PERSPECTIVES FILM SERIES PRESENTS:
SMOKE SIGNALS (1998)
Contemporary Calgary collaborates with Pink Flamingo to launch a new film series curated by Alia Aluma, that centres QTBIPOC films, diverse voices, global titles and narratives that confront prejudices. Join us November 12 at 7:00pm for the third screening of our ten part series.
This month’s Perspective focuses on family and identity; road films and self-discovery. These stories explore the realities of learning who you are while also understanding how you connect to your cultural identity, heritage, and family during the younger years of life. What does it mean to be Indigenous? What are the expected qualities of Iranian women? How does family impact the identity we present the world or better yet, the identity we hide.
This is an in-person program. Masks are mandatory, and physical distancing will be maintained in seating arrangements. Contemporary Calgary requires visitors ages 12 and older to provide proof of vaccination, documentation of a medical exemption, or a negative PCR or rapid test within the last 72 hours in order to enter the gallery.
November 12, 2021
Doors: 7:00 pm
Screening: 7:30 pm
Runtime: 1h 28m
Drink & Snack Bar open
from 7-9:30 pm
Free for members, free with $10 admission to Contemporary Calgary.
Smoke Signals (1998): Synopsis
Victor (Adam Beach) has grown up believing his father, Arnold (Gary Farmer) to be a violent alcoholic who abandoned his family. On the other hand, Victor’s good friend Thomas (Evan Adams) considers Arnold to be a hero after saving him from a fire when he was a child. This tension, among many, leads to plenty of interesting conversations on the reservation between Thomas and Victor, and to a banter-filled road trip to Pheonix, Arizona to collect Arnold’s ashes after he passes. This award-winning road film, and entirely Indigenous production, is recognized for its excellent delivery of humour, seriousness, and connection.
Rating:PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language:English
Producer: Scott Rosenfelt,Larry Estes
Runtime: 1h 28m
Production Co: Miramax
RECOMMENDED FILMS BASED ON SMOKE SIGNALS (2018)
THE INCREDIBLE 25TH YEAR OF MITZI BEARCLAW (2019)
SHELLY NIRO Stream on Prime Video
CIRCUMSTANCE (2011)
MARYAM KESHAVARZ
Rent/Buy on Prime Video ($3.99,$7.99), VUDU ($3.99,$5.99), Apple TV ($4.99, $9.99)
About the Curator: Alia Aluma (she/her)
An advocate for the creative industries and global contributor to arts and culture communities, Alia Aluma has worked and studied in four different continents and conducts her research and workplace tasks in three different languages. Her multilateral passions link grand interests such as architecture, film, writing, and entertainment, leading to experiences within the fields of fashion, photography, technical and culture teaching, writing and publishing, and fine arts and curation. While her current focus is on capital culture and art direction, she is also a practising visual artist and writer who has had works on display in Rome, Canada, and England. Her work is deeply rooted in empathetic work ethic and diversity, proven by her studies in multilingualism and world cultures.
Before graduating with degrees in Art History, Communications, and World Literature & Culture, Aluma began working as a ghostwriter while studying abroad in Hong Kong. In this role, she began writing novels on behalf of international clients, specializing in science fiction and business literature. Upon returning to Canada, Aluma stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief and teacher, mentoring an entire journalism department from the ground up with Alberta’s largest hip hop foundation. Eventually, Aluma’s written history would lead to the creation of a digital course with skillshare foundation UPWEGO.ai. Currently, Aluma is working on publishing her Masters research in decentralized art and currencies (CryptoArt).
Aluma’s research has placed her within new roles in the creative industry, including her current position as Creative Arts & Technology Director with Greta Bar YYC/YEG/YVR, where she manages a CryptoArt Creative Foundation with the intention of reviving Calgary’s art scene. After speaking at multiple international conferences, she has also engaged with a team of academics from various institutions and many notable crypto-artists, leading to a highly anticipated textbook on the matter (publishing date TBD).
Presented in Partnership By
