PARK CITY, Utah – The premiere of the documentary “Sugarcane” at the Sundance Film Festival left the audience deeply moved and emotional. Filmmakers Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie received a standing ovation and embraced each other through tears as the screening came to an end.
This powerful documentary, showcased in the U.S. Documentary Competition section at Sundance, delves into the intergenerational trauma caused by Canada’s residential school system. The film exposes the horrifying experiences of Native children who were forcibly separated from their families and subjected to physical and sexual abuse under the supervision of Catholic priests and nuns. Disturbing testimonies in the film reveal incidents of rape, burning of babies, and other atrocities committed by the overseers.
Charlene Belleau, an activist and key figure in the film, expressed her gratitude to NoiseCat and Kassie, shedding tears during the post-screening Q&A session. She emphasized the importance of sharing their truth and breaking the silence that had constrained them due to confidentiality agreements related to investigations and prosecutions.
Belleau paid tribute to the countless lives lost as a result of the abuse suffered in the residential schools, acknowledging the suicides that have plagued survivors. However, she also found solace in the presence of her grandchild, representing hope and resilience.
For NoiseCat, the documentary carries a deeply personal connection. Alongside his father, Ed Archie NoiseCat, who was born and abandoned at one of these schools, Julian works to uncover the truth surrounding his father’s traumatic past. Through an empathetic lens, the film focuses not only on the crimes committed within the residential school system but also on the lasting impact they have had on individuals and future generations.
During the Q&A session, NoiseCat revealed that Deb Holland, the first Native American Cabinet Secretary and Secretary of the Interior in the United States, was in attendance. Holland is leading an inquiry into Native American boarding schools in the country, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond Canada and merits a broader conversation about the enduring power of indigenous communities and the horrifying legacy of such schools in both nations.
As the screening came to a close, Belleau left the audience with a heartfelt plea. Encouraging everyone to share what they had witnessed, she urged them to break the silence that survivors and the indigenous community had been forced into for decades.
“Sugarcane” is currently seeking distribution, aiming to reach a wider audience and continue the conversation about the legacy and impact of the residential school system on indigenous communities.
– AP News