Johnny Crow
A poetic and transformative journey of a young man’s physical, mental, and spiritual struggle to return to his son through the criminal justice system and the layers of colonization it represents. Created by animating spray-painted murals frame-by-frame, Cree artist Jesse Gouchey painted each frame on large outdoor surfaces over a period of seven years in numerous locations across Alberta and BC. Johnny Crow's struggle speaks to the resilience of modern day warriors surviving and resisting bureaucratic battles of written laws vs oral traditions, and is contrasted by a haunting poem written and performed by spoken word artist Mitcholos Touchie. Turtle Island agreements were to share, and nobody was conquered. Today's resistance seeks to expose and correct treaty trickery, the dishonourable paper wars that are won and lost with the flick of a stock market digit.
Music by Bullhorn Singers (Kainai), Billy Wadsworth (Kainai), Celina Kalluk (Inuit-Canadian), Daniel Neary, Pura Fé (Tuscarora), Cary L. Morin, and Antonia Crescioni.
Spoken word: Mitcholos Touchie (Hitacu, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ x Nuučaan̓uɫ)
*Note there is also a version with three "f*** offs" at the start of the film, if you prefer to screen that version. https://vimeo.com/632774944
Password: CROW
The non-explicit version is what is attached to this profile.
-
Xstine CookDirectorSpirit of the Bluebird
-
Jesse GoucheyDirectorSpirit of the Bluebird
-
Xstine CookProducerRKLSS, Spirit of the Bluebird, Hop Along Hang On
-
Micholos TouchieKey Cast"Spoken Word"
-
Xstine CookWriterSpirit of the Bluebird
-
Jesse GoucheyWriterSpirit of the Bluebird
-
Mitcholos TouchieWriter
-
Jesse GoucheyAnimatorSpirit of the Bluebird
-
Daniel GearyMusic
-
Celina KallukMusic
-
Pura FéMusic
-
Bull Horn SingersMusic
-
Neil EvensonEditor
-
Jesse GoucheyCameraSpirit of the Bluebird
-
Veronica ReevesCamera
-
Project Type:Animation, Experimental, Short
-
Runtime:7 minutes 15 seconds
-
Completion Date:September 15, 2021
-
Production Budget:40,000 USD
-
Country of Origin:Canada
-
Country of Filming:Canada
-
Language:English
-
Shooting Format:Digital
-
Aspect Ratio:16:9
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:No
-
Student Project:No
-
American Indian Film FestivalSan Francisco
United States -
RNCI Red Nation International Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States -
Anchorage International Film FestivalAnchorage
United States -
New Haven International Film FestivalNew Haven
United States
Distribution Information
-
Xstine Cook