[stormy, nature sounds with drums]
[speaking in alien language]
[funky music]
♪ Hey. Hey.
♪ What's up?
♪ Hey, what's up? Not much. ♪
[music continues with a woosh sound]
♪ There's beauty above you
♪ There's beauty below
♪ Beauty surrounds you
♪ Everywhere you go
♪ If you've got a mind to
♪ set your dreams in a word
♪ You've got the power
♪ to rock this world
♪ You gotta have faith, hope, charity
♪ You gotta trust in yourself and what you can't see
♪ On a city street or an older road ♪
♪ You got the power
[traffic noises]
♪ This ain't a rich man or a poor man ♪
♪ They grow and leave
♪ You can be a doctor, or a lawyer ♪
♪ Even a tribal chief
[chuckling] Look at you, all serious.
RINGO: I'm glad we're doing this together.
Like it's really great for my Social Linguistics class.
This semester I'm concentrating on field work.
MITZI: Is that all you think about?
Not always.
I have some questions I wanted to ask you
for my next paper.
Mitzi: I don't think so.
I'm your girlfriend, not your subject.
What's your thesis called again?
"Indian Moves to the Big City"?
"The Urbanization of the Native Population
"in North America".
[Mitzi laughing]
You and your field work.
I don't want to be studied.
I'm gonna make hats.
Crazy, wacky, out of this world hats.
Hats that are gonna save the world.
How are hats gonna save the world?
One sandwich at a time.
And where are these world saving hats coming from?
From me.
I'm applying to fashion design school.
I'm gonna make life saving headgear
like you would not believe.
I'm gonna need a portfolio.
So could you take some photos for me?
[laughing]
And are we still going dancing after for my birthday?
RINGO: You only turn 25 once.
I know this crazy crowded dance club.
The DJ is my friend.
Everybody's your friend.
Ah, you know it, huh?
[laughing]
Okay.
Here you go, guys.
Here you go.
RINGO: You get a hat.
[horn honking]
MITZI: Hey, Charlie B.
How you doing?
What is it now?
Asthma?
Bronchitis?
Pneumonia?
Emphysema?
Tuberculosis?
Asbestos?
Where'd the green giant go?
Ringo took me dancing last night.
My legs are still aching.
What's his last name again?
Leaves-No-Tip?
Leaves-No-Shadow.
CHARLIE B: Does he still go on like,
"On my reservation-
and blah, blah, blah.
He's proud of where he comes from.
You should try and be his friend.
His droll academic dialogue bores me.
I could never be his friend.
Some people like their home.
You hear from teachers' college?
I start in the fall.
But I have to get in better shape first.
Did you hear from Uncle William
and Auntie Annabelle?
No.
I only hear from them when someone's dead
or if they need me to send them something.
At least you have parents.
Crazy.
They're your parents too.
They brought you up, remember?
You're kind of my brother.
I wish I had a mom.
You can have mine.
Oh, I forgot.
You already do.
Read something to me, Mitz.
Next time, I gotta get home.
I have a ton of work to do.
[somber music]
♪ music continues
He looks bad.
He'll survive.
He always does.
Molly, can't you or Blabby go help Dad with Mom?
What do you mean I'm selfish?
It's my turn?
I have things to do.
[phone clicks]
Hello?
[dial tone buzzing]
Hello?
Ringo: There's gorgeous, gorgeous.
Mitzi, your hats are fantastic.
Really beautiful.
Like out of this world.
Oh I'm crazy about them.
I'm gonna write an essay.
With your hats and my photos, no kidding,
maybe you can even apply to a school in Europe.
[funky music] [camera shutter clicking]
Oh, oh.
It's stuck. Ow.
Ow ow ow ow.
Oh, I'm stuck.
Ow, I'm stuck.
RINGO: Hold still.
Ow! Ow!
Oh, are you okay?
Just a prick.
We must sacrifice for our art.
Okay, all right.
What a great afternoon.
You, me.
My camera, your talent.
Me.
My rose prick.
You've been quiet all day.
Did I do something?
[soft music]
[camera shutter clicking]
I have to go home.
[crying] I have to go home.
Aren't you home now?
No.
I have to go back home to my reserve,
Crazy Owl Island.
The place where everyone's cuckoo
and no one wants to live there, including me.
It can't be that bad, can it?
No, it is that bad.
Everyone on that island is a little off.
RINGO: Everyone feels that way about their home.
Maybe it's changed.
Is there wifi?
Maybe I could do some research there.
We're like a pack of werewolves,
or some other group of losers.
What?
Somebody die?
It's my Dad.
It's my Mom.
My Dad needs my help to look after her.
She's sick.
[gentle music]
♪ music continues
It's rough.
It's really nice of your Dad
to send you a birthday present.
