The best Sci Fi tells us a story about our real lived experience but disguises it slightly in the trappings of futuristic or technological fiction to give us the perspective a more grounded take may not be able to offer. As audiences we often cannot unentangle the real world circumstances to be able to understand a story more completely and science fiction gives us that space to do that. Marginalized populations have been using this tactic to tell their stories for generations. Night Raiders from director Danis Goulet and producer Taika Waititi is a classic example of that.
Set in a dystopian future where an empiric republic is taking the children of its defeated outsiders, Night Raiders' analogy is fairly transparent but allows us to explore themes around genocidal practices such as residential schools. It tells an adventure story about resistance that centres those on the margine instead of centring the empire. Goulet is very effective in evoking the terror and hopelessness of those caught in this system of oppression.
The film takes some short cuts and there are some convenient plot points that allow it to skip over some of the more difficult or complex issues. However what Night Raiders does well is gives us plain sight into what has been obfuscated for so long. It also tells a truly gripping story, entertaining while also affecting. Night Riders is invigorating cinema.
Night Raiders
Starring: Elle-Máijá Apiniskim Tailfeathers, Brooklyn Letexier-Hart, Alex Tarrant, Amanda Plummer, Violet Nelson
Writer/Director: Danis Goulet
No comments:
Post a Comment