Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun

Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun

An intimate and thrilling portrait of a young Siksika woman Logan Red Crow and the deep bonds between her father and family in the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory as she prepares for one of the most dangerous horse races in the world... the Indian Relay.
 

About the film 

89 mins ·  Documentary · English · Blackfoot · Canada · 2023 · Produced by Taxam Films Inc

Taking us to the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory to the home of Logan Red Crow, a young Siksika woman whose passion is the Indian Relay. A sport for the truly brave, the Relay’s bareback riders vault from horse to horse in short, exhilarating races. Gentle and reflective, yet unshakeable in her determination, Logan is a champion in the making. Besides her skill and sheer grit, she has a loving family, an elite group of horses, and a home on her ancestral lands. Those are invaluable, but this rider will need more for victory. As we follow her through one competition after another, we see courage put to the test, and also get a picture of the other factors involved in the sport—including blind circumstance.

Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun offers the dual pleasures of serenity and suspense: we get leisurely, lyrical immersion in rural life as well as the thrill of rooting for victory. Logan's bond with her horses is palpable, and we see her tender interactions with them contrasted with gripping races. The animals are beautiful in their mute strength, and the film honours them with loving, graceful images.

The connections explored here are profound and lasting: those between Father and Daughter, animal and human, family and community, ancestral tradition and contemporary life. Graceful, compelling and uplifting, this is an inspirational gem. It offers, through Logan, her horses, her family and her Nation, a portrait of radiant heroism.

Awards 

Winner - Big Sky Award
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2023

Nominated - Leo Awards
Winner TBA: July 2023

Cast 

In Order of Appearance
IISUNAKII ~ LOGAN RED CROW
SIIPIISTOOKIMA ~ ALLISON RED CROW
NIITATSTIPIM ~ RACEY BIG SNAKE
IISTAASAAKAII ~ JAYME BIG SNAKE
IISOMIIKOPII ~ CLARENCE RED CROW
MARK BIG TOBACCO
CODY BIG TOBACCO
ZARIANNA BIG TOBACCO
KAYZEN BIG TOBACCO
ROSE RED CROW
KITANA ARCAND
SHARMAINE WEED
ERIKA MAD PLUME

Crew 

Executive Producers
CAREY NEWMAN
IZZY PULLEN

Producer
MIKE WAVRECAN

Director
BANCHI HANUSE

Writers
BANCHI HANUSE
TANYA MARYNIAK

Editor
TANYA MARYNIAK

Cinematography
BEN GIESBRECHT
LUKE CONNOR

Production Manager
SAM GRAHAM

Location Sound
ARIANA BROPHY
BRENDA SEVILLA

Additional Camera
ANTHONY STENGEL

Camera Assistant
JOSH MANYHEADS
CALVIN STIMSON

Assistant Editor
SOMIT SHARMA

Colourist
JAMES CHASE

Composers
JASON BURNSTICK
NADIA BURNSTICK

Sound Design
DAVID PARFIT

Post Production Audio
SEASIDE SOUND

Production Accountant
DEBBI-JO MATIAS

Production Bookkeeper
MONICA FRIESEN

Special Thanks
RED CROW FAMILY
SIKSIKA NATION
OLD SUN RELAY TEAM
PRETTY YOUNGMAN RELAY TEAM
SIKSIKA DEERFOOT SPORTSPLEX
MASKÊKOSIHK – ENOCH CREE NATION
MEGAN YELLOW FLY
DEXTER BRUISED HEAD
CARA MORIN
JESSICA MAYHEW
NAPI COLLECTIVE
LES MCINTYRE
RANDY TAYLOR

Produced with the support of TELUS:

Vice President in Charge of Production
AMIT NAG

Executive in Charge of Production
CAMERON ZINGER

Managing Production Executive
LEAH CAMENZIND

Senior Production Executive
CHRISTINA WILLINGS

Senior Marketing Manager
KELLY FOX

Filmed in
SIKSIKA NATION
TSUUT’INA, ÎYÂXE NAKODA, BLACKFOOT TERRITORY
ENOCH CREE NATION ᒪᐢᑫᑯᓯᐦᐠ MASKÊKOSIHK
CASPER, WYOMING

Distributor 

To obtain Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun for distribution, screenings, exhibition, educational use or home-use, please contact:

Taxam Films Inc

Media Kit

Screenings 

BENTONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL
3:15pm June 15, 2023 | Skylight Cinemas
Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA
6:45pm on June 21 & 3:30pm on June 23, 2023
Toronto, Ontario

P a s t   S c r e e n i n g s

BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
Feb 25 & 26, 2023
Missoula, Montana, USA

HOT DOCS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
April 29 & May 3, 2023
Toronto, Ontario

DOCLANDS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
May 11, 2023
San Rafael, California, USA

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF)
May 18 & 20, 2023
Seattle, Washington, USA

Check back for upcoming screenings or join the film on Instagram: @BeforetheSunFilm and Facebook.