No, I don't want to go back.
My mom hates everyone except my cousin.
Why does everything have to happen to me?
And fashion school, you're coming back, right?
And us.
There is no us.
My island sucks.
WOMAN: Hey, Honeyboy.
Can you give us a lift to Owl Island?
Shouldn't you girls be in school?
WOMAN: Ah, come on.
You can party with us.
We made sandwiches.
We have weed.
I have work to do.
You should be learning something.
Come on, I'll give you a ride home.
Let's go.
[funky instrumental]
♪ music continues
I remember being that age.
Nothing to do but make trouble.
Life here is short and cold.
They're just trying real hard to have a life.
I can't believe you're still driving this boat.
I thought you would've left the island by now.
Still gathering medicine for your grandfather?
HONEYBOY: Yeah, when he goes out in the Bush with your dad,
I go with them.
You haven't been around here in a while either.
My presence has been requested.
They still call you Honeyboy?
Uh, yeah.
You remember Simone Muskrat?
Hey, Simone, you remember Mitzi Bearclaw?
[quirky jazzy instrumental]
What a stupid looking hat.
[quirky jazzy instrumental]
♪ music continues
You're still a muskrat.
[clears throat and horks]
[quirky jazzy instrumental]
♪ music continues
[horn honking]
William will come by to pick these up later.
Good to know we have drinking water.
[horn blowing]
You've got a wild one there.
Muskrat's still wreaking havoc in the streets?
[horn blowing]
She really likes blowing that horn.
Yeah, she does.
Any chance she's going away somewhere forever?
[distant horn blowing]
[distant dog barking]
[wind chimes chiming] [leaves rustling]
[somber spiritual humming]
[Angelic Harmonies]
[wind blowing] [wind chimes chiming]
[somber spiritual humming]
[Angelic Harmonies]
[uptempo song on radio]
Mitzi.
Oh, I thought I heard Yellowdog's boat.
You're not supposed to be here until next week.
Dad, it is next week.
Ah, I was gonna clean up this mess
right after I finished reading last week's news.
Dad.
It's okay.
Don't do that.
Where's Mom?
WILLIAM: In bed.
She might be awake.
That horn would wake anybody up.
I saw Charlie B at the hospital.
He's coming home soon.
How's she doing?
Not too good.
The doctors say they can't do anything else for her.
She'll-she'll be going on dialysis soon.
One day she'll leave this island
and never come back again.
What's her mood been like?
Miserable, hateful, the usual.
Why do you think your sisters wouldn't come?
You, I wouldn't have written to you if I had a choice.
If only Charlie B was around,
she'd be nicer.
She treats him like a bear cub.
How can you stand it?
You get used to it.
She's in pain.
If I could take it from her I would.
She's suffered enough.
Dad, I'm sorry.
[crying]
It's gonna be fine.
ANNABELLE: William! Talking to yourself?
Knock it off.
You're sounding crazy.
Hope you're not PTSD'ing again.
Can't help you this time.
WILLIAM: The bear has awakened.
Any coffee?
Yeah.
Want any?
No, I better not. I had three already.
I think I'm getting an ulcer.
Ah, it's pretty bad.
How long has it been there?
Uh, just this morning.
I like it strong.
You're not used to bush coffee anymore.
Go in and say hi to your mother.
I'll let you two have some time alone.
I think I may be going out for a while with Oliver.
We want to go do some hunting.
I keep telling him that there's nothing left to hunt,
but he doesn't care.
Dad, that letter you sent me
made it sound like Mom was dying.
I didn't know what to expect.
I guess I over exaggerated.
It sounded desperate.
I'm sorry.
I really missed you.
ANNABELLE: William, quit talking to yourself.
Is Molly here?
Go in and say hi.
[knocking]
["This Ole House" by Stuart Hamblen]
Hi, Ma.
What are you doing here?
Come to see me die?
Can't wait, can ya?
Ma, can't you even say hi?
Hello.
Now get lost.
[sniffling]
Why do you have to be like that?
Why'd you come back?
Run out of money?
Well I don't have any and neither does your Dad.
Just like your sisters.
I thought I was done having kids and then you came along.
Why does everything have to happen to me?
I thought that things might've changed.
I see they haven't.
Why should they, huh?
Life is just peachy.
Radio Announcer: And now for our next selection.
Words come easy.
[by The Glaser Brothers]
♪ Words come easy
It's so stuffy in here.
What are you trying to do, kill me?
It's freezing cold out there.
Close that damn window.
[slow country music]
Who else looks after you besides Dad, huh?
Just your Dad.
One year when your Dad was going through a rough time
I even went hunting on my own with the other two.
We skinned and packed the animal all by ourselves.
Didn't need any help then
and I still don't need any help right now!
