Where the Spirit Lives (1990) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 1990, Where the Spirit Lives is a drame film directed by Bruce Pittman, running about 96 minutes. “A moving tribute to a young girl's courage and indomitable spirit...” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. In 1937, a young First Nations (Canadian native) girl named Ashtecome is kidnapped along with several other children from a village as part of a deliberate Canadian policy to force First Nations children to abandon their culture in order to be assimilated into white Canadian/British society. She is taken to a boarding school where she is forced to adopt Western Euro-centric ways and learn English, often under brutal treatment. Only one sympathetic white teacher who is more and more repelled by this bigotry offers her any help from among the staff. That, with her force of will, Ashtecome (forced to take the name Amelia) is determined to hold on to her identity and that of her siblings, who were also abducted.

Who’s in it. Where the Spirit Lives stars Michelle St. John as Komi / Amelia, Kim Bruisedhead Fox as Anataki, Marianne Jones as Komi's Mother and Gus Chief Moon as Ka - moos - ee, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Where the Spirit Lives has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Where the Spirit Lives page.

If you liked it. Fans of Where the Spirit Lives tend to enjoy Les Évadés, The Godfather, La Liste de Schindler and Le Parrain, 2e partie.