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.

I had the pleasure of watching this film at the Calgary International Film Festival yesterday, and I must say, it's a truly captivating and beautiful piece of cinema. The story delves into deep and relatable themes such as the corrupting power of money and greed, the strength and complexity of brotherhood, and the painful disconnection from one's roots and culture. These universal struggles are handled with such sensitivity and grace, making the film not only emotionally resonant but also thought-provoking.

Director and writer Sanjay Patel has truly outdone himself, crafting a delicate balance between tear-jerking moments and moments of laughter that feel so natural and heartfelt. It's been a long time since I've experienced a movie that manages to tug at your heartstrings while also making you smile, sometimes even in the same scene.

The Indigenous cast delivers absolutely stellar performances, bringing the story to life in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Every character feels authentic and layered, and their emotional journeys will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the film.

If you have the chance to see this movie, don't hesitate. It's an unforgettable experience, and I can't recommend it enough. This is a must-watch!

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.

I finally got to see "The Birds Who Fear Death" and review it, and it was a pretty cool ride. The movie follows two brothers who set off on a wild adventure deep in the Canadian wilderness. It mixes family drama with lots of down to earth humor and doesn't hold back on the real life messiness of family ties and finding your own identity. The backdrop/cast is amazing and Alberta's epic landscapes and genuine Indigenous vibes add a whole extra layer to the story. It's a chill, heartfelt movie that sticks with you. Definitely give it a watch if you're into stories that feel real and a bit offbeat.