If I wasn't sick I could do everything.
Now look at me.
MITZI: Where's Molly and Blabby?
Don't they come here?
They got their own families.
Besides, they're all stupid.
William, get in here!
I'm here.
Our girl is finally home.
I need help!
Mitzi can help you.
She's as useless as the rest of them.
Probably still trying to become something really fancy.
How's your dress making going?
I make hats.
Shut the damn window, hat maker.
It seems like a waste to me.
You're hopeless.
♪ Ooh
♪ Ooh wee
Welcome home, Mitzi Bearclaw.
Oh, I had forgotten about you.
[soft spiritual humming]
The others?
Faith and Charity were right behind me.
What do you wanna do?
You can go anywhere.
I wish I could go anywhere.
Anywhere but here.
WILLIAM: The future is the only place to go.
You just have to keep moving and then you're there.
It'll get better, I promise.
[soft spiritual humming]
[growling]
What the hell was that?
[laughing]
Charity is a trickster.
He's just trying to keep your guard up.
WILLIAM: He gets carried away sometimes,
but he won't harm you ever.
[soft spiritual humming]
[growling]
No-
When do you disappear?
We.
Are always.
[chimes]
♪ Happy
[applause]
[whimsical "Jingle Bells"]
[dog barking in unison to song]
[horn blowing]
Smell that air.
Hey, you almost look normal.
Is that Honeyboy Yellowdog
your new object of desire now?
He's cool.
Shut up.
He's got a girlfriend, eh?
Big deal.
Simone Muskrat.
[clears throat and horks]
She was reading one of those gossipy magazines on the boat.
I don't care.
Oh, you care.
[coughing]
Ah, she's gross.
Yeah, she is.
Give it a rest.
What do you got in here, rocks?
My computer, my journals,
notebooks.
Oh, and I did bring some rocks.
Fossils I found on the beach.
True witnesses of time passing.
They'd have to be rocks.
You couldn't scan them or-
leave them where you found them?
[coughing]
CHARLIE B: Ringo.
[coughing]
What, huh?
Ringo Leaves-No-Shadow left a shadow.
I'm sorry.
And keep your mouth shut about Honeyboy.
[whistling]
Wow, look at this place.
It was a disaster.
Where's Uncle William?
Hunting.
It cheers him up.
Hungry?
Nah.
Maybe.
What do you got?
He says there's nothing to hunt anymore.
He likes to spend time by himself in the Bush.
And how's Auntie?
Some things never change.
What's the doctors say?
No jogging, no smoking, the usual.
Any singing allowed?
[singing in foreign language]
♪ continues
[coughing]
I guess singing's out too.
[coughing]
ANNABELLE: What the hell is going on out there?
What's all that goddamn noise?
Nothing, Ma.
Shhh.
ANNABELLE: Knock it off then. I'm trying to sleep.
[laughing and coughing]
I wanna see her.
You always were a suck up.
Ma, Ma, Ma.
What?
Look who's here.
You know I can't see a damn thing!
Hello, Auntie Annabelle.
Oh, my sweet nephew, come.
CHARLIE B: I missed you.
ANNABELLE: Mitzi, why didn't you tell me he was home?
You've been gone so long.
But now I'm back for good.
[somber instrumental]
I haven't seen you in such a long time.
I missed you.
CHARLIE B: I finally finished university.
I just want to write.
There's so many stories that I want to finish.
And I brought you an audiobook on CD.
It's called, "The English Patient"
by Michael Ondaatje.
I know that you liked reading.
You used to read to me all the time.
You used to read me your crazy stories.
[laughing]
CHARLIE B: It was special.
I'm ready to die, Charlie.
I'm worthless.
No, no, don't say that.
We love you.
I can't help William or the girls anymore.
It's the sugar.
It takes everybody.
[coughing]
[soft spiritual flute music]
You know, I've always loved your stories
and your poetry.
Why don't you read me something?
What would you like to hear?
Oh, I don't know.
Your latest.
[soft spiritual flute music]
♪ music continues
CHARLIE B: Ghost Dance, 1890.
Not that long ago.
The real human beings were in trouble.
They prayed to their ancestors for help.
The ancestors answered.
Your, our.
Heartbeats must continue.
Drumming, dancing, singing, laughing, loving, and touching.
Feeling the sun.
Tasting the rain.
Hearing the wind.
Smelling your hair.
Breathing, feeling, listening.
That is what we have to do everyday forever,
for infinity.
[soft spiritual instrumental]
♪ music continues
CHARLIE B: And now,
how about something from your famous
wiener sandwich anthology?
[gasp]
CHARLIE B: 1975, day one.
[country music]
♪ music continues
What do I owe you for the gas?
STORE OWNER: 10 dollars.
Hey. -Hey.
