The story of Canada's Indian residential schools is an important one that needs to be told, said Stephen Campanelli, director of the film “Indian Horse,” which screens Sept. 22 at Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival.
That's why when he heard a director was needed for the film — an adaptation of the late Richard Wagamese's 2012 book of the same name — Campanelli, who's best known as Clint Eastwood's long-time cameraman, jumped at the chance.
“Growing up here in Canada, I had never heard about this story,” said Campanelli last week in a phone interview with Sudbury.com.
“When I read the book, I was angered and shocked and shamed. I just felt like I wanted to do something about it.
“I jumped at the chance when I heard the movie was looking for a director. I got attached to it. I did this impassioned plea and said 'Please let me be the one to tell this story truthfully and honestly, and get Richard's words on the big screen.' Luckily it all happened.”
Shot in 2016 in Sudbury, Copper Cliff and Killarney, “Indian Horse” is about a young boy named Saul Indian Horse torn from his family as a young boy and sent one of Canada's notorious residential schools.
There, amidst the horror of abuse, psychological torture and despair, Saul finds salvation in the unlikeliest of places and favourite Canadian past-times — hockey.
Campanelli said he's hoping the film will start a conversation about the legacy of residential schools in Canada.
Sadly, Wagamese, who passed away from natural causes in March, never got to see the film, which premiered last week at the Toronto International Film Festival, and is also the Friday gala at Cinéfest.
If you want to see it, hopefully you already have your tickets, because the Sudbury screening is sold out.
A rush line will be started at Cinéfest Sudbury’s SilverCity Box Office prior to the film’s Sept. 22 screening, should any remaining seats be available.
Wagamese collaborated on the film at the script-writing stage, and even auditioned for an on-screen role, but was unable to take part in the filming because of his illness.
“I know (Wagamese) would be incredibly proud,” said Campanelli. “We have dedicated the film to him. We are honouring him at any chance we can, because without him, we would never have been able to tell this story.”
The film stars Sladen Peltier as Saul as a child, Forrest Goodluck as Saul as a teen and Ajuawak Kapashesit as Saul at age 22.
Sladen, a 10-year-old Grade 6 student who lives in Ottawa, has family roots in the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island.
He will be on hand at the Cinéfest screening along with Campanelli. Sladen said he's excited for the Sudbury film festival because his relatives from Manitoulin Island are coming in for the occasion.
He found out about the role while playing in the Little NHL hockey tournament with the Wiki T-Birds. Although he'd never acted in so much as a school play, Sladen auditioned and got the part.
A memorable part of the filming experience was when Sladen has his hair cut while the cameras were rolling.
Among some First Nations, braided hair has a spiritual significance, and Sladen had been growing his out since he was five. In residential schools, students' hair was cut when they got to school.
Sladen, who has several older relatives who went to residential school, said he decided this was a sacrifice he was willing to make to educate people about what went on at the schools.
“I didn't really want to go in this movie if I had to get my hair cut, but then I realized it was going to teach lots of people,” he said.
The young actor's parents, Alex Peltier and Katelin Gillis, are both bursting with pride for their son.
“I was kind of shocked when I watched him in action,” said Peltier. “I knew it was a given for hockey. He would be able to do that. But just to see him out there in front of the cameras and everything, he was quite a natural.”
Cinéfest runs until Sunday night. For a full lineup and ticket information, visit the festival's website.
