“O for a Thousand Tongues” is an anti-colonial thriller set in 19th-century Haida Gwaii.
Samuel Cooper (Michael Antonakos - Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey) is an idealistic young missionary come to spread the gospel in Haida Gwaii (an archipelago in northwestern Canada known at the time by its colonial name, the Queen Charlotte Islands). Yaahl-Ts’uu-Ḵuuyas, a Haida woman (Grace Dove - The Revenant, How It Ends, Monkey Beach) must evaluate Cooper's spiritual promises when her uncle (Duane Howard - The Revenant, Outlander) falls ill and her brother (John Cook) becomes suspicious of Cooper's intentions.
Co-written by settler director Nathanael Vass and Haida artist Jaibrend Johnson-Baker, ”O for a Thousand Tongues” is a supernatural drama/thriller that challenges the impetus behind colonial violence. An award-winning short film, it played at Cannes Short Film Corner, LA Skins Fest, Santa Fe International Film Festival, and others.
Length: 15 min
Directed by Nathanael Vass
Written by Nathanael Vass & Jaibrend Johnson-Baker
Produced by Trembling Void Studios & Pangman Moving Pictures
Production Budget: $50,000 CAD