Where's Simone?
She's out trapping with her mother.
[laughing]
I didn't think she was the outdoorsy type.
Yeah, well they like to snare rabbits
and other small animals.
Must be a mother daughter thing then.
Gets her off my Dad's boat for a while.
Honeyboy Yellowdog still driving your Dad's boat.
Only when he asks me to.
If I asked you to drive my boat would you?
Well I didn't know that you had a boat.
Well I do, I just don't take it out.
Oh that's a shame.
Boats are meant to be driven.
What are you doing tomorrow?
We could go around the island a couple times with it.
I have to go to Simone's birthday.
The party can't go on all day.
Simone, cool it.
When you're not looking,
I'm gonna get you.
[grunt]
I don't want any trouble in my store, Mitzi.
What, I wasn't-
Wow, she really punched you.
She's crazy.
Is she always like that? -Yeah.
Hey you two, get back here.
[snowmobile revving]
STORE OWNER: Is this the TV station?
Yes, I'd like to report those two girls that are stealing.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth.
[sighs]
[rumbling spiritual flute chords]
[laughing]
Huh?
[gasps]
I haven't been out here since Halley's Comet.
ANNABELLE: Yes, he has.
He was in a deep sleep last time.
[Mitzi giggles]
Hope was having lugubrious century.
WILLIAM: I love it out here.
It's so peaceful.
Dark and quiet.
When traveling through space,
one must always remember to follow the rules of the galaxy.
There's only one rule I remember.
I learned that on Venus.
Leave earth on earth.
Look how beautiful Mother Earth is.
She's dying.
I love her so much.
[sombre spiritual rattling instrumental]
[sombre spiritual humming]
♪ music continues
Hm.
It looks better than it did.
[chuckling] Is that a love bite?
More like a love punch without the love.
Simone?
Yeah.
The Muskrats are bullies.
[clear throats and hork]
And disruptors.
Yeah.
I was always afraid of them.
How can so much badness come from one family?
They were born that way.
CHARLIE B: Yeah, they're rotten.
So are you going to quit talking to Honeyboy?
Na ah.
[slurping]
[in unison] Ah.
You ever hear from that city guy?
Nope.
[slurping]
[in unison] Ah.
So you and Honeyboy gonna get it on?
Okay, Charlie,
leave her alone.
MITZI: Almost got it. One more heave.
I can't do it.
[grunting]
You know Charlie can't do this kind of lifting.
You could've joined the army and gotten some real muscle.
Maybe you heard millinery instead of military.
Go, go design a hat that we can use as a tiny hotel room.
[chuckling]
Who buys hats anymore anyways?
I'm gonna design one and name it after you.
The Annabelle.
I don't want no damn hat with my name on it.
Where's William?
He gets me out of the house no problem.
[laughing]
Where are you taking me anyways?
Somewhere nice, Auntie.
[soft instrumental]
MITZI: Are you doing one of your plays?
CHARLIE B: Yep.
I'm sure it's going to be very beautiful.
Mitzi always helps.
She's designing the costumes.
Yes.
I'll help you.
[soft instrumental]
♪ music continues
How's your eye?
Didn't see it coming.
Next time I'll be ready.
Why Simone Muskrat?
[clears throat and horks]
That desperate for female attention?
No.
I like being alone.
Tell her to buzz off.
I'm terrible with makeup.
Last time you made us look like monsters
and you weren't even trying.
Right.
Well now we know your special talent.
You can show these gals how to walk like zombies.
Ah, there we go, okay.
Grrrrr.
Come on, try it.
Grrrrr.
[upbeat country music]
♪ Love is
♪ A warm spring break
♪ It fills the soul
♪ Time and again
♪ When you think it's gone
♪ That it's gone for good
♪ It reappears like magic
♪ Baby, like it should
♪ Love is patient
♪ Love is kind
♪ And when it finds you it will ♪
♪ Blow your mind
[whistling]
Whatcha doing?
Finishing headdresses for Charlie B's play.
Summer's flown by.
And I can't believe I got sucked into doing this.
I got mail for you.
So, what do you think?
It looks good to me.
Who's Ringo Leaves-No-Shadow?
Some guy I used to know.
We look like an Incan God.
We are royal.
You are the strangest person I know.
When did that happen?
As soon as I got here.
And everything changed.
I had plans to go to hat school.
I still want to but who knows?
I could teach you how to make whistles out of these.
We use them around here, it's a night thing.
Yeah, I remember.
So what do you do here,
besides drive your dad's boat?
Hunt, fish,
get drunk, hang out.
What do you really wanna do?
I don't know.
Get my own boat,
build a house,
have kids.
I wanted to make things.
Be on a runway in Paris.
Live the fast life at a turtle's pace.
Learn three languages.
