Wow, this movie is seriously one of the best Indigenous films I've seen in forever-and honestly, just one of the best films, period! Huge shoutout to Sanjay Patel for wearing so many hats on this project and bringing such a beautiful, touching, and hopeful story to life. Here's the scoop on the film (spoilers ahead!):
So, Adam (played by Adam Beach) and Ryan Spence (played by Simon Baker) are hit with a shock when they find out their dad, William, left all his money to an Indigenous community in Northern Alberta instead of to them. When they get there, they're faced with the harsh reality of a cancer crisis affecting the community, all tied to industrial development. The acting chief, Faddy (Played by Glen Gould), is not holding back and blames their dad for all the mess.
The brothers decide they want to get their inheritance back, so they try to make some allies in the community. They go to Don (played by Nathaniel Arcand) for help after Sharon gives them the idea, but they back off when his demands get too steep.
Despite all the drama at first, the memory of Ed Whitford, a former chief respected by everyone, gives them a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. Faddy starts to see that there's more going on than just their dad's actions and chooses to let go of the inheritance. But this sets off Don, leading to a big, violent showdown that ends tragically with Ryan's death.
Adam, crushed by grief and unsure of where his life is headed, seeks peace in the wilderness. His journey helps him find a simpler way to live, shifting from greed to a real connection with nature and people. This is where Adam starts to find redemption and personal growth.
