The long-overdue exposure of America's "First Nation" stories, as told by themselves cinematically, received a winning stop-motion-animation treatment via the short subject Tiny, from British Columbia filmmakers Ritchie Hemphill and Ryan Haché.
Their studio took six hours of taped interviews with Hemphill's mother, Colleen, an elder in the Nakwaxda'xw tribe. She spent her childhood, with the nickname "Tiny," in a "float house" off the coast of Vancouver Island. But here there is no solid plot to the reminiscence, no spoon-fed anthropology or many cultural or historical touchpoints—just the storyteller fondly looking back on the simple pleasures of her youth and family living close to nature on the water.
There is a collective blue-whale sighting, the father's amusing antics showing off his diving skills, and Tiny's accident with fishing gear that sends her to a clinic—coincident with a much more tragic car-ferry sinking, which puts things into perspective.
Three years of painstaking animation reportedly went into the production of marvelously expressive stop-motion puppets. Hemphill's voice is the only one heard, and we see a nice blend of the heroine both as her young self and as an elderly woman, sometimes simultaneously. All ages of viewers should be enthralled.
What public library shelves would this title be included in?
Tiny would be a perfect fit for both the juvenile (J) and adult sections of public libraries. While indigenous peoples’ studies would be a natural fit for the film, it should not be pigeonholed into this category alone. Its universal themes of family, nature, and nostalgia allow it to resonate beyond cultural studies. Collections focused on Canadiana would also make a particularly strong partnership, given the film’s setting in British Columbia and its exploration of indigenous culture within the Canadian context. It could also appeal to patrons interested in animation, storytelling, or family-oriented films that offer a window into life by the water.
What are the costs for obtaining Public Performance Rights (PPR)?
The costs for obtaining Public Performance Rights (PPR) for GoodDocs vary based on the type of institutional use. For internal educational use hosted by GoodDocs, the cost is $129 for a 14-day streaming period. This option is ideal for educational institutions wishing to use the film in a controlled, internal setting. For external screenings, where the film is hosted by an institution or nonprofit for a public audience, the cost increases to $599 for a Digital Site License (DSL). This price reflects the broader public access provided through external screenings, whether for educational events, film festivals, or community viewings hosted by nonprofits or institutions.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
While Tiny is an obvious fit for Native/First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Studies, its themes also extend into other areas. The film could be used in courses on child development, psychology, or family relations, particularly in its portrayal of how memories of childhood are recalled in later years. The film’s focus on the elderly protagonist reflecting on her youth could also serve as an instructive resource in senior memory-care studies, offering insight into the ways we preserve and connect with our past.
What type of classroom would this documentary resource be suitable for?
This documentary would be suitable for a wide range of classrooms, from Kindergarten and Elementary levels all the way through higher education. Its universal themes and accessible storytelling make it a great resource for students of all ages, fostering discussion about memory, family, and cultural heritage in an engaging, age-appropriate way.