cINeDIGENOUS at SIFF: Representation from Voices Traditionally Silenced

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) has closed for in-person viewing with a successful series of films shown over the past weeks. While the theaters have stopped showings, SIFF continued to play some films via online streaming. SIFF took a close and considerate involvement with Indigenous film creators with a designated category and showcase. Three films that caught attention ranged from Indigenous Mexican, Aboriginal, and Native Hawaiian stories.

In Valentina or the Serenity, directed by Indigenous filmmaker Angeles Cruz, the story focuses on innocent, Mextican girl Valentina, played by Danae Ahuja Aparicio, coping through the loss of her father who died on a trip to get Valentina a doll. Cruz emphasizes the role of family in Valentina’s loss with a large cast of strong Mextican representation across the movie and seemingly indistinguishable roles between family and friend. Cruz’s use of supernatural moments keep the viewer guessing on what is reality. With the innocence of a child, Valentina takes her own journey apart from her family to cope. In a slow burn feeling with long, filled beats, she turns to nearly fatal risks to connect with her father. In the end it may have been worth it.

While Valentina and her family might have reached a clear ending, an Indigenous Hawaiian film, Moloka'i Bound, by director Alika Tengen, utilizes long cuts to focus on the slow reality of what might be a mundane life for the protagonist, Kainoa, played by Holden-Mandrial Santos. From the start of the film we sit through the first moments as Kainoa steps out of a seven-year sentence and is advised by his parole officer. Through the film we hear a very thick Hawaiian pidgin dialogue amongst all characters showcasing the melting pot of influence other languages have had on the islands. Santos’s character falls into old habits and interacts with past life characters that might be a downfall to his development. But we see the importance and values of the character shine through his considerations in his next steps. Santos beautifully portrays his inner conflict with heavy, filled beats. Though, good intentions might not set a man free. 

Filmmaker at SIFF’s cINeDIGENOUS showing, Uptown Cinema, May 17, 2024. / The Evergreen Echo

In another notable Indigenous film during SIFF, The New Boy, directed by Wariwck Thornton, throws the main character into an unknown Catholic boarding school. Aswan Reid did an amazing performance as aboriginal child. With no lines, Reid’s acting carried the plot and story strong through the entirety of the film. To add more real context, Thornton puts his childhood into the film with similar experiences to Reid’s character. While the movie is not a straightforward autobiography, moments of fiction illustrate the strong symbolism right up until the last moments of the film. 

Indigenous films have penetrated through multiple barriers within the film industry recently. SIFF is happy to put focus and recognition of all Indigenous films through the festival. Look forward to the future of these directors and actors. Some cast and crew appeared in the showings, have made appearances at Cannes, and won awards through their Indigenous stories. While the festival showings have ended, some films are still streaming through SIFF. If you have the opportunity, take the moment and watch.