Watch We Were Children

We Were Children is a heartbreaking and powerful docudrama that tells the gut-wrenching story of two First Nations children, Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart, who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools in Canada during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The film is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a damning indictment of the Canadian government's policy of forced assimilation.

The film is divided into two parts, with the first half focusing on Lyna's experience at the school and the second half focusing on Glen's. Both children were taken from their homes at a young age and forced to attend a Catholic-run school, where they were forbidden to speak their native language or practice their culture. Instead, they were beaten, humiliated, and made to feel ashamed of their heritage. The film uses a combination of dramatic reenactments and real-life interviews with Lyna, Glen, and other survivors to paint a vivid picture of the horrors they endured.

Throughout the first half of the film, we see Lyna struggle to adapt to the harsh conditions of the school. She is repeatedly physically and sexually abused, and we watch as her spirit is gradually broken. However, she never loses hope, and her determination to survive is an inspiration to us all. Alicia Hamelin gives a raw and emotive performance as Lyna, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a complex character. We feel her pain and her anger, and by the end of the film, we are cheering her on as she takes the first steps towards healing.

The second half of the film focuses on Glen's experience at the school, and it is no less harrowing. Glen is taken from his family at an even younger age than Lyna, and we see him struggle to understand why he has been forced to leave his home. He is constantly told that his culture is worthless and that he should be ashamed of his native heritage. However, unlike Lyna, Glen refuses to give up. He channels his anger and frustration into rebellion, and we see him start to fight back against his oppressors. Glen Anaquod gives a powerful and nuanced performance, and we can feel the rage burning beneath his calm exterior.

One of the most effective elements of the film is the use of real-life interviews with survivors of the residential school system. These interviews are interspersed throughout the dramatic reenactments, and they provide a sobering reminder that the events depicted in the film were not fictional. Many of the survivors speak of the devastation the schools wrought on their families and communities, and it is impossible not to be moved by their stories.

Overall, We Were Children is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of colonialism and forced assimilation on indigenous peoples around the world. It is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about Canada's residential school system and the ongoing repercussions of these policies. While the film is difficult to watch at times, it is ultimately a story of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

We Were Children is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.