Movies: Seeds (2024) by Kaniehtiio Horn: A Fated Homecoming and Cultural Reckoning

A Social Media Influencer's Unforeseen Battle

Seeds is a 2024 Canadian comedy thriller film that serves as the feature directorial debut of Kaniehtiio Horn. She also wrote and stars in the film. The story follows Ziggy, a young Mohawk social media influencer, who, after accepting a contract with a corporate seed company, is called back to her reservation to housesit. She is then forced into a deadly cat-and-mouse game to protect her family's heirloom seeds and her people's legacy from corporate interests. The film blends dark comedy, revenge thriller, and cultural commentary.

Why to watch this movie: A Unique Genre Blend and Authentic Storytelling

• Genre-bending Narrative: The film offers a unique mix of comedy and revenge thriller, creating a fresh and engaging viewing experience. It has been described as a "home invasion comedy" that is both pulpy and profound.

• A Relatable and Fierce Protagonist: Kaniehtiio Horn's performance as Ziggy is praised for its relatability and ferocity. She portrays a modern Indigenous woman navigating the complexities of her cultural identity and the pressures of the digital world.

• Authentic Cultural Portrayal: The movie provides an inviting and authentic glimpse into a small Kanienʼkehá:ka (Mohawk) community, incorporating details like the casual mixing of languages, sardonic humor, and a genuine sense of place.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/seeds-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/seeds-2024 (Canada)

LInk IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28133272/

About movie: https://flamingo-gar-rfze.squarespace.com/upcoming/p/seeds

Seeds (2024) by Kaniehtiio Horn: A Fated Homecoming and Cultural Reckoning

What is the Trend followed: A New Wave of Indigenous Storytelling

This film is a prime example of the growing trend of Indigenous filmmakers creating authentic and genre-bending stories. Instead of traditional historical dramas, these films, including Seeds, use popular genres like horror, comedy, and thriller to explore Indigenous identity and issues. This movement gives a voice to Indigenous creators and allows them to tell their own stories on their own terms.

Director's Vision: Channeling Rage into a Powerful Narrative

• Exploring Intergenerational Rage: Horn's vision for the film was to channel the rage she felt as an Indigenous woman, a result of centuries of intergenerational trauma from colonialism, and use it as a creative force for the film.

• A Unique Indigenous Female Lead: Horn wanted to create a "kick-ass Indigenous female lead" that challenges traditional portrayals of Indigenous people in film.

• Blending Comedy and Commentary: She sought to make a film that was both fun and profound, using humor and a grounded visual style to make a serious anti-colonial and food sustainability message accessible to a wider audience.

Themes: Legacy, Identity, and the Fight Against Colonialism

• The Commodification of Culture: The film explores how big corporations attempt to exploit and commodify Indigenous culture and resources for profit, drawing parallels to companies like Monsanto. Ziggy's influencer job is a direct example of this.

• Identity and Belonging: The central conflict for Ziggy is her journey to reconnect with her roots. She has left the reservation for a city life, and the events of the film force her to rediscover what it means to be an Indigenous person tied to her land and her people's past.

• Resistance and Empowerment: The movie is a story of resistance. Ziggy's fight to protect the "Three Sisters" (corn, beans, and squash), which are precious seeds and a source of sustenance for her community, is a powerful metaphor for resisting corporate and colonial oppression.

Key success factors: The Power of a Singular Vision

• Kaniehtiio Horn's Multifaceted Role: As the writer, director, and star, Horn's singular vision and strong performance are key drivers of the film's success. She brings an authentic and compelling presence to the screen.

• A Strong Ensemble Cast: The film is bolstered by a cast of familiar faces, including Graham Greene and Dallas Goldtooth, who add depth and chemistry to the story. The film also includes a clever running gag involving Greene playing himself.

• Inventive Storytelling: The movie utilizes modern elements like social media and text messages to enhance the narrative, creating a contemporary feel. The blend of genres and Horn's unique perspective makes the film stand out.

Awards and Nominations: A Promising Debut

The film has been recognized for its promising debut. It won the 2024 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award and was named to TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2024. The film received four nominations at the 13th Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film and Best Original Screenplay for Horn, and Best Performance in a Supporting Role for Graham Greene.

Critics Reception: A Promising but Imperfect Debut

• Exclaim!: Alex Hudson describes the film as a "promising beginning for a budding cinematic talent," noting its "cutting commentary and an inviting glimpse into life in a small Kanienʼkehá:ka community."

• Collider: Jason Gorber calls it a "pulpy romp" that mixes comedy, dread, and horror to create an "entertaining grindhouse mashup."

• Bloody Disgusting: Joe Lipsett suggests the film works better as a comedy than a revenge thriller, but finds it "cathartic and empowering" to see Ziggy fight back against "white colonial oppression."

• Contra Zoom Pod: The review notes that while the film has "charming" and "entertaining" performances, it can be "messy" with its tonal shifts and "a bit too convenient" in its plot. The action sequences are also described as weak due to low lighting.

Overall, critics see Seeds as a promising, if at times inconsistent, debut for Kaniehtiio Horn. The film is praised for its unique blend of genres, authentic cultural representation, and Horn's compelling performance, but some reviews note that the execution of the revenge-thriller elements could be stronger.

Reviews: A Fun, Authentic, and Thought-Provoking Film

• Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a 100% positive rating from critics, with an average rating of 6.9/10, signifying strong critical consensus.

• Reddit: User reviews on Reddit praise the film for being a "fun watch" and "a Mohawk comedy." One user noted that it's more of a thriller or comedy than a straight horror film, but that the ending definitely has horror-comedy elements. Another user appreciated the film's authentic portrayal of Mohawk history.

Overall, reviews indicate that the film is a fresh and worthwhile watch, particularly for its cultural authenticity and the strong performance of its lead, and is seen as a successful and entertaining genre piece.

Movie Trend: The Indigenous Genre Renaissance

The film is part of a growing trend in filmmaking that features Indigenous creators telling their own stories. This movement, often referred to as an Indigenous genre renaissance, allows for authentic representation and new perspectives on classic genres. Seeds specifically contributes to this trend by using the horror-comedy genre to explore themes of colonialism and cultural preservation from an Indigenous viewpoint.

Social Trend: The Power of Authenticity and Influencer Culture

The movie taps into the social trend of authenticity and influencer culture. It critiques the commodification of personal identity and heritage for corporate gain, a common struggle for modern content creators. The film also aligns with the broader cultural shift towards valuing authentic voices and niche communities over polished, mainstream perfection. It highlights how social media, while often a tool for corporate exploitation, can also be a platform for empowerment and community-building.

Final Verdict: A Promising, Empowering, and Unique Debut

Seeds is a highly recommended watch, especially for those looking for a film that breaks genre conventions and offers a unique, culturally rich perspective. While it may have some minor flaws in its execution, its heart, humor, and powerful message make it an exciting and memorable directorial debut for Kaniehtiio Horn. It's a cathartic film that empowers its protagonist and its audience, proving that a story rooted in authenticity can be both deeply personal and universally relatable.