Falls Around Her – March 2nd: 9:30

March 2nd: 9:30: Falls Around Her 

Director: Darlene Naponse 

CANADA, 2018 English. 98 minutes 

Principal Cast: Tantoo Cardinal, Tina Keeper, Gail Maurice, Johnny Issaluk, Rob Stewart, J.D. Nicholsen, Hope McGregor 

Mary is a renowned Anishinaabe musician who comes home to Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation in northern Ontario, exhausted by many years on the road touring internationally with her band. She returns to the land to restore herself, but her past success makes her a commodity to some, and it can be tricky to hide from the demands of the outside world. 

Her sister Betty (Tina Keeper, Through Black Spruce, television’s North of 60) senses there may be more to Mary’s need for isolation and urges her to reconnect with family and old friends. As Mary gets out more and even starts dating, it seems as though new possibilities are on the horizon. However, the past has a way of catching up, and when Mary starts to hear disturbing noises around her cabin, she becomes paranoid that someone may be after her. 

Writer-director Darlene Naponse (Every Emotion Costs, Cradlesong) brings a unique perspective to the screen that beautifully captures the nuance and rhythms of northern life on a small Anishinaabe First Nation. Acclaimed Métis actor Tantoo Cardinal (The 

Grizzlies, Wind River) embodies both strength and vulnerability in the leading role as Mary, a self-sufficient woman who knows that gut instincts should be trusted. 

In spite of the trauma in Mary’s past, Naponse refuses a narrative of victimhood, and instead explores the multiple facets of resilience. Mary knows how to survive, but she also deserves to thrive. And that means gathering the ability to be open to the healing that comes from love, self-expression, family, community, and, especially, the land. 

“Falls Around Her is legendary Cree and Métis actor Tantoo Cardinal’s first lead role in a feature film — and she’s enthralling in it.” —Samantha Edwards, NOW Magazine 

There is no trailer, but here is a Q&A session from the Toronto International Film Festival: