Film Lens
Holy Angels focuses on the experiences of Indigenous children in a residential school setting. The film captures the traumatic memories of a former student who recalls being taken from her family at a young age, specifically at seven years old, and being assigned a number instead of a name. The harsh conditions, including physical abuse and cultural suppression, are vividly described, with the subject recounting how they were scrubbed with harsh substances and punished for speaking their language.
The documentary also reflects on the loss of cultural identity and the longing for familial connections. The subject reminisces about her grandmother and the joy of traditional practices, contrasting this with the oppressive environment of the school. The film aims to shed light on these painful histories, emphasizing the importance of remembering and acknowledging the past.
Why Watch
- •See the harsh realities of residential school life.
- •Meet a former student sharing her painful memories.
- •Find out how cultural identity was suppressed.
- •Discover the longing for family and tradition.
Did You Know
•The subject was taken from her mother at the age of seven.
•Children were assigned numbers, with the subject being number 34.
•The porridge served to the children sometimes contained worms.
•The subject recalls being locked in a cupboard and forgotten.
•The school environment was compared to being in jail.
Perfect For
Indigenous rights advocatesHistory enthusiastsCultural preservation supportersDocumentary lovers