Shane Belcourt
Encyclopedia
Shane Anthony Belcourt is a Métis
writer, director, and cinematographer living and working in Canada
. He is best known for his feature film Tkaronto
, which depicts the life of urban Métis and First Nations people.
The film was reviewed by Jason Anderson at Eye Weekly
, who wrote "The quality of writer-director Shane Belcourt's feature debut – named after our city's original Mohawk name – is all the more remarkable when you consider that it was made in six months on a measly budget of $20,000. Based on Belcourt's experience as the son of a Métis father, the movie portrays the crises of Jolene and Ray (Duane Murray), two thirtysomethings who can't figure out a way to square up their urban lifestyles and material ambitions with what an elder (played by Lorne Cardinal
) calls “blood memory.” But for all of Tkarontos heavy themes, the film has a sense of lightness that makes it one of the year's most appealing local indie features."
and Judith Pierce-Martin (née Streatch). A Métis filmmaker with a deep respect for the traditions and knowledge of Aboriginal people, the majority of his work explores and celebrates Aboriginal issues and culture. His debut feature film, Tkaronto, was chosen as the Closing Night film at the 2007 ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Festival.
He is the son of Métis leader Tony Belcourt
and brother of graphic designer Suzanne Belcourt and painter Christi Belcourt
.
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
writer, director, and cinematographer living and working in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is best known for his feature film Tkaronto
Tkaronto
Tkaronto is a Canadian drama film, which premiered in 2007 at the ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Festival in Toronto. Directed by Shane Belcourt, the film went into commercial release in the summer of 2008....
, which depicts the life of urban Métis and First Nations people.
The film was reviewed by Jason Anderson at Eye Weekly
Eye Weekly
Eye Weekly was a free weekly newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was owned by Torstar, the parent company of the Toronto Star, and was published by their Star Media Group until its final issue on May 5, 2011. The following week, Torstar launched a successor publication, The Grid.-...
, who wrote "The quality of writer-director Shane Belcourt's feature debut – named after our city's original Mohawk name – is all the more remarkable when you consider that it was made in six months on a measly budget of $20,000. Based on Belcourt's experience as the son of a Métis father, the movie portrays the crises of Jolene and Ray (Duane Murray), two thirtysomethings who can't figure out a way to square up their urban lifestyles and material ambitions with what an elder (played by Lorne Cardinal
Lorne Cardinal
Lorne Cardinal is a stage, television and film actor, best known for portraying character Davis Quinton on the Canadian television series Corner Gas.-Personal life:...
) calls “blood memory.” But for all of Tkarontos heavy themes, the film has a sense of lightness that makes it one of the year's most appealing local indie features."
Biography
Belcourt was born in Ottawa, Ontario on December 30, 1972 to parents Tony BelcourtTony Belcourt
Tony Belcourt is a Métis Rights leader and activist in Canada. He is best known for his work as the founding President of the Métis Nation of Ontario in 1993 and his leaderhship through the Powley Case in 2003...
and Judith Pierce-Martin (née Streatch). A Métis filmmaker with a deep respect for the traditions and knowledge of Aboriginal people, the majority of his work explores and celebrates Aboriginal issues and culture. His debut feature film, Tkaronto, was chosen as the Closing Night film at the 2007 ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Festival.
He is the son of Métis leader Tony Belcourt
Tony Belcourt
Tony Belcourt is a Métis Rights leader and activist in Canada. He is best known for his work as the founding President of the Métis Nation of Ontario in 1993 and his leaderhship through the Powley Case in 2003...
and brother of graphic designer Suzanne Belcourt and painter Christi Belcourt
Christi Belcourt
Christi Marlene Belcourt is a Métis visual artist and author living and working in Canada. She is best known for her acrylic paintings which depict floral patterns inspired by Métis and First Nations historical beadwork art...
.