Meet the Dalai Lama.
You want to meet a llama?
Yeah, something like that.
Shoot.
I'm almost out of sticks.
Let's get more.
Do you have time?
I'm my own boss.
I have a couple hours.
[uplifting music]
Hopefully we'll find more sticks.
It looks like we're running low.
[chuckles] I'm telling you.
This giant pile's here. -You can never have enough.
Come on, keep it going.
I haven't worked out yet today. -All right. Okay.
There's one on, one more I got my eye on.
Let me know if it's too much.
Whoa, gonna be too much.
Wah!
Don't laugh at me .
Okay, come on.
HONEYBOY: No.
[laughing]
[gentle instrumental]
♪ music continues
Here.
I always thought you would fall for one of those macho guys.
Me, too.
I mean, I have.
[laughing] What?
Shut up.
Things never change.
It's the same as when we were kids.
It was boring then, and it's boring now.
I miss this quiet place.
There's no industrial sounds.
I want to get old here.
Don't you miss the fun stuff?
All my fun stuff's up here.
Can take that anywhere.
My fun stuff is in other places.
What about teachers' college?
I'll get there.
Sometime.
TV ANNOUNCER: And now for Owl Island News where we give a hoot.
[owl hooting]
There have been a number of incidence involving two girls.
They are breaking into houses and stealing from homes.
Stop before you get into real trouble!
TV ANNOUNCER: And now, back to your scheduled program.
TV CHEF: We're going to take this beautiful moose tongue
and fry it with onions, salt and some vegetables.
Is that moose tongue?
It's gross.
It's a local cook.
I think they were even on that show "Master Chief".
TV CHEF: So brown up all the sides.
That shouldn't take long and then we'll move on
to this side dish here.
[coughing]
[labored breathing]
I feel like crap.
Charlie?
Call Honeyboy right now!
Charlie.
MITZI: Honeyboy, I need you right now.
[sirens echoing]
[ominous music]
[owl hooting]
[thundering] [spiritual music]
♪ continues
SIMONE: Mitzi Bearclaw.
[growling]
Muskrats.
[clears throat and horks]
[demonic voice] We are not the Muskrats.
SIMONE: Mitzi Bearclaw.
You're so weak.
Don't touch me!
[laughing]
What's this?
Just as I thought.
It burns.
Why did you do that?
It's nothing.
It will decay very soon.
These are worth fighting for.
Have some. [laughing]
Let's give her the full treatment.
Her simple life has made her simple.
We surprise attack at dawn
from the rear.
This is the best.
Dinosaur blood.
Black gold.
Texas tea.
[laughing] [Mitzi screaming]
Stop!
[thunderous instrumental]
♪ continues
WILLIAM: Hit it hard, Mitzi.
Hit it so you will make the trees shake.
You will make the dogs bark.
The rocks will come out of the water
and smash these guys!
[rhythmic thunderous drums]
You gotta run.
Run, run!
[rhythmic thunderous drums]
Run!
[rhythmic thunderous drums]
[screaming]
[crackling]
[knife whittling]
[soft spiritual flute instrumental]
♪ continues
[eerie instrumental]
[laughing]
MITZI: Mary and Moe had a lot of fun doing that.
I think I'll write something for them.
A love story maybe.
It'll take place in the Bush or a boat.
Better yet, a canoe.
[coughing]
[knocking]
Come in, preacher.
Come in. -Anni, William.
It was nice to receive your call.
I haven't seen you in a while.
Anni, Charlie B.
Hey.
PREACHER: How is Annabelle?
It was good to see her out and about.
Oh, having Mitzi and Charlie home has been a godsend.
It's good to see you again, Mitzi.
It's, uh,
nice to see you working with the young people here.
Yeah that was fun.
PREACHER: It's good to have the youth around.
It breathes new life into old Owl Island.
It gives us hope.
Do you think Annabelle would mind a little prayer?
Prayer is always appreciated, preacher.
Meegwetch for coming.
ANNABELLE: Anni, preacher.
PREACHER: Anni, Annabelle.
How are you this evening?
ANNABELLE: I couldn't be better, Minister.
WILLIAM: Where are you off to?
A friend's.
ANNABELLE: Mitzi is joining in and not as uppity
as she once was when she first arrived.
[soft classical music]
♪ music continues
[door slamming]
[howling]
HONEYBOY: You look nice.
MITZI: Thanks.
I thought I should keep up my profile.
I'm gonna be a fashion expert
sometime in the near future, you know?
Huh?
You think you'll ever leave here?
When my granddad, Oliver, passes away,
I'm going to be Owl Island's medicine man.
I'm trained that way.
So, no.
This is my life.
You think you could see yourself staying here?
March, April, six months.
So far so good.
I don't miss my cell phone.
