The Grizzlies

About The Grizzlies

The Grizzlies is a 2018 drama film that is based on a true story. Directed by Miranda de Pencier, the film follows a group of Inuit students from Kugluktuk, a small Arctic town in Nunavut, Canada, as they form a lacrosse team. The film tackles themes of youth empowerment and the transformative power of sports in overcoming adversity. It highlights the efforts of the students and their teacher to bring positive change to their community.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music, Soundtrack

About

The Grizzlies tells the inspiring story of a group of indigenous Inuit high school students from Kugluktuk, a small town in the Canadian Arctic. The community faces many challenges including high suicide rates among the young people due to poverty, substance abuse, and a lack of opportunities.

The film centers around the arrival of a young and enthusiastic teacher, Russ Sheppard, who is assigned to Kugluktuk for a short period of time. He decides to introduce the sport of lacrosse to the students as a way to engage them and give them a sense of purpose.

Initially met with resistance from the community, Russ and his students soon form the first-ever lacrosse team in Kugluktuk, called The Grizzlies. As the team trains and competes, they not only discover their love for the sport but also find strength and healing in the face of their personal struggles.

The Grizzlies is a powerful and heartwarming film that explores themes of identity, resilience, and the power of community.

Making / Production

The Grizzlies was directed by Miranda de Pencier and written by Moira Walley-Beckett. The film is based on the true story of the Kugluktuk Grizzlies, a real-life lacrosse team formed by Inuit students in the early 2000s.

The production of the film took place in Iqaluit, Nunavut, as well as in Toronto, Canada. The filmmakers worked closely with the community of Kugluktuk, involving local residents and incorporating their input to ensure an authentic representation of Inuit culture and the challenges faced by the community.

Actors

• Ben Schnetzer as Russ Sheppard - a young teacher who introduces lacrosse to the Inuit students.
• Emerald MacDonald as Miranda Atatahak - one of the students who joins the lacrosse team.
• Paul Nutarariaq as Adam - another student who becomes a key player on the team.
• Anna Lambe as Spring - a talented hockey player who ultimately joins The Grizzlies.
• Ricky Marty-Pahtaykan as Kyle - a troubled student who finds purpose in lacrosse.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The real-life Kugluktuk Grizzlies lacrosse team inspired the creation of the film.
• The film's cast includes actual members of the Kugluktuk community, portraying themselves or characters based on their own experiences.
• The Grizzlies premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
• The film received positive reviews for its authentic representation of Inuit culture and the issues faced by indigenous communities.

Awards

The Grizzlies has received several awards and nominations, including:

• Audience Award for Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2018 Vancouver International Film Festival
• Best Cinematography in a Canadian Film at the 2018 Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards
• Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards

Quotes

• "Sometimes in life, things just come together in a way you never expected." - Russ Sheppard
• "You can't control what happens to you, but you can always control how you react." - Russ Sheppard
• "Lacrosse isn't just a game. It's medicine, it's therapy, it's community." - Russ Sheppard

Music, Soundtrack

The soundtrack for The Grizzlies features a blend of traditional Inuit music and contemporary songs. The film incorporates indigenous music to further immerse the audience in the cultural context of the story.

Some notable songs from the soundtrack include:

• "Suaalaaruurulungniq (Looking for My Drum)" by the Jerry Cans
• "The Medicine Game" by Susan Aglukark
• "Wolve" by Riit
• "Sisters" by Tanya Tagaq

Overall, The Grizzlies is a moving drama that sheds light on important social issues and celebrates the strength and resilience of indigenous communities.