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Blackbird is a coming-of-age drama directed by Canadian filmmaker Jason Buxton. The movie premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and received critical acclaim for its powerful performances and timely themes. The film follows the story of Sean Randall (Connor Jessup), a teenage loner living in a small town in Nova Scotia. Sean is an outcast at school, where he is bullied by his classmates and struggles to connect with his teachers. He spends most of his time holed up in his room, listening to music and playing video games.

Despite his isolation, Sean has a close relationship with his mother Deanna (Alexia Fast), who works as a nurse at a local hospital. However, their relationship is soon put to the test when Sean is falsely accused of plotting a school shooting after writing a violent essay for an English assignment.

The accusation leads to Sean's arrest and suspension from school, as well as a media frenzy and widespread panic in the community. As Sean faces the prospect of being tried as an adult and sent to prison, he is forced to confront the reality of his situation and the deep-seated anger and resentment that have been building inside him.

Meanwhile, Deanna struggles to cope with her son's situation and the disintegration of her family. She turns to her ex-husband (Michael Buie) for support, even as she begins to question her own role in Sean's troubled upbringing.

Through a series of haunting and evocative flashbacks, the film explores Sean's past and the underlying trauma and abuse that have pushed him to the brink of violence. We see glimpses of Sean's troubled childhood, his difficult relationship with his father, and the pervasive influences of violence and misogyny in his favorite video games.

At its core, Blackbird is a sensitive and emotionally resonant exploration of the themes of alienation, trauma, and the impact of violence on young people. The film is strengthened by its outstanding performances, particularly from Jessup and Fast, who imbue their roles with a sense of rawness and vulnerability.

The cinematography and direction are also noteworthy, as Buxton skillfully evokes the quiet beauty and isolation of small-town Nova Scotia, while also imbuing the film with an undercurrent of unease and tension.

Overall, Blackbird is a gripping and haunting film that explores timely and important themes with sensitivity and nuance. It is a testament to the power of cinema to explore and illuminate the complex realities of the human experience.

Blackbird is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.