Fire Song

[projekktor id=’24061′]

Fire Song, a Canadian drama that had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, is the debut feature from writer/director Adam Garnet Jones. The film stars Andrew Martin, Harley Legarde-Beacham, Jennifer Podemski, Mary Galloway, and Brendt Thomas Diabo.

When a teenaged girl commits suicide in a remote Northern Ontario Aboriginal community, it’s up to her brother Shane to take care of their family. Shane was supposed to move to the city for University in the fall, and he has been trying to convince his secret boyfriend to come with him, but now everything is uncertain. Shane is torn between his responsibilities at home and the promise of freedom calling to him from the city. He pushes through barrier after barrier, determined to take care of his mom and earn money for school. But when circumstances take a turn for the worse and Shane has to choose between his family or his future, what will he do?

“It is important for Aboriginal writers and directors to tell stories that respect the complex social position of Aboriginal people, while also exploring the rich emotional and spiritual lives of our characters,” says Jones. “Seeing ourselves reflected in our stories gives weight to our experiences, and opens the door for non-Aboriginal people to understand an aspect of Aboriginal life. Although stories like this are hard to watch, it is vital that we talk openly about suicide, depression, homophobia, and isolation in our communities.

Fire Song is rated 14A.