Indian Horse

Indian Horse is a powerful and moving drama set in Canada in the 1950s and 1960s. The film follows the journey of Saul Indian Horse, a young indigenous boy who is forcibly taken from his family and sent to a Catholic boarding school, where he is stripped of his culture and identity. The movie is directed by Stephen S. Campanelli and based on the novel by Richard Wagamese.

The film begins with scenes of Saul as a young boy living with his family on a First Nations reserve in Northern Ontario. Saul is an enthusiastic and talented hockey player, and he dreams of one day playing professionally. However, his life is shattered when he is taken away from his family and sent to the Catholic boarding school, where he is subjected to physical and emotional abuse by the priests and nuns who run the school.

As Saul struggles to adapt to his new life, he finds solace in hockey. He joins the school's team and quickly becomes its star player, but he also discovers that his love for the sport comes at a cost. The team's success depends on Saul's ability to assimilate into white Canadian culture and abandon his own identity, something that he is unwilling to do.

Throughout the film, we see the devastating effects of the residential school system on Saul and on the Indigenous communities it targeted. We also see the ways in which hockey provided a form of escape and a means of resistance for Indigenous children who were forced to attend these schools.

The performances in Indian Horse are exceptional, particularly those of the three actors who play Saul at different stages of his life: Sladen Peltier as the young Saul, Forrest Goodluck as the teenage Saul, and Ajuawak Kapashesit as the adult Saul. The film also features strong supporting performances from Wayne Baker as Saul's grandfather and Michael Murphy as the priest who coaches the school's hockey team.

Indian Horse is a beautifully shot film, with stunning landscapes and evocative cinematography that captures the stark beauty of Northern Ontario. The film's sound design is also notable, as it incorporates traditional Indigenous music and spirituality in a way that adds depth and resonance to the story.

The movie tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and nuance, exploring the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous people in Canada. It is a moving and thought-provoking film that has received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, storytelling, and message.

Overall, Indian Horse is a must-see film that sheds light on an important chapter in Canadian history and celebrates the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities. It is a poignant and unforgettable work of cinema that will leave a lasting impact on audiences.