Towards the beginning of the festival, we got a great opportunity to sit down with director and writer Danis Goulet to chat about her short film, Wakening, which kicked off the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on opening night, playing just before The Fifth Estate.
Wakening brings aboriginal Cree culture to a post-apocalyptic plot, starring Sarah Podemski as Mukwa, a lone wanderer. The film brings together ancient stories within a modern context, creating this truly amazing, gritty story. Wakening is part of the Stage to Screen project, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres. To read more about Wakening and our thoughts about the short, please click HERE.
Danis Goulet is a Cree/Métis filmmaker born in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. She now resides in Toronto, where she spends her being involved in the arts. Her 2010 short Wapawekka, premiered at TIFF and then went on to screen at Sundance and the Berlin International Film Festival. Her last project, 2012 short film Barefoot, premiered at TIFF and then was selected for Canada: Not Short on Talent Showcase at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. She has four shorts under her directorial belt, all of which she wrote as well. Away from her direct involvement within film, Goulet also designs and develops programming and initiative within the Aboriginal arts sector at the Ontario Arts Council, among an array of other projects throughout her career.
Enjoy the interview!
