minister of India, was the daughter of Mahatma
Gandhi.
memorable character as. Hardened
trainer Charlie learns