Edge of the Knife (2018)

In a 19th-century summer, two large families gather for their annual fishing retreat on the far-removed island of Haida Gwaii. Adiits'ii, a charming nobleman, accidentally causes the death ... See full summary »

Directors:

Gwaai Edenshaw (as Gwaii Edenshaw), Helen Haig-Brown

Writers:

Gwaai Edenshaw, Jaalen Edenshaw

Stars:

Curtis Brown, Diane Brown, Greg Brown

10 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Curtis Brown	...	Attendant / gaagiid dancer
Diane Brown	...	Nanaay
Greg Brown	...	Gaas' Xaants'ii
Toddi Lauren Brown	...	Fish cutter
Delores Churchill	...	Naanii 1
Zachary Collison	...	Ts'acklii
Russel Davis	...	Watcher
Sam Derrick-York	...	Tluujaad
Sherri Dick	...	Naanii 3
Leo Gagnon	...	Kwa's father
Merika Gladstone	...	Raven Child
Emma Grinder	...	Eagle Child
Xiila Taayii Guujaaw	...	Sk'ayuu
Sphenia Jones	...	Daasjaadee
Brandon Kallio	...	Adiits'ii's father

Storyline

In a 19th-century summer, two large families gather for their annual fishing retreat on the far-removed island of Haida Gwaii. Adiits'ii, a charming nobleman, accidentally causes the death of his best friend Kwa's son and hastens into the wilderness. Adiits'ii is tormented by what he has done and spirals into insanity, becoming Gaagiixid, a supernatural being crazed by hunger. He unexpectedly survives the winter, and at next year's gathering, the families try to convert Gaagiixid back to Adiitst'ii.

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Plot Keywords:

tiff | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

Canada

Language:

Haida English

Release Date:

25 May 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Edge of the Knife

Filming Locations:

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Niijang Xyalaas, Kingulliit Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first feature film to be made entirely in the Haida language of Pacific-coast Canada. The story was inspired by a traditional Haida legend.

User Reviews

Beautiful love letter to the Haida language and culture

SGaawaay K'uuna (Edge of the Night) is the first feature film entirely in the Haida language. The filmmakers hope to use the film as an educational tool to encourage fluency - there are currently less than 25 fluent Haida speakers in the world. Crafted from a popular story, SGaawaay K'uuna is set in 19th century Haida Gwaii. Adiits'ii is charming and carefree and his recklessness causes a horrific tragedy. Tormented by what he has done, evil spirits are able to enter his body and transform him into Gaagiixid, a devouring supernatural being.

From the depictions of everyday, pre-colonial life to Adiits'ii's horrifying transformation and his family's generosity and forgiveness, this film takes an oral history and makes it into a beautiful, multifaceted film. If you don't get a chance to catch it at TIFF, SGaawaay K'uuna is the closing film for next month's imagineNATIVE film festival. I guarantee this film will be in Canada's Top Ten in January. It's so important. Please watch it.