Keep Calm and Decolonize

Jesse Wente took Buffy's words as “marching orders from the iconic activist and artist” and curated this series of powerful short films for CBC Arts.

A young woman, guided by Spider-Woman, must overcome colonial history and education to find herself. Michif director and animator Amanda Strong combines puppets and stop-motion in this arrestingly beautiful short.

The Nishiyuu walkers made the trek from Whapmagoostui in Quebec to Ottawa, a 1,600-kilometre journey whose roots date back millennia. At the heart of legendary director Alanis Obomsawin’s latest short documentary, her 51st film in 50 years of filmmaking, is the idea of walking as activism, as well as a symbol of decolonization and an embrace of the traditional.

A futuristic noodle shop in small-town Saskatchewan has become the world’s first purveyor of the latest in culinary fashion: psychedelic polydimensional comfort food. In this lovingly bizarre short, director and animator Howie Shia examines the small, largely unnoticeable ways in which colonization seeps into our lives, and asks, what is the responsibility of those who dine at a colonial supper table? Dig in.

The colour pink has been ascribed many meanings, from a reflection of the feminine to a symbol of reclaimed humanity by LGBTQ2S communities. In his latest work, avant-garde filmmaker John Greyson explores the colonial implications of the colour pink, from its association with activist movements to its colouring of the water in Grassy Narrows due to mercury poisoning. Pink this.

What's in a name? Filmmaker Yung Chang explores the meaning and origins of both of his names: the one given to him in Oshawa when he was born and the Chinese name that drew him back to his homeland. Using home movies, Chang has crafted a personal and poignant portrait of colonial influence on identity.