All the calls I used to get.
You wouldn't believe it.
Who used to call?
Fashion design houses,
models who needed a designer hat.
You name it, they called.
I'm just pulling your leg.
No one called.
I just waited for calls.
I can wait for calls anywhere.
Wait here with me.
[laughing]
Hey, Dad, what do you think?
Uncle Oliver here looks like a war hero.
Well I still got it in me.
It looks pretty good, I bet.
Yeah, I'm going to wear that for the next
Veteran's Day parade.
When'd you learn to do this?
She cut two stacks of wood today.
That's the kind of woman we need around here.
Where's Charlie?
Lying down.
I'll save him some fish.
I'll save some for the preacher, too.
I'll be working in my room,
I don't want to disturb your fish fry.
UNCLE OLIVER: It's got external uses too, you know.
WILLIAM: Yeah it's good for your aging legs.
[William chuckling]
UNCLE OLIVER: Remember that. Bannock medicine.
WILLIAM: Pull up a chair, preacher.
UNCLE OLIVER: You want some Saturday night bannock to go with that fish?
PREACHER: Thank you, but no, Oliver.
I've been dry for six years now.
Praise the Lord. Meegwetch to the Creator.
William, you should come to my parish sometime.
We have groups that pray together.
It's pretty wonderful.
[soft country music]
[soft snoring]
MITZI: Dad, Dad.
It's time to go to bed.
Come.
Come on.
[soft country music]
♪ Bringing out light the fire we know ♪
♪ Oh, at the end of the song
♪ Is the hardest of goodbyes
♪ Are the ones we cry
♪ Someday you'll understand, oh ♪
♪ The reasons I must fly
PREACHER: In the Book of Isaiah.
The great prophet states that the Creator
will not grow tired or weary,
and his deep understanding, no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power
of the weak.
Even the youth grow tired and weary.
Young men and women will stumble and fall,
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not be faint.
We give thanks to the grandfathers.
The sun, the rain, the stars overhead,
and the Earth beneath our feet.
[soft country music]
♪ music continues
We thank the Creator for looking after our loved ones
as they continue on their journey
back to the spirit world.
[soft country music]
♪ You know the kind
♪ Things that I always meant to say before today ♪
I missed you yesterday.
I was there.
So was Simone.
I don't even know who was there.
I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa.
It was a sad day for everyone.
I can't talk about it.
I can't even believe it.
Why does she cling to you like a leach?
She's got nothing better to do.
I don't know what I'm doing here.
One of the first things I said to you was,
"Life here is short."
What?
Wait.
I don't want this to be all there is.
There's a whole wide world out there.
Yeah.
I know.
Wait, I'm not saying I-
I still want us to be-
Honeyboy?
[motor rumbling]
[crying]
[knocking]
Ringo.
Mitzi?
Hi.
MITZI: Ah, what are you doing here?
[crying]
Dad?
This is Ringo Leaves-No-Shadow.
[crying]
RINGO: I wish I had come earlier.
It's different than I expected.
It's so empty.
I used to think that too.
What's the future for people who live on an island this-
poor?
So far from everything.
So I guess you're not staying.
I'm thinking of moving back home.
I've been offered a job at the casino.
And your thesis?
I got tired of academia.
I'm going to take a rest.
And besides,
I could do that anytime, anywhere.
MITZI: What's this?
RINGO: Your portfolio.
It was just sitting there and-
You're good, Mitzi.
You should really-
I'm needed more here than I thought.
My parents-
My parents would never live like this.
All of your thesis work has really overtaken your brain.
Do you hear yourself?
You sound like those textbooks you study.
You're a cyborg Indian.
[dog barking]
RINGO: Things never turn out the way I thought they would.
How so?
I thought you'd be leaving with me.
It crossed my mind a couple months ago but-
who knows?
[quirky jazz music]
Who's that?
Simone Ratface?
I'm Simone Muskrat.
Ringo Leaves-No-Shadow.
SIMONE: I'm so sorry if your time spent here was boring.
It wasn't so boring for Beary over there.
She had her claws in everything.
If you need a name of a victim-
No.
Wasn't boring at all.
Let's go, Simone. This is none of your business.
Mitzi was sleeping with my boyfriend, Honeyboy.
They thought I didn't know.
What?
She's a liar.
I'm not your boyfriend.
I knew something was going on.
He was way too happy and always whistling.
Okay.
I get it.
It all makes sense.
I thought I was doing you a favor .
Giving you some hope for the future,
offering you a place in my life.
SIMONE: H-Boy.
I'll leave your boat at the marina.
Just get it there.
[quirky jazz instrumental]
♪ music continues
MITZI: What just happened?
HONEYBOY: Simone just stole my boat.
And Ringo Leaves-No-Shadow.
