Documentary

01:04:00

Canada

Hossein Martin Fazeli

Synopsis:

"I Am Gitxsan" follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by encounters with residential school survivors, he writes a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the injustices faced by his people.
The documentary highlights the impact of colonialism on the Gitxsan community, featuring insights from experts like Dr Gabor Maté and showcasing their resilience through protests and legal actions. It culminates with a moving message of hope and determination, emphasizing the power of the Gitxsan people's enduring spirit, the beauties of their culture, and their commitment to future generations.

DIRECTOR'S BIOGRAPHY

Hossein Martin Fazeli is a writer-director-producer of fiction and non-fiction television and films with an experience spanning over two decades. His films have been broadcast around the world, including on CBC, BBC, ARTE, and Canal+, winning 45+ international awards in the process. Throughout the years he has collaborated with organizations such as UNDP, European Commission, and Nonviolence International on a wide range of film and television projects, including national and regional campaigns, exploring issues such as human rights, women's rights, and minority rights. His 2007 production, THE TALE OF TWO NAZANINS, about a teenage girl imprisoned on death row in Iran, was broadcast on major international networks such as the BBC and CNN and is credited with igniting an international campaign that saved her life.