Watch Rhymes for Young Ghouls

Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a Canadian drama film directed by Jeff Barnaby, that was released in 2013. The film stars Devery Jacobs, Glen Gould, and Brandon Oakes, among others. Set in the 1970s, in the Red Crow Mi'kmaq reservation in Quebec, the movie brings to life a powerful tale of a young girl's journey of self-discovery in a harsh world of poverty, racism, and oppression.

The story centers around Alia (Devery Jacobs), a strong-willed teenage girl who is deeply affected by the death of her mother. Her father Joseph (Glen Gould) has fallen apart since then and is unable to care for or even acknowledge his daughter. Instead, he spends most of his time drinking and gambling, which has led to him being in debt to the sadistic and cruel Indian agent Popper (Mark Antony Krupa). Popper takes advantage of the poverty-stricken reservation and the vulnerability of its residents, imposing heavy taxes and threatening those who fail to pay with forced removal to a nearby residential school.

In this world of despair and survival, Alia finds solace in her criminal activities. She is a young mastermind who runs her own bootlegging operation, selling marijuana to her friends and peers. She is also known for her graffiti, a form of artistic expression that is a tribute to her mother, who was once an artist. Alia uses her intellect and her quick thinking to avoid the dangers and risks of her criminal enterprise while attempting to keep her father and little brother out of the reach of the sinister Popper.

However, Alia's life takes a sharp turn when her father and brother are arrested by Popper. She is forced to make a deal with the devil and to pay off her father's debt by working for Popper in his residential school, the very same school that took her best friend from her. This sets off a cascade of events that lead Alia to confront not only the forces of oppression that have kept her down but also her own demons.

Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a dark, brooding, and powerful film that offers a deep look at the long-lasting impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities. The director has not shied away from depicting the violent acts and the scars that they have left. And yet, at the heart of the movie, there is a call for hope and strength, a call for the coming together of the community to fight against the forces of injustice.

The film is exquisitely shot, with a hauntingly beautiful score that immerses the viewer into the world of the Red Crow Mi'kmaq reservation. The portrayal of Indigenous life is done with honesty, care, and sensitivity, and the cast, made up largely of Indigenous actors, convincingly convey the struggles and joys of life on the reservation.

Overall, Rhymes for Young Ghouls is an emotional, poignant, and dramatic film that speaks to the heart of issues that are still very much relevant today. The film is a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities in the face of adversity and the need for Canadians to start listening to their voices.

Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.