[horn blowing]
[rhythmic singing and drumming]
♪ music continues
[traditional indigenous singing]
♪ music continues
CHARLIE B: Whatcha making?
Ah, I don't know.
I never understood what's with you and hats.
It's not dresses,
not shoes, pants, Spanx.
But hats.
Hats hold a mystery for me.
They're a symbol of power,
but a source of strength and a comfort.
A part of a uniform but off.
You wear the right one,
mind-probing headgear.
Making protection, warmth and in a way,
self-identification.
God, listen to me.
I think I could win wars with a perfectly designed
aerodynamic cap.
You could go into any danger zone
and go unnoticed
and noticed when you want to be.
I mean, come on, need I say more?
Well, the passion's real.
We are passionate people,
you and me.
You and I.
[sighs] You and I.
We belong to a near extinct tribe of thing makers.
[soft spiritual flute instrumental]
You make hats, Mitzi.
The world can never have enough chapeaus.
Especially the ones that give you power.
And you, Charlie B.
Not sure.
I don't think I'm going to teachers' college.
You have to be the one to travel the cosmos.
ANNABELLE: I need to go to the bathroom!
Mitzi.
William.
Where the hell is everybody?
[background chatter]
[Mitzi clears throat]
Sorry we're late.
My mom wanted to come.
Okay, so we're trying to do something surreal
with this performance.
What's that?
It's like a dream.
A strange one but it's really happening.
That happens to me all the time.
Like the time we're sitting in the park
and a stray dog came by and frenched you.
[giggles]
I told you to never talk about that again.
CHARLIE B: I can think of worse things than being kissed by a dog.
Now I know we were supposed to do this months ago
but I want to thank you all for holding tight
and standing by.
That's what we Owl Islanders do.
Tonight we stage our performance for the community
and for me to experience this with all of you
it'll be like a dream, but a real one.
Any questions?
Why do they call you Charlie B?
Mostly to pay tribute to everything that I love.
Ah, the written word, its authors,
uh, Charles Baudelaire,
Charles Bukowski,
Charlotte Bronte.
You know, the B unites us in my most humble way.
[gasps]
MAN: Somebody get him a chair.
[quirky jazz instrumental]
♪ music continues
[grunting]
What are you doing?
[rumbling] [sizzling]
[distant screeching] [quirky jazz instrumental]
Where did you come from?
I wouldn't miss this for the world.
[quirky jazz instrumental]
♪ music continues
HONEYBOY: Simone, stop.
Mitzi, don't.
Mitzi, she's a mean fighter.
[laughing]
You look so stupid.
[laughing]
[quirky jazz instrumental]
♪ music continues
To remember the dark times.
CHARLIE B: Please don't do that.
I only have a few copies.
I grew up with your horrible family all my life.
[horks]
[coughing]
MITZI: Get off!
Get the hell out of here
before I run your whole family over!
[spits]
And you.
Huh?
You better be careful.
You're lucky you're old.
I can still make your mother cry.
Get the hell out of here
and crawl back in the hole you came from.
Go on! [thunderous drumming]
[rhythmic drumming]
♪ continues
Mom, awesome.
[traditional indigenous singing]
♪ continues
[applause and cheers]
[applause echoing]
[chimes twinkling]
♪ continues
[rhythmic drumming]
[traditional indigenous singing]
♪ continues
[singing slows down]
♪ continues
[singing speeds back up to normal speed]
♪ continues
[soft guitar strumming]
[dishes crashing]
[soft guitar strumming]
♪ Where did you go, brother
♪ Where have you been
♪ Where did you go, brother
♪ Where have you been
Hey, sleepy.
I brought you some books.
♪ You must have seen the bullets bright ♪
♪ Watch dangers falling from the sky ♪
♪ Where did you go
Mary, find a nurse right now.
Help's coming.
I want to get out of here.
Like you wouldn't believe.
I've never seen you this bad.
I'm dying.
It hurts.
Charles Baudelaire,
"The Eyes of Beauty".
You are a sky of autumn,
pale and rose.
But all the sea of sadness in my blood surges and ebbing,
leaves my lips morose.
Salts with the memory of the bitter flood.
♪ Where did you go, my brother ♪
♪ So long you were gone
♪ You saw the quiet water bleed ♪
Charity's been here.
♪ Where soldiers go and never leave ♪
Stay strong, Charles.
Try to relax. I'll be right back.
♪ My brother
♪ So long you were gone
You gotta get better.
♪ One by one the warriors come around ♪
I'm not going anywhere.
♪ It's time to lay your quiver down ♪
I'll always be here.
♪ One by one the warriors come ♪
♪ It's time to lay your quiver down ♪
[crying]
[flatline buzzing]
♪ Duty's done, you're free to go ♪
♪ It's time to raise
Why does everything always happen to you?
