Fire Song

Filmmaker Adam Garnet Jones's festival award winner features a mix of emotional storylines within a gay coming-of-age drama. Set in an Anishinaabe tribal community in Northern Ontario, Fire Song focuses on the problems faced by Shane (Andrew Martin), a teenager who finds himself torn in multiple directions following the suicide of his sister Destiny. Shane's mother has been unable to cope with the circumstances of Destiny's death and she is too angry and ashamed to attend the funeral. Shane finds himself struggling to support his family, but this cannot continue if he follows his plan to leave the community to attend college. Shane's girlfriend offers amusing distractions, but she can also be tactless. Shane quietly finds himself attracted to a young man aspiring to become a tribal leader, and while their relationship is initially platonic, it slowly develops into something deeper. Shane's desire to break away from the poverty and monotony of the surrounding community become overpowering, but those around him are equally adamant that he not leave. A mature and intelligent drama anchored by Martin's solid performance, this is highly recommended. (P. Hall)