Movie Review: Slash/Back
Slash/Back
2022 , Directed by Nyla Innuksuk
I was very pleased to get a screener of this short and sweet sci-fi flick from Shudder! Just in time for Native American Heritage Month, Slash/Back centers a girl-gang of teen and tween protagonists as they battle a mysterious otherworldly force in their remote Canadian town and still try to make it to a party with friends. Although this movie is far from perfect, I was so happy to watch it and have already recommended it to a friend's tween daughter.
It's a quiet little movie, which honors influences from classic movies like The Thing and the recent Attack the Block, but unlike those two very solid stories, some parts of this feel a little underdeveloped (needs a little more time spent building dread of its 'Big Bad'). As for the writing, it could have done with a bit more energy and a twinge of humor, some extra sprinklings of tension, but overall it was still a very watchable little coming-of-age flick thanks to its rather short run time. Still, I think it's decent given it's only 80-90 minutes, which doesn't really leave too much room to expound on personal choices and motivation in depth as is.
There's a serious shortage of First Nations and other Native/Indigenous* voices in the film and media industry, and too many retellings of their legends, lore and culture centering colonizers. I relish every moment of these First Nations and other Native/Indigenous* projects I'm able to find, and I truly hope that studios start paying more attention to the Native voices out there and greenlight more work. It's important that First Nations and other Native/Indigenous* people are allowed the space to tell their stories and show creative cinema through an Indigenous lens, and I think movies like this and Prey more than prove that people are ready, willing, and hungry for more!
Blending coming-of-age with a sci-fi adventure was a smart move. From what I understand, the entire cast of 11- to 14-year-olds are first-timers to film! I really do think they're doing their best, green as they are, and they certainly acted authentically for their age group and their actions were believable! They understand each other well, but feel lost in this world of tradition and heritage, and want to blaze their own path forward and mold their own worldview. I loved that the kids embraced their immaturity by way of fearlessness, and that tenacity meant standing up to these hideous creatures with a bravery no adult would be so bold enough to wield! Ah, to be young again and harness that feeling of infallibleness!
Although my perspective on this particular topic is as a white outsider, I was very appreciative of the attention paid to the internal struggle of tweens and teens who are finding themselves and simultaneously "losing" their cultural influence bestowed upon them by parents. Additionally, they're feeling alienated by absent parents, left to navigate the overwhelming world on their own, and thus rejecting anything reminding them of their parents in that way as well. The teens are battling a literal alien in their village, whilst feeling so alien in their own skin as they navigate the fine line between childhood and adulthood. The film presented a unique look at the balance between finding a way to respect tradition, embrace modernity, and embrace the unique culture of indigenous nations in a white-washed, colonized society. I thought it was all an ingenious way to explore all of those complicated emotions of teenhood, and though I don't have indigenous roots I could see that being very difficult to contend with on many levels in addition. It's not my place to speak on that further, though, as it's not my personal experience, but I wanted to mention it as it's got so much impact on the decisions of our characters, as well as the "invaders" theme. (And I'm sure there are lots more pieces on this topic from indigenous and First Nations folk who can speak thoughtfully and eloquently on the nuances I'll never grasp!)
Now I'd take a moment to give a hearty cheer to the creative team behind the costumes, creature, and conceptual creativity overall. I love the look of the aliens, who borrow a bit of a vibe from The Body Snatchers and Stranger Things. The loose skin masks also reminded me of a smidgen of design for The Whisperers on The Walking Dead. If you've seen the recent Possessor from Brian Cronenberg, you may also recognize the eyeless face aesthetic, too. It's a very thoughtful homage to films before it, whilst also staying relevant to Inuit stories of Qalupalik! It fit in seamlessly with the kids embracing their indigenous tattoos in an effort to band together as a united force was a powerful image, and a truly sweet moment that made me smile. Though influences from other filmmakers are there, it's quite clear that this story truly could not be told by anyone else; it is uniquely indigenous, and proud of it!
Last, but most certainly not least, I'd like to take a second to address how incredible the soundtrack is with its EDM synth infused 80s era style vibes. I nearly lost my mind when I realized the track featured Inuit Throat Singing! I follow an incredible gal on Instagram, Shina Nova, who has been exploring her roots of Inuit culture, and she has posted numerous videos of duets with her mother. Thanks to her Instagram account and all that she posts I recognized similar things in the movie and its music! It was incredible to hear this indigenous throat singing embraced on the soundtrack and melded with currently trending beats. Every time the main track by The Halluci Nation featuring Tanya Tagaq queued up, it lent a vibrant energy to the film that fit its setting and characters perfectly. The soundtrack also complemented the aesthetic of its girl-gang leads, lending a bit of a Stand By Me vibe in those instances. Those were some of my favorite scenes, and I really craved more of that (especially in the rather lackluster tween/teen party hangout haha!).
In short, this little film really surprised me and I encourage you to check it out, and explore a little more of the unique perspective and legend behind it. Looking forward to what all else Nyla Innuksuk and other creators like her have to share with us. I hope studios and producers are willing to pay attention, because it's high time us colonizers sit down and shut up, because we've spoken the stories and lives of others for far too long. There's a great big beautiful world of stories and experiences out there for all of us to learn about and explore, especially through Indigenous* cinema. I'm ready to listen, and I hope you all are too!
*First Nations and other Native/Indigenous are used frequently in this article so as not to be limiting of colonizer borders, and to acknowledge the lack of Native American and Native Canadian and other Indigenous voices in creative spheres. The Inuit are an indigenous people of the Arctic, and not of the Canadian First Nations delegation nor Native American. We mention this Inuit movie as part of Native American Heritage month to increase awareness for creators of Native and Indigenous descent and culture, as they’re frequently terms searched together.
