Beans

This story is inspired by true events that took place during the 1990 Oka Crisis, a 78-day armed stand-off between the Quebec/Canadian governments and the Mohawk. 12-year-old, Beans lives with her parents and little sister on the Mohawk reserve. She is happy, safe and protected. One day however, Beans witnesses a peaceful Mohawk protest against a golf course expansion that threatens sacred burial ground, erupt into a confrontation. What happens next changes everything as the armed standoff brings a level of racism and violence that Beans has never seen and is unprepared for. She feels helpless and powerless and does not like the feeling. So, she decides she must grow up, toughen up and become her own kind of warrior. The challenges facing Beans and the choices she makes along the way in this coming-of-age film might be familiar to teens who have witnessed and experienced protest, racism and racial tension on their own terms. Growing up in times like these is not easy. However, choices have consequences. Bean’s journey inspires us to consider what kind of warriors we want to be.

Winner of Crystal Bear at the Generation Section at Berlinale 2020 and honored as One of Toronto IFF Canada’s Top 10 films, TIFF Emerging Talent Award, and TIFF's Rising Star.