Watch Edge of the Knife

Edge of the Knife is a thoughtful and moving film set in the remote Haida Gwaii archipelago off the coast of British Columbia. The first feature film to be made entirely in the endangered Haida language, it tells the story of two families torn apart by grief and how they come together to try and heal the wounds of the past. The film begins with Adiits'ii, a young Haida manservant, who has been sent from his home village to the hunting camp of his friend, Kwa, to accompany him on a hunt. When they arrive, they find that the camp has been deserted and there is no sign of Kwa or his hunting party. Before they have a chance to investigate further, they are both attacked by an unseen creature, and Adiits'ii is badly injured.

Desperately seeking help, Adiits'ii is taken back to his village by some passing fishermen. Although he has survived the attack, his injuries are serious and he requires immediate medical attention. His mother, Haida elder Gaagiixiid, is distraught and prays for the spirits to help her son.

As Adiits'ii recovers, he begins to experience strange visions and hallucinations, which he believes are being sent to him by the spirits. Although he is initially reluctant to talk about them, his mother encourages him to share his experiences, and soon the entire village is enraptured by his tales of otherworldly encounters and spiritual transformations.

As the days pass, Adiits'ii's visions become increasingly intense and vivid, and he becomes convinced that they are a sign that he has been chosen by the spirits to perform a sacred ritual known as the "wildman" ceremony. According to tradition, this ritual is meant to bring peace, healing, and reconciliation to the village, but it also requires Adiits'ii to undergo a grueling physical and spiritual transformation that will test his courage and faith to the limit.

Meanwhile, Kwa's family is mourning his loss and struggling to come to terms with the fact that he may be dead. His wife and children are inconsolable, and their grief threatens to tear them apart. When they learn that Adiits'ii was the last person to see Kwa alive, they blame him for his disappearance and demand that he reveal what happened in the hunting camp.

As tensions rise and emotions run high, Adiits'ii and Kwa's families must confront the painful truths of their shared history and work together to find a way forward. Through sacrifice, courage, and a deep reverence for the natural world, they discover that the spirits may have the power to heal even the deepest wounds and restore what has been lost.

In conclusion, Edge of the Knife is a beautifully filmed and deeply moving exploration of grief, reconciliation, and the power of tradition and spirituality to heal the wounds of the past. With its stunning natural scenery, compelling performances, and lush, evocative score, this is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Edge of the Knife is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.