Vancouver, BC (January 26, 2023) – Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc. announced today that Bones of Crows, the feature film written and directed by award-winning Métis/Dene filmmaker Marie Clements has added new dates and locations to its National Indigenous community screening tour. The free community screenings commence in Port Hardy on January 31st, 2023 and continue with screenings in Campbell River, Sidney, Victoria, Coquitlam, Squamish, Sechelt, Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Courtenay, Nanaimo, and Powell River. These communities will be some of the first people to see the film, ahead of its theatrical release in 2023.
Bones of Crows is a multi-generational epic story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Secwépemc actor Grace Dove; and Carla Rae). Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, young musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Over the next hundred years, Aline and her descendants fight against systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse — and to build a more just future. Bones of Crows stars Secwépemc actor Grace Dove (Alaska Daily), Phillip Forest Lewitski (Wildhood), Rémy Girard (District 31), Karine Vanasse (Cardinal), Alyssa Wapanatâhk (Peter Pan), Michelle Thrush (Prey), Gail Maurice (Night Raiders), Cara Gee (The Expanse), TIFF Rising Star Joshua Odjick, and a fantastic cast of Indigenous talent from across the country.
The dramatic feature film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and has been received with acclaim from audiences around the world at film festivals including VIFF, Cinéfest, CIFF, and more. Bones of Crows is also accompanied by a five part mini-series commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN.
Some of the cast including Summer Testawich, who plays the young Aline Spears, will be attending the screenings from February 6th through 17th and Evan Adams will be in attendance for his hometown screening in Powell River on February 17th.
Bones of Crows is produced by Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc, with Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions. The film is written, directed, and produced by Marie Clements, Produced by Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler, and Executive Produced by Sam Grana, Aaron Gilbert, Steven Thibault, Noah Segal, and Associate Produced by Leena Minifie and Kerriann Cardinal. Bones of Crows is being distributed by Elevation Pictures in Canada.
Bones of Crows is a CBC/Radio-Canada original production, produced with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, ISO (Indigenous Screen Office), APTN, Société Radio-Canada, Rogers Telefund, Independent Production Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, Bell Fund, Creative BC, First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Cultural Council and Indigenous Arts Program, the BC Arts Council, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC, Quebec Production Services Tax Credit, and The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
The Bones of Crows community tour was made possible through the generous support of Rogers, I Love First Peoples, Central Mountain Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
