The Birds Who Fear Death

Full of heart, this touching drama has a compelling story, great acting all around and absolutely delicious cinematography. A few hard won laughs in its dark subject matter about the plight of modern day indigenous peoples of Canada. A story of family, community, personal growth and redemption. More than charming, it makes a journey and takes you with it.

With Canada's top indigenous actors vAdam Beach, Simon Baker, Carmen Moore, Graham Greene, Glen Gould, Nathaniel Arcand, Michelle Thrush, Tanaya Beatty and more, the acting is solid and the dialogue is real.

I highly recommend this new Canadian gem.

The death of their estranged father sends two brothers on the trip of a lifetime. As their father's spirit heads for the great beyond they head to the back of beyond, where it all started.

In this richly textured homecoming to a home they never knew, Bird, Adan and Ryan encounter beauty, tragedy, heartbreak, and ultimate loss.

Achingly beautiful prairie vistas are superbly captured as a backdrop to nuanced and righteously subtle actor portrayals.

The flight to Bird is indeed a complicated one. It dive bombs for truth, banks with introspection and swoops with unexpected mirth.

The Birds Who Fear Death is a movie worth watching with writer, director and producer Sanjay Patel's grit, passion and heart emblazoned across it's wingspan.

This film is an absolute must-see, blending a powerful story with breathtaking visuals and an incredible Indigenous cast. It delves deep into themes of family, culture, greed, and redemption, offering an emotional journey that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. The performances from Canada's top Indigenous actors, like Adam Beach and Graham Greene, are authentic and deeply compelling, bringing each character to life in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Director Sanjay Patel balances raw emotion with moments of genuine humour, making the film both thought-provoking and entertaining. The cinematography, showcasing Alberta's natural beauty, is stunning and perfectly complements the story's tone. This film is a beautiful exploration of cultural disconnection, personal growth, and the strength of human connection. Don't miss out on this captivating experience-it's a gem that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Writer, director Sanjay Patel has a real winner here. Through in-depth consultation with many members of Canada's indigenous community, combined with his own life experiences, he has crafted a story filled with heart, honesty, humour, serious personal and cultural conflict, more than a little heartbreak, and ultimately redemption.

The all-star cast is filled with many of Canada's finest actors, including Adam Beach, Simon Baker, Carmen Moore, Graham Greene, Glen Gould, Nathaniel Arcand, Michelle Thrush, Tanaya Beatty and so many more. Every member of the cast brings a level of honesty to their performances which elevates the movie from beginning to end. Huxley Fisher, as Norman is a standout, and I hope we get to see more of him over the years to come.

Charles Hamilton's cinematography is spot on, and often showcases the raw beauty of Alberta's natural scenery. This film is currently on the festival circuit and I highly recommend taking this one in.

This film is an absolute gem-full of heart... to say the least, with a gripping story, top-notch acting, and stunning visuals... The cast of Canada's finest Indigenous actors like Adam Beach and Graham Greene totally delivers, and the dialogue feels so real.

It dives deep into heavy themes like money, brotherhood, and losing touch with culture, but balances it all with moments that'll make you laugh and cry, often at the same time.... Sanjay Patel nailed it with his direction.

Caught it at the Calgary International Film Fest this weekend, and I seriously can't recommend it enough. If you get the chance, don't miss this one-it's unforgettable!