EIFF Review: Kiviaq vs. Canada

Posted by: Scott Hayes  •  September 30, 2006 @ 11:59am

Filed under: Reviews

Kiviaq as a person is a fascinating study. Born in the Arctic, given a Christian name, transplanted to Edmonton, played football with the Eskimos (irony!), got on City Council, became a lawyer... it goes on and on like this. Now he is fighting cancer and Canada regarding the civil rights of the Inuit people. Apparently the government makes no distinction between Inuit and Indian even though there are huge differences.

This is a great documentary, albeit all too brief. For 48 minutes' worth of tape we get a quick look at his life, his struggles, his successes, and what's going on with him currently. For me to have been satisfied, this should have been at least two hours long with a full hour devoted to a Michael Moore-ish examination of the federal government's brushing off of Kiviaq's lawsuit.

Kiviaq vs. Canada is playing at the Garneau Theatre, 8712 109 Street, on September 30th at 4:00pm. For more information visit www.edmontonfilmfest.com.