THE GRIZZLIES
Canada, 2018, 102 minutes, Colour.
Ben Schnetzer, Tantoo Cardinal, Will Sasso, Boo-Boo? Stewart, Emerald Mc Donald, Anna Lambe.
Directed by Miranda de Pencier.
No, not a nature documentary about bears in the American or Canadian woods. The Grizzlies is the title of a sports team, an unlikely group, underdogs, going into competition, finding themselves. Sounds like a sports film formula – and, in some ways it is, but there is much more to it, and there is much more edge.
The setting is in northern Canada, an isolated community. And the majority of the inhabitants are Inuit. With 20th century in 21st-century changes, the youngsters in the community have very little to look forward to, not interested in education, have some loyalty to their parents and the traditions, with many of the older generations warning them against the white man’s world. There is a school, many of them don’t go – although, during the initial credits, there are many black and white photographs of education in the area, the missionaries, the sisters, the discipline…
The film opens rather lyrically, a young man walking through the snow clad mountains – and then killing himself. The words on screen telling us that this area has the highest youth suicide rate in the country. So, quite a sombre setting – and this issue of youth suicide recurs during the film and is strikingly dramatic in the final 25 minutes.
And, the young people just sit around, drinking, drugs, idle.
And, into the situation comes a very earnest and enthusiastic young man, graduated as a teacher, appointed here, but practically no preparation for such a cultural change, bringing his white Canadian baggage to the situations, to the encounters, destined for failure. His played by the genial Ben Schnetzer (Death and life of John Donovan, Pride,). It looks as though it is going to be one of those stories of a white saviour coming in to redeem the locals and bring them to some kind of celebration. And, in a way it is. However, much of the dialogue targets him, especially from the veteran school principal (veteran actress Tantoo Cardinal), and, in his disappointment and self-blame taught the end, he has to be reminded that he has urged the young people to go forward, no matter what, and that this issue is not just about him.
The first part of the film is rather depressing, showing the harsh situations for adults and youngsters. While rice has an idea to introduce lacrosse, he needs the support of some of the young people themselves. His most devoted student, rather silent, heavy build and self-conscious, Miranda (Emerald McDonald) has a talent for organisation, and comes out of herself to start organising and advising. In a sense, she is the moral and optimistic core of the whole drama. The young people follow the lead of one of their peers, are interested, get the hang of lacrosse, get enthusiastic, play.
The crisis comes when Russ applies for the team to go into the national competition in Toronto. The principal disagrees. The town Council, with an annual grant from a mining company, think that giving the team money is a waste and wrong emphasis. Russ is impetuous, pushy and arrogant (the principles words to him), but he has to begin to learn some of the local customs, language, listen as well is talk to parents and grandparents.
It is not a spoiler to say that they do get to Toronto – but with not quite the results they might have anticipated, but achieving some sense of pride and camaraderie.
It is that kind of inspirational sports film – but, given the social conditions and the prevalence of youth suicide, it is an inspiration with challenging edge.
1. The tradition of inspirational films? The tradition of sports films? The creation of a team? Play and spirit? Underdogs? The use of the formula here? Variations?
2. Based on a true story, the photos of the team and individuals at the end? Russ Shepard and Kyle as technical advisors on Lacrosse, Shepard appearing as the Toronto referee?
3. The summer opening, the young man walking in the mountains, shooting himself? The information about statistics and youth suicide in the area? And the later suicide at the end of the film?
4. The Inuit outpost, the community, the different generations, language, traditions, adaptation to the 20th and 21st-century is, hostility to the white man’s way? The social settings, the school, absenteeism? Work opportunities? Fishing and markets? Hunting?
5. The young people in the town, banding together, sitting, idle, drinking, drugs? Dispirited?
6. Russ Shepard, his background, teacher qualifications, the later offer of prestigious positions, his presence in the North? Arrival, the discussions with the school principal, his class? Some present, some absent, lack of interest, and has an answering back?
7. Russ, unprepared for the culture, the image of the man from the South coming in, solutions, pushy and arrogant, slow in listening, slow in learning?
8. , The white man, place in the town, friendly with Russ, helping him out? Drinking?
9. The variety of young people, Adam and his leadership, the strong stances of his grandparents? Zach, his young friend, family, the abusive father? Kyle, standoffish, his own background? The contrast with the girls? Spring, relationship, her being battered, absent from school?
10. Miranda, heavy build, seemingly sleepy, her answers in class, her skills, organising, ideas, explaining to Russ about inviting Adam as leader, her continued work, skills, her blossoming, the clashes at home, the violence? Her coming out of herself? The disappointment for Russ, his wanting to leave, her quoting him against himself, her telling him that was not all about himself?
11. The idea of la cross, Russ and his skills, the agreement of the principal?
12. The initial failure, Adam Cumming, the group, discovering the game, the rules, the skills, contact? The practices, the increasing skills, the effect on the young people, morale? Some approval from the adults, disapproval?
13. The range of fundraising, the enthusiasm, Miranda and her charts? Her writing to the group with Grants? The request to the town Council for money from the grant? The meeting, Russ and his impatience? The principal and the decision of refusing the money for the trip to Toronto? The impassioned plea about the effect on morale?
14. The preparations? The competition? Zach, his father, the injuries? The young friend and his not being able to go? Zach, killing himself? The effect of the death, the funeral?
15. Russ, upset, packing to leave, the challenge from Miranda?
16. Adam, his grandparents, Russ and his visit, the exchange of views? The grandparents and their support?
17. To Toronto, the matches, the exhilaration of the city, defeats, spirit, the decision to get one goal – and the dramatic success and its effect? The happy return?
18. The ever-tension between stories of “saviours� coming into communities, and the listening to the communities and the communities achieving their own success?
