K.C. Collins Archives - Sean Kelly On Movies

Two indigenous individuals find love as apocalyptic events rage outside a Nothern Ontario bar in Stellar. She (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers) and He (Braeden Clarke) enter a bar shortly before various natural disasters happen outside in their Northern Ontario town. Accompanied by the lone Bartender (Rossif Sutherland) and various eclectic visitors, She and He develop a connection over the course of the storm. Stellar is a fantastical romance from Anishinaabe writer/director Darlene Naponse, based on her short story of the same name. The film's very apocalyptic story is based on Indigenous knowledge and a way of life, with the film's events acting as a metaphor for the disruption caused by colonization. Most of the focus is on the unnamed protagonists of She and He, though there are several individuals who find themselves in this bar, including notable cameos by Cree actor Tina Keeper and Cree actor and writer Billy Merasty. It isn't hard to spot the metaphors within Stellar, as it becomes obvious that the main protagonist of She, played by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blood Quantum, Night Riders), is a manifestation of Mother Earth. Stellar features little spoken dialogue and focuses more on shots of nature and surreal visuals within the bar, most memorably a glowing jukebox dance sequence. Altogether, Stellar is a very fantastical apocalyptic romance.

Stellar – TIFF 2022