Maïna (2013) User Reviews

What a surprise!

[jrbleau · 8/10 · 22 March 2014]

This movie about pre-European Innu and Inuit has adventure, fighting and romance, and the cinematography is simply amazing. I had never even heard of it before today and saw it because the movie I did go to see was sold out.

Call it serendipity.

The acting is good; it's a tearjerker at points, feels good and ends with a couple of new beginnings, though not for sequel purposes.

I was riveted. I took a look at the audience and they were in rapt attention.

Highly recommended.

A surprise indeed !

[raypaquin · 8/10 · 22 October 2014]

The action takes place in Northern Québec. The Innu (Indians of the north shore of the Bay of St. Lawrence) are in constant competition against the Inuit (Eskimos of the far north) and against a harsh nature, before the arrival of the first Europeans. The landscapes are absolutely breathtaking and the splendid photography does them justice. I won't reveal the nature of the action, which is touching and yet suspenseful but I will say that the author of the original novel must have been quite familiar with the mores and habits of both groups. Kudos to the director. The actors, most of whom are amateurs, are also quite competent. I have rarely been so captivated by a film, an absolutely riveting 'must-see'. You won't regret watching it and you will at least understand why the first Frenchmen to come here, Jacques Cartier in 1534 and Samuel De Champlain in 1608, decided to stay instead of going further down south.

Cool film..

[LaxFan94 · 7/10 · 11 March 2016]

I need to see this film from start to finish however I did catch the latter half of it. From what I saw, it was a good film with an all-star Native cast. However, I don't think the Inuit and Innu were enemies in real life. The producers and directors had to pit 2 groups against each other so they probably decided to have both Nations be "enemies". But anyways... the use of the Innu and Inuktitut dialogue was well done by everyone in the film. Eric Schweig was one of the main leading actors who is Inuit in real life AND he got to portray an Inuit in the film! The one who played Maina (Roseanne Supernault) is Cree and Metis but played her role well as did all the other actors/actresses. I can't wait to check out the first half of this one because I think the beginning will be cool as was the latter half. I give this one a 7 out of 10.

Full immersion in a culture about which we knew so little. Amazing!

[snelgrovedave · 9/10 · 22 November 2015]

Am still stunned by the achievement this film represents. Little dialogue, but the actors make clear the meaning of whatever they are involved in and the silence becomes part of the experience of the North. The environment, moving from below the tree line to Arctic-like conditions, is all-enveloping. Amazing scenery. Remarkable journey, for anyone who undertook moving between the two very different terrains. The clothing worn, in relation to the land and the game available, makes real sense of what it was/is like to live in full harmony with where you are. Differences between the two social systems, the cultural richness of each, was made clear without a lot of description. The narrative, the personal story, was moving and stays with me. I want to say "More, more!" to such film-making that allows us to appreciate the First Nations cultures that have been so denigrated, misunderstood, undermined by the arrival of Europeans.

THE Native movie I've been looking for

[perfect_peony · 10/10 · 18 October 2017]

The most engrossing, intelligent movie I've seen in several years, not to mention gorgeously filmed. I only hope I can catch it on the big screen. Nothing is romanticized. It's THE Native movie I've been looking for, an authentic portrayal of how life must have been before the arrival of Europeans, not just the living conditions, but the world view and social relations as well. The love story is also one of the most beautiful yet believable I have ever seen on screen.

An epic tale of universal human struggle

[pdalsin-963-383578 · 9/10 · 13 January 2017]

This was a beautifully filmed and epic cinematic treat. What a commitment to the story of human loyalty to family and land. Check it out. Koodos to the entire 'family' who were responsible for this wonderful film. It is truly universal. The focus of this film is the daughter of the Chief and her stepbrother. Her real mother became shaman and healer - who left the tribe because her husband (the chief) took another woman. He took another woman as a nursemaid for his daughter because his wife (now shaman) could not produce enough milk to sustain his girl child. It is a tale of dreams, which includes animal protectors and future events. It involves the dream and spiritual realm in a lovely background of this real world within its stark and inspiring creation. It is an acceptance of life and death and the struggles in between.

found it very easy to get deep with this film

[mcbrider-57465 · 8/10 · 17 March 2017]

Beautiful pre contact story. I'd love to know more about the origins of the storyline, perhaps in mythology?, but it's a wonderful examination of cultures, identities, trust, relationships. Universal themes explored 'authentically' through the Innu and Inuit people of Labrador and Arctic Canada. The creators showed intense loyalty to detail. People wear hats when it's cold. Lovely dialogue between the Inuit friend that guided Maina's adaptation to the Arctic and herself. Beautiful camera-work.