
Traditional Northwestern Indigenous spiritual images combined with cutting-edge computer animation in this surreal short film about the power of tradition. Three urban Indigenous teens are whisked away to an imaginary land by a magical raven, and there they encounter a totem pole. The totem pole's characters—a raven, a frog and a bear—come to life, becoming their teachers, guides and friends. Features a special interview with J. Bradley Hunt, the celebrated Heiltsuk artist on whose work the characters in Totem Talk are based.
Directed by Annie Frazier Henry, Totem Talk leans on a strong ensemble — Morgan Rose, David Thomas, Michael Sherwood — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 1997.
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A paralysingly beautiful documentary with a global vision—an odyssey through landscape and time—that attempts to capture the essence of life.
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