Private Project

Brother, I Cry

"Brother, I Cry is a dramatic peek into the life of
Jon –- a young First Nations man trapped in a
world of addiction and cultural displacement. While
living a high-risk lifestyle as a wanted car thief and
drug addict, Jon finds himself in trouble with his
"friend" Martin, a well-known drug dealer after his
sister Ava turns both Jon and Martin into the
police."

  • Jessie Anthony
    Director
  • Jessie Anthony
    Writer
  • Jessie Anthony
    Producer
  • Andy Hodgson
    Producer
    Woodland
  • Justin Rain
    Key Cast
    "Jon "
    Fear the walking Dead
  • Lauren Hill
    Key Cast
    "Ava "
  • Violet Cameron
    Key Cast
    "Leah "
  • Jessie Anthony
    Key Cast
    "Martin "
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Student
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 37 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    132,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Vancouver International Film Festival
    Vancouver
    Canada
    September 24, 2020
    World
    Official Selection , BC Emerging Filmmaker Award 2020
  • imagineNative Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    October 20, 2020
    Official Selection, Audience Choice Award 2020
  • Skabmagovat Indigenous Peoples Film Festival

    Finland
    January 29, 2021
  • Vancouver International Women Film Festival
    Vancouver
    Canada
    March 4, 2021
    Best Screenplay
Director Biography - Jessie Anthony

Writer/Director/Producer Jessie Anthony is a proud Haudenosaunee woman from the Onondaga Nation, Beaver clan, born and raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario Canada. Jessie is a graduate of the Indigenous Independent Filmmaking Program and has recently received her Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts Degree from Capilano University. Jessie is a 2017 Talent to watch (Formally Telefilm Micro-budget program) winner and is currently in post-production for her first feature film titled “ Brother, I Cry ” a glimpse into modern reservation lifestyles as siblings Jon and Ava struggle through addictions and spiritual connection.

Jessie also produced “Pookmis” a Story Hive funded short film and was an associate producer of O For A Thousand Tongues a BravoFact Short Film set in Haida Gwaii. She was the first Assistant Director on The Edge of the Knife, co-directed by Helen
Haig-Brown and Haida Artist, Gwaai Edenshaw. Jessie was a finalist at the MPPIA 2017 short film award competition, where she received an honorable mention for her pitch presentation and short film The Last Cigarette. She directed the documentary
Through My Needle, which follows a Mohawk woman designer and her family; exploring culture and clan through beading and design of indigenous regalia. Jessie worked on the Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (NBC Universal), River of Silence (Telefilm), Going For
Broke (Telus/Red Castle Films), Man in the High Castle (Amazon) and La Quinceanera (Lucha Gore -Time Warner) and many more.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Brother, I Cry is based on true events in my life. I wanted to write a story that created a dialogue about drug addiction, enabling and fight or flight survival within my community. I wanted to share my fears for my brother with the world; as I know many people know or have a brother like mine. It's a dark movie but it is made with love, light, and faith, in hopes that people will find comfort. I want this story to hold space for those struggling with and through an addict, their addiction, enabling and everything else that comes with it. I am a proud Haudensouness woman from the Onondaga Nation Beaver clan and I work hard to create change through conversation. Thank you for your consideration. Nyawenha.