Inendi Explained

Genre:Documentary
Director:Sarain Fox
Starring:Mary Bell
Country:Canada
Language:English
Producer:Tara Barnes
Sarain Fox
Jennifer Podemski
Editor:Navin Harrilal
Cinematography:Lucas K. Labrecque
Runtime:44 minutes
Company:Land Back Studios
Network:CBC Gem

Inendi is a Canadian television documentary film, directed by Sarain Fox and released in 2020.[1] Created in part as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and the risk that the stories and experiences of Indigenous community elders could be lost if not documented, the film documents Fox interviewing her elderly aunt, Mary Bell, about her experiences as an Indian residential school survivor.[2]

The film's title, "Inendi", means "she is absent" in the Anishinaabemowin language.[3] The film was originally Bell's idea;[4] before and during the making of the film, Fox and the film's crew took careful precautions to ensure that their attempt to preserve Indigenous history did not accidentally expose the community to COVID-19.[5]

The film premiered in December 2020 on CBC Gem, as part of the Short Docs series.[3]

Fox received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Host or Interviewer in a News or Information Program or Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Ben Cousins, "'They had no pity': New documentary chronicles traumatizing life at residential schools". CTV News, March 4, 2021.
  2. Chris Jancelewicz, "Sarain Fox talks short doc ‘Inendi,’ COVID-19 in Indigenous communities and listening to elders". Global News, December 30, 2020.
  3. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sarain-fox-batchawana-first-nation-1.5842105 "New film tells captivating story of northern Ontario residential school survival"
  4. Delphine Jung, "Inendi : « La vérité brutale » des pensionnats autochtones". Ici Radio-Canada, February 15, 2021.
  5. [Dennis Ward (journalist)|Dennis Ward]
  6. Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.