‘Little Bird’ Star Darla Contois and ‘The Order’s’ Morgan Holmstrom Join Indigenous Canadian Horror Feature ‘Ancestral Beasts’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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Tim Riedel’s forthcoming psychological horror movie, titled “Ancestral Beasts,” is gearing up for its chilling premiere at this year’s Frontières event during the Cannes Film Market, and has revealed an impressive roster of actors, with a main character role still undecided.

In this movie, the main cast includes Morgan Holmstrom, who is recognized for his roles in “The Order” and “Day of the Dead”, along with Darla Contois, who recently won a Canadian Screen Award for best actress in “Little Bird”. Additionally, Asivak Koostachin, known from “Portraits from a Fire”, will also be part of the cast. The producers are planning to give a significant male role to a well-known actor aged 55 or older, who is not Indigenous.

Under the guidance of Métis filmmaker Tim Riedel and supported by Indigenous production company Michif Koonteur, along with partners Kistikan Pictures and Buffalo Gals Pictures, this Canadian movie promises a unique, intensely moving, and genre-bending journey that delves into themes of trauma, healing, and ancestral reconciliation.

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Tim Riedel, a Métis screenwriter-director, and Indigenous production company Michif Koonteur, in partnership with Kistikan Pictures and Buffalo Gals Pictures, are bringing to life a Canadian film that offers an intimate, emotionally powerful, and genre-blending exploration of trauma, healing, and ancestral accounting.

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Tim Riedel, a Métis writer-director, has teamed up with Indigenous production company Michif Koonteur, alongside Kistikan Pictures and Buffalo Gals Pictures, to produce a Canadian film that offers a deeply personal, intense, genre-bending experience centered around trauma, healing, and ancestral understanding.

Nestled in the eerie backdrop of rural Canada, the tale “Ancestral Beasts” delves into a chilling concept: what if a severe mental health issue materialized as a tangible entity, a beast lurking in the darkness? The narrative revolves around a woman striving to restore her mental wellbeing, attempting to break free from a poisonous, codependent bond with her sister and seeking solace in her family’s ancestral home. However, her pursuit of tranquility is disrupted when an ominous force starts to materialize, compelling her to face inherited traumas and battle for her soul—and the lives of those dear to her.

At present, “Ancestral Beasts” is nearing completion in its development phase and anticipates securing funding by summer 2025. A production scheduled for fall follows. Several Canadian distributors have shown early interest, while discussions regarding international distribution are underway and likely to pick up momentum during Cannes.

Riedel, who has a background in documentary filmmaking, deeply incorporates his personal life into this project. He described “Ancestral Beasts” as an original tale that stems from his own story as the son of a Red River Métis woman who was taken away from her family during the 60s Scoop era in Canada to be raised in abusive foster care. Later in life, she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder due to the emotional distress she experienced. He shared this insight with EbMaster.

To guarantee an accurate and considerate representation, Riedel created the script in collaboration with Elders, Knowledge Holders, cultural consultants, and Indigenous psychologists. His aim isn’t merely to frighten viewers, but rather to stir compassion and lessen the shame associated with mental illness. “This story is a sympathetic parable and marks a significant milestone in my personal healing process,” Riedel expressed.

He recollected his life story, stemming from being an innocent child with a mother struggling with a grave mental health issue due to inherited emotional pain. His world was molded by residing in a household where affection and protection were overwhelming one moment, and the next instant, it would plunge into turmoil. Yet, his mother was as much a victim of her untreated trauma as my siblings and I were. This mental health disorder functioned like a menacing creature, hiding in the dark corners, poised to strike us all.

He clarified, “It doesn’t seem like a documentary to me; rather, it feels more like a horror movie. I’ve decided on this genre because I want my viewers to experience what it felt like for me as a child living in that house… Horror films provide the means for me to convey the intricate and illogical thoughts lurking within.

The work titled ‘Ancestral Beasts’ symbolizes a daring advancement in the realm of Native American folklore narratives. Instead of merely using terror to instill fear, it employs horror as a means for emotional release, introspection, and recovery.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that I’ll be attending the Frontières Platform program, a prestigious event presented by Canada’s Fantasia Festival and Cannes Marché du Film, happening on May 17th and 18th. This promises to be an unforgettable journey into the world of cinema!

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2025-04-09 12:47