Bones of Crows

This Canadian Indigenous film about the Residential School System will no doubt become must viewing in Canadian high school history classes - one should hope. It's a tough watch and a powerful film. The story follows Aline Spears through her lifetime, played by three different actors: Summer Testawich (young), Grace Dove (middle and main focus), and Carla-Rae (oldest). The story is told in overlapping timelines but if you were to place it in chronological order, you would see Aline and her three siblings ripped from her family and placed into the Residential School System where they all receive physical and mental abuse. Later, after making her way out, Aline becomes a Wind Talker for the Canadian Army in WWII because of her ability to speak Cree. She gets married and has two kids of her own. Aline's sister, Perseverance, doesn't fare so well later in life. She falls into drug and alcohol abuse, then goes to prison, then becomes a sex worker, and then finally disappears as an Indigenous woman, likely murdered. Aline's husband also doesn't do well, post WWII - likely suffering from PTSD, becoming a drunk with a temper. There is a tremendous amount of suffering and abuse is this film. It begins and ends with a number you can call if you are a survivor and require help. A lighthearted comedy this is not. Bring some tissues for this one. The film itself might suffer a bit of bloat but it's a minor criticism. This is must see Canadian viewing. Along with "I Like Movies," "Riceboy Sleeps," "Brother," and "Blackberry," Canada has come out swinging hard with some great movies this year. Catch "Bones of Crows" in theatres now.