Summary of the Article: “First Nations Filmmakers Finding Success at Whistler Film Festival”
This article from The Hollywood Reporter focuses on Eva Thomas, the director of Nika & Madison, a new feature film screening at the Whistler Film Festival. Here are the key takeaways:
* The Film: Nika & Madison is a feminist crime thriller about two young Indigenous women on the run after a violent encounter with a police officer.It’s an expansion of Thomas’s earlier short film, Redlights.
* Positive Reception: The film has been well-received at both the Hawaii’i Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival, with audiences connecting to the story of resilience, sisterhood, and political brutality.
* Focus on Indigenous Resilience: Thomas intentionally shifted the focus from solely depicting police corruption to highlighting the strength and connection between Indigenous women.
* Canada vs. US Approach to DEI: The article contrasts Canada’s continued commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in its film industry with the US, where major studios are scaling back DEI programs due to political pressure. Thomas argues Canada celebrates diverse voices as integral to its identity,while the US seems to be defining what it means to be “American.”
* Profit vs. Story: Thomas challenges the US film industry’s focus on profitability when cutting DEI programs, suggesting that diverse stories are valuable and can find an audience.
In essence, the article highlights the success of a First Nations filmmaker and her film, while also using it as a springboard to discuss the differing approaches to DEI in the Canadian and American film industries.
