When Áila encounters a young Indigenous woman, barefoot and crying in the rain on the side of a busy street in East Vancouver, she soon discovers that this young woman, Rosie, has just escaped a violent assault at the hands of her boyfriend. Áila decides to bring Rosie home with her and over the course of the evening, the two navigate the aftermath of this traumatic event. Inspired by a very real and transformative moment in the co-director Elle-Máijá Tailfeather‘s life, THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN weaves an intricately complex, while at the same time very simple, story of a chance encounter between two Indigenous women with drastically different lived experience, navigating the aftermath of domestic abuse.

The filmmakers’ intention with this film is to incite discourse around violence against women, racism, and social inequality. It will question our complacency in the face of such violence and the complications of how we react in its presence. Ultimately, the story draws from and brings attention to the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and girls.

“A gem of a film.” (Ava Duvernay)

“Quietly illustrates the eternal conundrum of trying to be good without being a do-gooder, and trying to be independent while also recognizing the need for a helping hand.” (Toronto Star)

“Filmed almost entirely in real time, and using a series of long, intimate takes, “The Body Remembers” is about privilege and its lack, motherhood and its absence, race and its legacy.” (NYTimes)

“When a movie is packed with this much craft and topical import…I feel obligated as a film fan to tell as many people as possible about the cinematic experience they may be missing out on.” (Birth.Movies.Death.)

“Subtle and involving.” (Hollywood Reporter)

Tuesday, January 21
Doors 8:45 pm | Movie 9:15 pm
Advance tickets $13 HERE | $13 at the door

Sunday, January 26 Final Screening!
Doors 4:15 pm | Movie 4:45 pm *Start time subject to change.
Advance tickets $13 HERE | $13 at the door

*Minors welcome in the balcony! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK. Please redeem at the door.

THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN (ELLE-MÁIJÁ TAILFEATHERS & KATHLEEN HEPBURN, 2019 / 14A / 105 mins) Two Indigenous women from vastly different backgrounds find their worlds colliding on an East Vancouver, B.C. sidewalk when brutality and fear drives one of them out from her home and into the cold rain. As this intimate yet challenging encounter develops, what began as violent and terrifying tentatively expands as the women’s shared imagery and cultural experience weave a fragile bond between them. Both women now must face their own unique struggle as they navigate the complexities of motherhood, class, race, and the ongoing legacy of colonialism.