Indian Horse

Indian Horse is a powerful Canadian film that serves as an evocative focal point for a devastating period in Canadian history. Released in 2017, this film unravels the moving life story of its Indigenous protagonist, Saul Indian Horse. Director Stephen S. Campanelli and writer Dennis Foon have successfully adapted the award-winning novel by Richard Wagamese, offering an unflinching portrayal of the discriminative treatment subjected to Indigenous people in Canada. The film features an ensemble cast comprising Ajuawak Kapashesit, Sladen Peltier, and Wayne Baker, whose performances help paint an intense tableau of resilience in the face of adversity.

Pivotal in its handling of a racially motivated narrative, Indian Horse introduces us to Saul at three critical junctures of his life, portrayed by Peltier, Forrest Goodluck, and Kapashesit, respectively. The narrative progresses through these transitions seamlessly while exploring crucial experiences that mould Saul’s life course.

Set in the late 1950s, Saul belongs to the northern Ojibwa tribe and is separated from his family at a tender age under the Canadian government’s residential school system. This policy aimed at aggressive assimilation of Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society, eroding their ethnic identities and cultural connect. The film doesn't shy away from showing the trauma and systematic abuses these children had to endure in these ‘educational’ establishments.

The strength of Indian Horse lies in its sincere and sensitive depict of how Saul uses his passion for ice hockey as an escape. His indisputable talent for the sport provides a momentary but repeated reprieve from his tormenting reality. This element of the plot brilliantly brings to the forefront Saul’s struggles and victories on the ice, symbolic of his life straddling two different worlds – one of brutal repudiation and another of embraced dreams.

As the film proceeds, we witness Saul’s rise in the world of ice hockey in the 1970s. Adult Saul, portrayed by Kapashesit, is a skilful player who navigates the tide of racial discrimination with courage. Despite the physicality and thrill of hockey matches, Saul is continually reminded of his outsider status, painting a grim picture of the prevailing prejudice within and outside the sport.

Wayne Baker plays Moose, an influential character in Saul’s life who introduces him to the world of professional hockey. The dynamic between the two gives an additional layer to the narrative, subtly highlighting the shared silent pain that forms an unspoken bond among the indigenous people.

Technically, the film stands out with its cinematography. Cinematographer Ronald Richard’s lens skillfully captures the contrast between the harsh residential school premises and the solace of the ice rink. Moreover, the film’s musical score sets the right tone for each scene, notching up the emotional intensity when needed.

Indian Horse is more than a testament to an individual's strength and determination; it is an eye-opening narrative representative of the collective experiences of Indigenous communities in Canada. The film is a blend of heartfelt storytelling, exceptional performances, and inventive filmmaking that commands global attention to a grave chapter of human rights abuse.

Despite the severity of its subject matter, the film manages to inspire, leaving the audience with a sense of resilience, reminding us of the strength inherent in the human spirit to rise above adversities. Indian Horse unfolds like a poignant poem, one that sings of struggle, survival, salvation, and the power of dreams. It is a must-watch for those appreciating cinema that holds a mirror to society and our collective historical legacy.

Indian Horse manages to bring Richard Wagamese's compelling narrative to the big screen with earnestness and authenticity. The feature not alone serves as an essential viewing in terms of its historical relevance but also poignantly highlights the long-lasting impacts of cultural erasure and racial intolerance. It is a deeply moving film that beautifully underlines the importance of acknowledging and understanding our past to pave the way for a more inclusive future.