Directed by Arlea Ashcroft

Synopsis: Métis, Métis Not is a video documentation of the filmmaker's lack of relationship with her cultural background. It explores her own myths, stereotypes, and clichés from reenacting the discovery of her native heritage to embracing her Métis-ness late in life, transforming into a Gift Shop Native Doll. The piece deals with feelings of guilt, lack of entitlement, and the filmmaker's own naiveté at her personal cultural crossroads and what it means to be Métis.

Distribution Contact: WFG

More Details

RUNTIME: 11 Minutes
GENRE: Experimental
PRODUCTION FORMAT: HD
LANGUAGE: English
KEYWORDS: Aboriginal, Métis, Self-Discovery, Cultural Identity, Metis, Indigenous Filmmaker, Female Filmmaker

Director's Statement: I usually have a specific plan when I create, but with this project I choose to go a more organic route. Relying on gut instinct and not storyboards, I documented my lack of relationship with my cultural background. I explored my own myths, stereotypes, and clichés from reenacting the discovery of my native heritage to my attempts to embrace my Metis-ness or Metis Not-ness at such a late age. I kept the project low-fi, by shooting most footage solo, and transformed myself into a Gift Shop Native Doll complete with packaging. The piece deals with my feelings of guilt, lack of entitlement, and own naiveté at my personal cultural crossroads and what it meant to be Metis. It has a homemade simplicity that is truthful and heartfelt.