Nika & Madison

Nika & Madison expands upon First Nations (Walpole Island First Nation) director Eva Thomas’ short film Redlights (TIFF ’23), which was propelled by what are called Starlight Tours — where Canadian police officers drive Indigenous people to isolated locations outside of city limits, and dump them there, putting them in danger of frostbite, hypothermia, and, all too often, a frozen death.

In Thomas’ solo directorial feature debut, Madison (Star Slade) returns home to her community from university, greeted by her less-than-enthusiastic former best friend and cousin, Nika (Ellyn Jade). When Nika rejects Madison’s offer to accompany her to the local bar, a fateful decision is made.

After some drinks, Madison winds up in the back of a young police officer’s car, and things go very wrong from there. He attacks her, and Madison comes to her rescue. While the pair are forced back together, on the run, two police officers (played by Amanda Brugel and Shawn Doyle, also at the Festival in Youngblood) investigate what really happened.

While the police brutality and systemic racism that could lead to something as horrific as the Starlight Tours are the jumping off point, it is the relationship between the women that is the core of the film. The tension, both in their friendship and in their opposing lifestyles — one is more traditional and hunts, while the other is urban and outgoing — makes Nika & Madison crackle with intensity.

KELLY BOUTSALIS

Content advisory: mature themes, sexual violence, violence