TIFF 2019: CBC Indigenous lists 5 films to watch

The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off next week and CBC Indigenous has a list of fivefilmsto catch at this year's event.

Blood Quantum

Director: Jeff Barnaby

Jeff Barnaby returns to the big screen with hisfollow up to Rhymes for Young Ghouls. Blood Quantum isa zombie thriller that offers a political critique oncolonialsystems used to determine Indigenous status.

In the film, people in an isolated Mi'kmaw community discoverthey are the only humansimmune to a zombieplague. The community mustdecide if they shouldoffer refuge to outsiders escaping the virus at the risk of their own safety.

Jordan River Anderson, the Messenger

Director: Alanis Obomsawin

Alanis Obomsawin's 53rd film documents the story of a young boy who spent all five years of his life in hospital while the provincial and federal government argued over who wasresponsible for paying for the boy's care.

After facing criticismfor the boy's death, Parliament passed a motion in support of "Jordan's Principle," a policy meant to ensure equal access to government-funded health, social and educational services, although living up to the principle took a decade to be fully recognized.

Kuessipan

Director: Myriam Verreault

Myriam Verrault bringsNaomi Fontaine's novel abouttwo childhood friends from a Quebec Innu community to the big screen.

In it, the two friends realize their lives are heading in different directions after they promised each other they would stick together no matter what.

One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk

Director: Zacharias Kunuk

Acclaimed director ofAtanarjuat: The Fast RunnerZacharias Kunuk returns to TIFF with One Day in the life of Noah Piugattuk.

Set in 1961, an Inukhunter and his family encounter emissaries from the government pressuring themtomove into a permanent settlementand send their children to school.

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open

Directors: Elle-Mij Tailfeathers and Kathleen Hepburn

A collaboration betweenElle-Mij Tailfeathers and Kathleen Hepburnsees two Indigenous women from different backgrounds come together by chance.

Tailfeathers, a member of the Kainai First Nation as well as Smi from Norway, triples as lead, co-writer, and co-director alongside TIFF veteran Hepburn.

TIFF runs Sept. 5-15.