Join us at the Rio Theatre for the BC Premiere of Raven Banner’s THE NORTHLANDER, Benjamin Ross Hayden‘s Alberta-lensed, breakout dystopian sci-fi fantasy being lauded as one of, “indigineous cinema’s most important films” (Vice Magazine).

Visionary director Hayden – who, at 25, was the youngest filmmaker to ever receive funding from Telefilm Canada’s micro-budget program – has crafted an important Canadian feature with THE NORTHLANDER, a film that marries unique, Metis themes into one of cinema’s most beloved genres. The film is set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic wasteland without technology or society, where humans struggle to survive because of a lack of food and water. A hunter named Cygnus (Corey Sevier) must travel across a desert valley to protect his tribe against a band of heretics.

Filmmakers (TBD) will be joining us to both introduce the film and take questions as part of a Q&A following the screening.

“THE NORTHLANDER is the first indigenous sci-fi movie to be produced on such a large scale. This Aboriginal fantasy feature film is set in the year 2961, a post-apocalyptic time without society, technology, or easily available resources. Two communities are in conflict, and a hunter named Cygnus is called to protect his people called Last Arc. The director, Canadian Metis Benjamin Ross Hayden brings this movie to life with indigenous actors like Roseanne Supernault and Michelle Thrush, creative character designs, and action-packed scenes. It’s definitely exciting to see indigenous film move into different genres.” (Vice Magazine)

“THE NORTHLANDER has a certain MAD MAX vibe, with its hostile, post-apocalyptic feel magnified by the rocky and beautifully bleak terrain… but it also has deeper philosophical leanings about the search for identity and self-determination, which is meant to resonate with the modern-day reality of the Metis and other indigenous groups.” (The Calgary Herald)

THE NORTHLANDER (Benjamin Ross Hayden, 2017 / 98 mins / Rating TBD) In the year 2961, the time is after humanity and nature has recovered the land. A hunter named Cygnus is called to protect his people. He travels across a desert valley to protect his tribe against a band of Heretics. Cygnus must find a way for his tribe to survive.