Trouble in the Garden

Trouble in the Garden is an emotionally charged independent film from 2018, starring Cara Gee, Jon Cor, and Fiona Reid. Dealing with profound social issues related to indigenous people's rights and adoption, the movie spotlights the protagonist's journey through self-discovery while challenging familial and societal norms.

The leading actress, Cara Gee, delivers an unforgettable performance as Raven, the central character of the film. Born into a First Nations community, Raven was removed as a child from her biological family during the "Sixties Scoop," a dark period in Canadian history during which indigenous children were forcefully relocated to white adoptive families. Now an adult, Raven is an uncompromising eco-activist, fighting against the corporate profiteering that threatens the natural sanctity of her ancestral land. The movie primarily showcases her struggle against the injustices faced by herself and her community.

Raven's tumultuous past intersects with her present when she is arrested for illegal protesting and ends up serving her sentence under house arrest in her estranged adoptive sister’s suburban home. This unforeseen scenario unveils a plethora of family tension and bitter resentment that flows in both ways - shining a light on the complexities of her relationship with her adoptive family versus the cultural ties she evidently feels with her indigenous roots.

Jon Cor portrays Colin, the middle-class husband of Raven's adoptive sister. His performance effectively portrays a character struggling to understand the depths of Raven’s world even though his well-meaning yet misguided overtures often lead to friction. Fiona Reid, playing the role of the adoptive mother, brings forth an empathetic performance, making the audience question the nature of adoption and the systemic racism with her deep-seated colonial mentality and oblivious actions.

Trouble in the Garden delves into the socio-political issues surrounding reconciliation, indigenous rights, and foster care. It wisely uses the symbolic garden in the backyard to represent the conflict of belonging, ownership, and the plunder of resources, subtly intertwining it in the narrative. The film asks essential questions about cultural heritage, the process of healing, and the possible ways to bridge a divide that's centuries old.

Raven's journey is emotionally complex, combative, and at times, deeply moving. Her character's intense rebellion and fight for justice certainly underscore the concept of identity in a profound and sensitive manner. It is her personal growth throughout the film that really anchors the central narrative, providing audiences with a compelling exploration of the indigenous reality that is too often ignored.

The film captures the essence of loss and displacement native communities face and how their continual fight for their rights is more than just a social issue, but a deeply personal one. Unveiling the layers of Raven's complex relationships with her family and her culture allows the audience to connect to her struggle on a human level.

The direction by Roz Owen is extraordinarily sensitive and compelling, skillfully layered so that the audience is gripped right from the beginning. Cinematographer Benjamin Lichty does an excellent job of capturing the beauty of the native North American landscape, contrasting starkly with the sterile suburbs where Raven is reluctantly held. The script, written by Owen and Michael Melski, is crisp, engaging, and thought-provoking, not shying away from shedding light on the harsh realities of the indigenous struggle.

The movie also boasts a meditative soundtrack that ties in seamlessly with its poignant narrative, underlining each revelation and realization that the characters go through.

Although "Trouble in the Garden" is essentially about one woman’s struggle, it represents the pain, loss, and resilience of an entire community. It's a movie that forces the audience to question, relate, and empathize, thereby setting up a dialogue that is extremely relevant and necessary in today's time. Unlike many films in the genre, it does not just skim the surface of the issues, but rather dives deep into the heart of complicated and delicate matters, providing a realistic and hard-hitting portrayal by drawing from actual historical events.

Many viewers will appreciate the film’s exploring of historical injustices coupled with interpersonal family dynamics and the bond of sisterhood, demonstrating the resilience and strength of a community that still stands tall despite decades of persecution. Despite its hard-hitting subject, "Trouble in the Garden" masterfully strikes a balance between political commentary and personal narrative, making it not just a film, but a strong statement advocating for rights and justice.