Watch Luk'Luk'I

Luk'Luk'I is a gritty and eye-opening Canadian movie from 2017, showcasing the lives of several individuals during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The name of the movie comes from a word meaning "fast" in the language of the Coast Salish indigenous people, acknowledging the displacement and marginalization of the First Nations community in the city.

The movie is directed by Wayne Wapeemukwa and the cast includes non-professional actors Angel Gates, Joe Buffalo, Ken Harrower, and others, most of whom share similar backgrounds and experiences with the characters they portray.

The film is divided into several vignettes, each featuring a different protagonist and their struggles in the harsh and unforgiving urban environment. The characters are all facing various personal challenges, such as addiction, poverty, mental illness, or discrimination, but they all have one thing in common: the desire to survive and find some sort of meaning or purpose in their lives.

Angel Gates plays Candy, a single mother who works as a prostitute to support her drug addiction and take care of her young son. Despite her difficult circumstances, Candy remains resolute and determined to provide for her child, even if it means making tough choices and facing dangerous situations.

Joe Buffalo portrays Gwaii, a former boxer who suffers from traumatic brain injury and struggles to adjust to life outside the ring. With his health deteriorating and his career prospects dwindling, Gwaii tries to find a new path and reconnect with his indigenous roots, but the road ahead is long and uncertain.

Ken Harrower plays Mark, a homeless man who wanders the dark alleys and abandoned buildings of the inner city. Mark is haunted by his past and suffers from mental illness, but he also possesses a poetic spirit and a unique perspective on life. His interactions with other homeless people and the occasional stranger offer glimpses of hope and humanity in a bleak and unforgiving world.

Other characters featured in the movie include a young woman trying to leave her abusive boyfriend, a drug dealer with a guilty conscience, and a group of indigenous activists protesting against the Olympics and the gentrification of their neighborhood.

Luk'Luk'I is a raw and unflinching portrayal of urban poverty and marginalization, but it also offers moments of humor, beauty, and resilience. The movie captures the energy and diversity of Vancouver, as well as the contradictions and challenges of modern society.

The cinematography by Johnny Chen and the music by Adam Basanta enhance the mood and tone of the movie, creating a haunting and immersive experience. The use of handheld cameras, natural lighting, and ambient sounds gives the movie a documentary-like feel, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

Overall, Luk'Luk'I is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of people living on the fringes of society. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit, as well as a call for empathy and understanding in a world that often ignores or neglects those who need it the most.

Luk'Luk'I is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.