Rhymes for Young Ghouls
Red Crow Mi'gMaq reservation, 1976: By government decree, every Indian child under the age of 16 must attend residential school. In the kingdom of the Crow, that means imprisonment at St. Dymphna's, where students are under the mercy of "Popper," the sadistic agent who runs the school.
At 15, Aila is the weed princess of Red Crow. Hustling with her uncle Burner, she sells enough dope to pay Popper her "truancy tax", keeping her out of St.Ds. But when Aila's drug money is stolen and her father Joseph returns from prison, the precarious balance of Aila's world is destroyed. Her only options are to run or fight... and Mi'gMaq don't run.
Winner: Best Canadian First Feature, Vancouver International Film Festival
"A blood- and booze-soaked revenge drama marking the impressive debut of filmmaker Jeff Barnaby (with)Jacobs, a remarkably self-possessed actress whose fearless performance brings to mind a younger Ellen Page." - The Los Angeles Times
"Jeff Barnaby's debut feature is impressive... and boasts a terrific performance by Devery Jacobs in the central role. Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a truly offbeat and original drama." - The Hollywood Reporter
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This film made waves in Canada when it first came out! An unusual dark comedy (more dark than comedy, but the comedy is there) set in Canada's controversial residential school past. This is a clever and fresh look at a difficult subject.