2021 - VR

Cinematic VR by Niitsitapi writer and director Ahnahktsipiitaa (Colin Van Loon), confronting some of the darker sides of living life in Canada while Indigenous. Inside this immersive virtual world, the viewer is called to witness to some of the grim realities Indigenous Peoples have experienced. We explore the stories of two Indigenous men wounded by the colonial tradition of systemic racism. These stories disrupt the status quo, laying bare the benign cruelty of colonial oppression, and dare to ask, “Now that you know, just what are you going to do about it?”

This Is Not a Ceremony features Piikani First Nation member Adam North Peigan, who was Director of the Board and Treaty 7 Rep at the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta; Winnipeg-based Robert Sinclair, medical system reform advocate; Vancouver-based spoken word artist Tawahum Bige; the late actor Taran (Standing Sunrise) Kootenhayoo; and late Indigenous leader Lilian Rose Howard.

The live action 360 video is enhanced by art direction and motion graphics by Toronto-based Cree visual artist and art director James Monkman, as well as music and sound design by Nagamo Publishing, an Indigenous music publisher in Toronto.

360 video shot on three locations with a cast and crew of 54 people, primarily Indigenous. Shot using an Insta360 Titan and including 3D animation made using Cinema 4D, Maya and After Effects. Winner Canadian Screen Award.

World Premiere at Sundance Film Festival | Meta Store | About | Globe and Mail Review