Edge of the Knife (2018) User Reviews

A success

[d-silveyra · 8/10 · 1 December 2018]

This is a successful telling of a Haida folk legend - it effectively brings to life and adds emotional depth to what would seem to the outsider as just a simple myth.

The performances are good, though the dialogue feels quite formal and a bit artificial in its pauses and slowness; I get the impression that that this is from the challenge of a script in a language that is almost extinct. The most effective scenes, from an acting perspective, occur when there is little dialogue and more body language.

The script is very well written and focused on telling a simple story.

Art and set design, cinematography...the actual visual portraying of this world is a triumph. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to observe the Haida people's traditions in their beautiful home.

edge of the knife-Stunning

[Maryjnberry · 8/10 · 16 June 2021]

This is a believable story about the natives of Haida Gwaii. I'd like to see more stories and depictions of indigenous peoples and their way of life, prior to the invasion of Europeans and British to the Americas. We know the impact of how the indigenous peoples suffered diseases passed on by the settlers, and violence and murder were inevitable between the indigenous and pilgrims/settlers in their new country, one of which they claimed as "uninhabited" and therefore theirs; in other words "finders keepers" with no remorse over consequences becoming indignant if they fought back, resulted in the loss of life on both sides. It's reverberated over hundreds of generations to the present day. History can be made interesting in this way, palatable to all those studying history.

Awesome film!

[LaxFan94 · 7/10 · 4 July 2020]

As with any other Native films, I saw this one as one of a kind in that it's the first film dedicated to the traditional people of Haida Gwaii. The film is based on the story of how the Bookwus or the Wild Man of the Woods came to be. I've always known about the Bookwus, but I never knew how Bookwus came to be. Still a good story. The action was a little dull, but the plot was well established.

But I think what would have made for a more engaging plot if the first British settlers dropped in and caused their colonial havoc in the village? For example, the British first arrived in BC at around the mid-1700s. A great plot would depict the conflicts that arose from the genocide caused by the British. In fact, I think this film can be made into a series based on this premise of how the British pillaged the Haida people and their villages.

Anyway, this film earns a 7 out of 10.

Stunning, harrowing

[herman_alex · 10/10 · 29 October 2019]

A fantastic modern retelling of an indigenous story, set on stunning Haida Gwaii island off the west coast of Canada. Perfect pacing and some breathtaking scenes throughout. The ending is something of a surprise, when compared to the usual Hollywood fare of Good Guy kills Bad Guy. Here the outcome is through community trials and practice. Wow.

Beautiful love letter to the Haida language and culture

[lisahall-60505 · 10/10 · 14 September 2018]

SGaawaay K'uuna (Edge of the Night) is the first feature film entirely in the Haida language. The filmmakers hope to use the film as an educational tool to encourage fluency - there are currently less than 25 fluent Haida speakers in the world. Crafted from a popular story, SGaawaay K'uuna is set in 19th century Haida Gwaii. Adiits'ii is charming and carefree and his recklessness causes a horrific tragedy. Tormented by what he has done, evil spirits are able to enter his body and transform him into Gaagiixid, a devouring supernatural being.

From the depictions of everyday, pre-colonial life to Adiits'ii's horrifying transformation and his family's generosity and forgiveness, this film takes an oral history and makes it into a beautiful, multifaceted film. If you don't get a chance to catch it at TIFF, SGaawaay K'uuna is the closing film for next month's imagineNATIVE film festival. I guarantee this film will be in Canada's Top Ten in January. It's so important. Please watch it.

Very engaging

[matahari20-1 · 9/10 · 12 January 2022]

I watched this on Shudder which is supposedly a horror genre network. Although it has quite a lot of bloodiness in it (not gore), it really falls into the genre of serious human drama.

I have not heard of the Haida culture. I am from the other side of the world and I was trying to guess whose culture this belonged to, thinking possibly Polynesian. So it has been quite educational for me.

This is a beautifully filmed story about community, community fracture, loss of life but also loss of identity, both individual and communal. And it's about restoration.

I was entranced into the story of these people like a witness in a dream. The cinematic story-telling and character development, despite minimal dialogue, evokes empathy for all involved in this tragedy. There is horror, but of a more human kind. Living with guilt for something seemingly unforgivable, and the loss of human connection that comes with that. Where is there to go except to a place of isolation and madness, where no amount of pain inflicted by self or other, brings relief, justice or healing?

Some very poignant moments along the way and at least one laugh out loud scene involving an older member of the clan being pushed by a female elder (whom I assume was his wife), to go deliver some wisdom.

I hope this film gets the attention and accolades it deserves.

Haida Gwaii

[kristy1622 · 10/10 · 15 September 2018]

You missed a lot of cast members William Russ ,Tyler York ,Diane Brown ,Erica Ryan, Xiila And a lot more I loved this film it was very heart warming listing to the language

A Powerful Film

[solvason-pastuch · 9/10 · 8 April 2021]

A powerful film, with a meaningful story set against an incredible landscape. An example of what madness could look like.

Anyone who rates this a 1 or a 2 just does not get the film on any level. This is not an action film, a sci fi film or a horror film. It is about ancient Haida lore.

To appreciate the movie, learn about the culture. Go visit the people. We did and the film now seems very "normal".