Cinema Scholars takes a look at the dystopian/sci-fi drama Night Raiders, directed by Danis Goulet and executive produced by Taika Waititi. The film opens in Theaters, on Digital and On Demand on November 12, 2021 courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Introduction
Like many filmmakers achieving accolades and box office success, award-winning writer/director Taika Waititi’s name can be found in the executive producer credits of several new projects. While not uncommon for heavy hitters to lend their Midas touch to smaller projects they believe in, some of Waititi’s latest efforts have special meaning.
When Waititi accepted his Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for JoJo Rabbit at the 2020 Oscars, the Māori filmmaker dedicated it to all the indigenous artists trying to get their projects made. With a commitment to his word not often found in Hollywood, Waititi has made good by using his success to champion the work of indigenous creators.
Waititi is already known for featuring indigenous actors from his native New Zealand in his films. From Hunt For The Wilderpeople’s Māori child lead actor Julian Dennison to fellow Māori Rachel House, who Waititi cast in both Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok, he has worked with native crew and talent since long before his Oscar glory.
Recently, Waititi broadened the scope of his support for indigenous filmmakers by including Native American artists. The Kiwi teamed up with Seminole/Muscogee director Sterlin Harjo for the Hulu series Reservation Dogs. Set in Harjo’s home state of Oklahoma, the show features a predominantly Native American cast and crew.
Also, there is the upcoming Frybread Face And Me, a coming-of-age story about Navajo cousins in Arizona. The film is directed by Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo Billy Luther, and is also executive produced by the New Zealander.
On November 12, Waititi’s EP credit graces yet another title. This time in the burgeoning Indigenous Movies sub-genre. The dystopian drama Night Raiders is the latest effort from Cree and Metis writer/director Danis Goulet.
Synopsis
Night Raiders begins as a mother and her young daughter comb a desolate forest for food. As the duo proceeds with what appears to be a routine mission, Niska’s (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers) daughter, Waseese (Brooklyn Letexier-Hart), makes one fateful misstep, right into an animal trap.
Though she is easily freed from the jaws of the contraption, her injuries are grave. As Niska tends to her daughter’s wounds back at their shelter, a buzzing drone appears in the sky. This prompts the frantic mother to gather her ailing child (and little else) to escape into the night. She is also faced with the painful decision to return to her war-torn city to get medicine for her daughter’s infected wound. Soon, the reason for the pairs’ self-imposed exile is revealed.
A devastating civil war has left the city in ruins. Children are ordered to attend the federal academy for their “protection.” Though conflicted, many parents consider the academy an opportunity for a better future for their beloved. For natives, people still living off the land out in the bush, the fight to keep their offspring is further spurred by an elder’s vision of a stranger from the north. He comes to lead their children to a refuge far away.
Soon, the paths of Niska and the tribe intersect with each other. The result of which is an overlapping story of cultural heritage and maternal determination, which beautifully unfolds amid bleak circumstances.
Analysis
Though tribal elements eventually play a large role in the narrative of Night Raiders, Goulet establishes the film’s dystopian/sci-fi credibility straight away. Images of a burned-out cityscape shot in the obligatory washed-out post-apocalyptic palate set the dreary tone. Military drones police and feed survivors who live a ramshackle existence within the decaying military state.
Though much of the high-concept plot is left up to the imagination of the audience, Goulet incorporates key visual effects, like the menacing drones, or subtle futuristic tech. This is to keep the sci-fi elements firmly on point.
The doom and gloom premise is set, and the introduction of the Native storyline in the second act is when the various themes of Night Raiders begin to click. There is a contrast between the bombed-out metropolis and sci-fi elements versus the nobility of the forest-dwellers, and their undulating drum beats and battle cries. This further illustrates the high-concept narrative.
Akin to the simple yet evocative storylines, Goulet’s style features lingering shots where the real action happens in the background or just off-camera. This storytelling style, both literally and visually, helps further the mysterious atmosphere of the film. This while providing compelling imagery.
Performances
In the leading role as Niska, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers easily carries the challenging film. Her soft yet determined portrayal of a tormented parent is painfully convincing with a refreshing lack of melodrama. Just when Tailfeathers’ stoic demeanor seems infallible, the talented performer shows glimpses of the vulnerability her character must hide to survive.
As Waseese, Brooklyn Letexier-Hart embodies the fragile innocence at the heart of Night Raiders. The young actress captures Waseese’s resilient nature while also maintaining a naïveté that helps offset her abysmal predicament.
In a smaller pivotal role as an ally of Niska’s, Amanda Plummer offers a heartbreaking turn as a lonely survivor of the war. Though brief, her gut-wrenching turn helps drive home the underlying dread of the story. Other supporting performances by an ensemble of indigenous actors (including a trio of strong female characters/tribe leaders led by actress Gail Maurice) round out the large but essential cast.
Further Discussion
Among the bleak narrative concepts of Night Raiders, it’s almost impossible not to draw comparisons between the fictional plot and accounts of real-life subjugation indigenous people suffered due to Westward expansion.
Starting in the 1700s and continuing into the early 21st century, Indian Boarding Schools throughout North America sought to assimilate young Natives into Euro-American culture by removing them from their parents’ care and eliminating hallmarks of their respective heritage from their lives.
Additionally, the present-day themes of forced displacement in Night Raiders echo the forced migrations of past generations. Thankfully, Goulet is careful not to belabor the oppression commentary while still faithfully honoring this undeniable context of the indigenous experience.
Conclusion
Well-executed dystopian drama in a beautifully bleak frame sets the stage for a surprisingly satisfying morality tale in Night Raiders. Executive producer Taika Waititi once again walks the walk to champion a compelling film that scratches the sci-fi itch while providing important social and historical discussion.
Samuel Goldwyn Films is releasing Night Raiders in Theaters, on Digital and On Demand on November 12, 2021.
