Heritage and Healing Intersect

Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
New Blood
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 44m
Director(s): Adam Solway
Where To Watch: premiering on CBC Gem starting November 22, 2024, before heading out on its international film festival run

RAVING REVIEW: Slated for its premiere on CBC Gem and set to tour on the festival circuit, NEW BLOOD stands out as an extraordinary documentary that breaks the mold of conventional documentary filmmaking. Under the direction of Blackfoot Adam Solway, this film provides an immersive look into the life and times of Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman, painting his enduring legacy with strokes of vibrant cultural fusion and historical insight.

NEW BLOOD showcases the New Blood Dance Show, a high school production where traditional Blackfoot dance meets contemporary choreography, all set to the music of Peter Gabriel. This blend acts as a cultural bridge that links past to present, allowing the youth of the Blackfoot community to explore and celebrate their heritage. The documentary captures Vincent's transformative journey from a young survivor of residential schools to a respected chief, serving as a beacon for the younger generation.

The documentary's strength lies in Adam Solway’s visionary direction, which is deeply rooted in the oral traditions of the Blackfoot people. By integrating heartfelt interviews with reenactments, Solway exposes his subjects' raw emotional undertones, providing a film that is as healing as it is historical. This method enriches the film and enhances its ability to preserve and celebrate Indigenous culture.

Peter Gabriel’s musical collaboration adds a layer of depth, weaving his tracks like "San Jacinto," "In Your Eyes," and "Wallflower" into the film’s story. These songs become a powerful narrative force that underscores themes of survival and rebirth throughout the film. At the heart of NEW BLOOD are the personal stories of its protagonists, Trinity Pretty Youngman and Hayden Yellow Old Woman, whose performances bridge individual histories with broader communal narratives. Their involvement deepens the film’s authenticity and amplifies its emotional impact, making the historical personal and relatable.

The film also highlights the collaborative genesis of the New Blood Dance Show, emphasizing the productive partnership between educators Deanne Bertsch and Eulalia Running Rabbit. Their combined efforts have crafted a cultural event and fostered a space where art and heritage converge. Including George Littlechild’s artwork and Sandra Sutter’s spoken words ties the documentary back to traditional Blackfoot arts, solidifying its educational and cultural value.

Filmed against the picturesque backdrops of Alberta, from the cozy confines of Strathmore High School to the vast expanses of the Blackfoot territories, NEW BLOOD is as much a visual odyssey as it is an auditory and emotional one. The locales serve more than scenic purposes; they are essential to the narrative, enhancing the storytelling by connecting the film’s themes directly to the ancestral land of the Blackfoot people.

NEW BLOOD excels in depicting the rich tapestry of Blackfoot life and opens a dialogue about how such stories are perceived and learned by non-Indigenous audiences. The film poses an opportunity to broaden its impact by incorporating diverse viewer reactions and providing more in-depth historical contexts, which could further its reach and deepen its educational influence.

As NEW BLOOD gears up for its release, it promises to showcase a story and offer an experience—an invitation to viewers to journey through the blended past and present of the Blackfoot community. This film invites us to witness and participate in the legacy of Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman, ensuring his story resonates far into the future.

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[photo courtesy of NEW BLOOD FILMS INC., CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION]

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