ImagineNATIVE: Samson & Delilah, a gem from the Australian desert

ImagineNATIVE audiences were treated to a double dose of beautiful storytelling from Australian directors Warwick Thornton and Beck Cole this weekend. A special presentation of Thornton's 2009, Camra d'Or-winning Samson& Delilah Friday night, followed on Saturday by Coles documentary Making Samson& Delilah plus an extended Q&A with both filmmakers left audiences glowing.

Though Samson & Delilah is a harsh and unyielding film, about two aboriginal youth from a small community who wind up homeless and helpless in the city, the experience audiences had with it this weekend was entirely uplifting. Even though the movie has its tragic elements and challenging subject matterit still leaves the viewers with a feeling of experiencing something real and truly satisfying. There was also a feeling of pride, or perhaps just a general positivity in the crowd, stemming from the knowledge that the film has been so successful in telling an indigenous story and that these stories are being told.

A lot of the credit goes to Thornton and Cole who, like their films, are unrelenting in their pursuit of genuine storytelling. Although both filmmakers were quick to share the success, citing all the people and organizations in Australia who have been incredibly supportive of their work. After their talks and a quick sit-down with the filmmakers, however, it's clear that their integrity steers the ship and keeps them on course.

Thornton talked about the importance of "respecting your audience" and telling stories that aren't foregone conclusions, but that engage the viewer and show him something hes never seen be it content or form (or, in this case, both).

I could write an essay on Thornton's masterful use of sound, but it's suffice to say that Samson & Delilah uses all its assets to the fullest, creating a film that is everything cinema can and should be: incredible storytelling.

Beck Cole's documentation of how Samson & Delilah was made is really a treat (especially for filmmakers like myself). It gives viewers a peek into the lives of the main actors, Rowan McNamara and Marissa Gibson, whose brilliant (and first-time) performances drive the film. This is an important documentary because it shows a style of filmmaking that is engaged in its community (another major theme of ImagineNATIVE), and cares for the people involved. After the screening, Cole updated the audience on how each of the actors are doing and mentioned that they are regularly in touch since they all live in the same city.

Tyler Hagan is a Mtis filmmaker from Vancouver who recently graduated with a BFA in film from Simon Fraser University. His work has been shown at festivals locally and internationally. Follow his ImagineNATIVE Festival coverage on CBCNews.ca/arts, plus updates via Twitter:@ShakeyFilms_TH

Something being repeated during ImagineNATIVE is the importance of creativity and voice as well as the celebration of indigenous artists, many of who come from backgrounds of cultural oppression. In Making Samson & Delilah we get to know the two young actors and see how they cope or don't with their newfound creative outlets and the attention it inevitably brings. An incredible moment comes when we see McNamara and Gibson on the red carpet at Cannes, and watch these two introverted and shy teenagers from the Australian desert celebrated on the world stage. It's tough to not get emotional at that point.

There's really not much else I can say other than: go see the films. Buy a DVD, rent them, rush to the ImagineNATIVE office and plead for a copy whatever you have to do, just do it.

I'll leave you with some reading on the brilliantMitjili Napanangka Gibson, who plays Nana andwhose paintingsare featured in Samson & Delilah.

I'll have another story on Buffy Sainte-Marie soon, so be sure to check back!