♪ Everybody knows
♪ One by one the warriors come ♪
♪ It's time to lay your quiver down ♪
Guess who I just dropped off.
Who?
Mary.
It's her first visit back since school started.
Who knew she was the scholarly type?
It's from Charlie B.
I should take this to my Mom.
ANNABELLE: Mitzi, is that you?
Yes, Momma.
Something came in the mail from Charlie.
When his Mom died,
I felt like dying too.
And then Charlie came.
I knew that he needed all my help
if he was going to survive.
The love I didn't show you went to him.
It wasn't fair, I know this.
But you are strong.
Charlie.
I barely knew how to love after what life gave me.
And what little I had,
I didn't know how to stretch it out for everybody.
Mom, it's okay.
ANNABELLE: I became hard and hateful.
That damn school took everything from me.
I don't know how William stayed with me all these years.
MITZI: Mom, the hospital sent over Charlie B's things.
He left something for you.
Dear Auntie Annabelle,
if you have this letter in your possession,
you know I am no longer amongst the living.
Thank you for making me a place in your home,
and in your heart.
With this letter I'm sending cedar shavings
discarded while a friend of mine carved a ceremonial mask.
I watched him from the beginning to the end.
These were sacrificed for beauty,
but they are just as powerful.
I slept with them under my pillow.
I remember each scrape and end of that chisel.
They were given to me,
and now I give them to you, Auntie.
With deep, deep love
and utmost affection,
Charles Bearclaw.
[sombre guitar strumming]
♪ continues
[sombre humming]
♪ continues
WILLIAM: I knew we, we had to go sometime.
I don't think we can spend another winter here,
especially now.
MITZI: Dad, come and eat a sandwich.
Happy birthday, Mitzi.
Hm.
20 bucks, thanks, Dad.
You're a big girl now.
This past year has gone by so fast.
I can't believe you're 26.
You'll like living in town, Dad.
Especially in the winter.
You'll get to visit Molly, Blabby, grandkids.
They'll be glad to see you.
Maybe I'll take up tennis.
[laughing]
Can't see it.
You're right.
Little beach volleyball though.
Thanks, Dad.
[soft spiritual flute music]
♪ continues
So this is it.
Yeah.
The world's waiting for me.
What can I tell ya.
What will Owl Island be like without the Bearclaws?
It will not be the same.
Little parting gift.
Do you know what this is?
A nasty revenge of Simone Muskrat.
She said she'd get me.
Poor Ringo.
And lucky me.
Word is someone got ahold of some love medicine.
Listen to this.
"On this day
"I will marry my Indian princess.
"Our marriage will take place in the Poconos.
"Together we are releasing two eagles into the wild
"to live together as they were meant to be."
Ugh.
Where the heck do you get two eagles from?
I got a couple of dogs I've been putting aside
for my wedding.
I've seen your dogs.
You ain't getting married for a long time.
Okay.
Dogs don't have to be a part of the ceremony.
You give in way too easily.
I want dogs, cats, birds,
even your relatives at the wedding [chuckling].
Pretty soon I'll be the one
talking about letting eagles loose into the wild.
Something stupid like that.
[low spiritual flute music]
It's not that stupid.
[low spiritual flute music]
♪ continues
I didn't want to come back.
Now I don't want to leave.
But I have wars to end,
lives to save and
things to make.
WILLIAM: Mitzi, time to go!
Get Mom ready!
You ready?
I'm ready.
She's ready!
Oh.
Ooh boy. Oh.
Is this that coat rinky dink what's his name gave you?
That is.
I don't need it.
That'll keep you warm on the boat.
This hat is comfortable.
How's it look?
Fabulous.
You'll be my first model.
It's been a long time since I've been off this island.
I'll get to see my grandchildren.
Pass me my walkman.
You know, this is one of the best gifts
anybody's ever given me.
Yep, Michael Ojibway's become my new best friend.
Michael Ondaatje, Ma, Ondaatje.
Read me something, Mitzi.
I need to hear another voice.
No, they're waiting.
They can wait.
[soft instrumental]
ANNABELLE: I think [ sighs]
I need a little wiener sandwich anthology.
You want me to read to you?
Might as well.
I've got nothing to lose.
[soft guitar strumming]
♪ continues
I miss him, Mitzi.
Me too.
The foreign city.
I was a stranger that summer.
I thought I would die.
The beach.
The sky lost their familiar skin.
I lay naked.
[laughing]
On the cool floor to bring back my humanity.
ANNABELLE: We'll be waiting for you, Mitzi Bearclaw.
Wasn't that fun?
Yeah, it was.
WILLIAM: We are always here for you.
["Another Way" by Gunner Jules]
♪ continues