Completed - ENGLISH - Second film, Drama, Family - 99 minutes
Three generations of Native Canadian women discover that family can help them escape their past and provide a second chance.
Year of production : 2013 Director(s) : Peter STEBBINGS Writer(s) : Shannon MASTERS Cast : Cara GEE, Shay EYRE, Jennifer PODEMSKI, Luke KIRBY, Jordan PRENTICE, Lawrence BAYNE, Tonya LEE WILLIAMS, Michael CRAM Producer(s) : Jennifer PODEMSKI (RedCloud Studios), Geoff EWART, Heather DAHLSTROM
As in many Native families, Lena Mahikan (Cara Gee) grew up in the cycle of abuse. Her father, a residential school survivor, was an alcoholic until he killed himself when Lena was 10. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, turned to the slots and was consumed. By the time Lena was 15, she was pregnant and, before giving birth, was kicked to the curb by her mom. For 13 years Lena has been living, poverty stricken in Toronto, struggling to make ends meet, being chased by her own demons. The cycle continues and Lena is now watching helplessly as her own daughter, Peeka (Shay Eyre) spirals out of control, landing herself in the ER following a drug overdose. As her final attempt at survival, Lena decides to return home and face her own mother and a past she’s tried desperately to escape. Empire of Dirt tells the story of three generations of Mahikan women who are given a second chance to be family and put an end to the painful legacy that has plagued them.
Country(ies) : CANADA Start of shooting : September 2012
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Toronto - TIFF 2013 Contemporary World Cinema