Directors JULIAN BRAVE NOISECAT, EMILY KASSIE (US 2023) 107 min

The recipient of this year’s Sundance US Documentary Directing Award, Sugarcane offers a sensitive exploration of the harrowing legacy of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, where Indigenous children endured unimaginable abuses aimed at eradicating their cultural identity. Directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie delicately unfold personal narratives of resilience amidst the revelation of unmarked children’s graves; through interviews with survivors such as activist Charlene Belleau and NoiseCat’s father, they gather poignant insights into the intergenerational effects of residential-school trauma. For former chief Rick Gilbert and other First Nations leaders, a pilgrimage to meet with the Pope represents an initial step towards healing and reconciliation. Registering Sugarcane’s atrocities may seem daunting, but it’s crucial to shed light on these widespread injustices and demand accountability. In the hands of these directors, the message is unmistakable: addressing these issues requires compassion and empathy.