To Cree astronomer Wilfred Buck, the celestial bodies possess an immense significance that extends outside the realm of science. Hailing from an Native community whose stories have been systematically erased by mainstream accounts, he turns to these clustered dots of light as both record of the past and spiritual manifestation. Reflecting Buck's holistic approach to stargazing, Lisa Jackson's mixed-genre film utilizes a variety of diverse cinematic techniques, all blended into a breathtaking portrait of a formidable tribal leader.
Someone constantly on the go, Buck is often seen behind the wheel, traveling from one engagement to another. Presenting at academic conferences and workshops, and leading lectures and discussions for young students, he not only demystifies the cosmos but also builds enduring relationships between different age groups. This sense of togetherness is especially moving considering Buck's own heartbreaking personal background. He was separated from his siblings in his youth, after they were forcibly removed from their family by the state. His home life was plagued by a cycle of addiction, financial hardship and despair.
The film depicts these chapters from his youth through stylised, suggestive dramatizations shot on sumptuous 16mm footage. Narrated by Buck's voiceover, these are scenes imbued with longing and melancholy; the shifts between history and now are seamlessly done, adding a hint of beauty to an extraordinary life story. His tireless efforts to safeguard Indigenous tradition and wisdom have laid important community foundations that were once forbidden. Shifting between the heavens and the ground, from the individual to the collective, Jackson's sweeping film conjures a world of experiences with striking style and insights.
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
