KONELĪNE: Our land beautiful

KONELĪNE: our land beautiful is an engrossing and compelling documentary film from 2016. The masterfully crafted documentary is directed by the Canadian filmmaker, Nettie Wild, and features Tahltan Nation members, Thal Ooth and Nictasta, among others. Known for her insightful documentaries, Wild uses this film as a storytelling vehicle, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the northwestern British Columbia and exploring the profound connection between the Tahltan First Nation people and their ancestral lands.

The title, KONELĪNE, translates to 'our land beautiful', signifying the inherent love and respect the Tahltan people have for their homeland. This captivating film invites the audience into the world of pristine and timeless landscapes, away from the commercial and urban bustle, offering glimpses of an ancestral world that continues to echo through modern times. The film unfolds against the backdrop of stunning mountains, wild rivers, and expansive forests – landscapes untouched by industrialization and wholly respected by the indigenous population.

The narrative heart of the film is the traditional life of the Tahltan Nation, primarily featuring Thal Ooth, an experienced hunter and Nictasta, a young woman carrying forward the traditional ways of her people. Both emblematic figures offer viewers an intimate look at their intricate relationship with Mother Nature. However, their peaceful surroundings find themselves vulnerable to unforeseen changes brought on by modern development.

KONELĪNE provides an insight into the potential conflicts that this untouched land, viewed by some as a natural resource ripe for exploitation, might face. The film manages to address this discourse without taking a position or casting judgment but instead presents a range of perspectives, from miners to hunters, line workers to elders, each with a unique relationship to this stunning landscape.

The film does not just explore the people's ties to the land but also delves into their culture, ancestry, and traditions. Viewers get to observe the Tahltan people's rich, thousands-year-old heritage as they get glimpses of various facets of their life, from traditional hunting techniques to beading intricate designs onto clothing. It paints a mesmerizing portrait of a community, straddling the boundary between preserving their cultural identity and adapting to the changing world.

Wild's filming technique in KONELĪNE is minimalistic yet moving. Contrary to the traditional, informative type of documentary, Wild’s approach leans to observation. The use of long takes and panoramic shots capture the landscape and its people, leaving the land and the indigenous peoples' actions to tell the story. There is a sense of tranquility to it, offering the audience a chance to dwell in the narrative and feel the land's pulse.

The resulting film is a mosaic of beautifully composed scenes, including one memorable sequence showing delicate lines of laundry billowing in the wind, strung between trees against a backdrop of breathtaking valleys. In another scene, the audience witnesses an awe-inspiring helicopter lifting a massive drill that resembles an alien ship – a subtle symbol of the encroaching technology in this pristine land.

The film's genius lies in its contrasting portraits - the ancestral land and traditions juxtaposed with the impending world of industrial exploration. However, the film does present a hopeful message by showcasing those who work tirelessly to balance respect for the land and the necessities of survival in the contemporary world.

Indeed, KONELĪNE: our land beautiful serves as an inspiring ode to the Tahltan Nation's enduring love for their land and their inherent resilience. It is not only a documentary film but a work of art that manages to tackle complex issues with grace and poise. From the breathtaking visuals of the Tahltan land to the quiet, dialogic narrative of its people, this film is a poignant exploration of the meaning of land, home, and identity. Through Wild's discerning eye, viewers are offered an intimate look into a world that firmly resists being forgotten or obscured by the shadow of modernity.