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A familiar dystopian tale is given a compelling indigenous twist
Dir/scr: Danis Goulet. Canada/New Zealand. 2020. 97mins.
The dystopian sci-fi drama is approached from a fresh perspective in Night Raiders, a deeply-felt parable about the eradication of indigenous North Americans. Writer-director Danis Goulet’s feature debut is often more thoughtful than it is riveting, utilising familiar elements for a story of a mother desperate to rescue her 11 year-old daughter who has been shipped off to a state-run academy to be assimilated. Working impressively with a low budget, Goulet capably produces an atmosphere of melancholy and societal decay, even if her plotting isn’t quite as nimble as her political commentary. Night Raiders is part of Berlin’s Panorama section, where its recognisable genre trappings could make it an attractive offering for subsequent festivals. Oscar-winner Taika Waititi’s involvement as executive producer should only further boost visibility.
A pointed commentary helps enliven a film that otherwise faithfully adheres to audience expectations.
Elle-Maija Tailfeathers plays Niska, who fervently protects her daughter Waseese (Brooklyn Letexier-Hart) during a bleak near-future in which children must report to boarding schools that...