2022 CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine and that love heals all wounds. However, the Peskotomuhkati people of North America have found a new way to heal themselves–and it’s a practice that has gone on for generations. Atasikuwi-pisun is the practice of tattoo medicine, and these people have been using it for years as a method of healing. Weckuwapasihtit (Those Yet to Come) aims to express the ins and outs of this age-old practice, as younger generations look to inspire future generations to continue what their ancestors started.
Tattoos are becoming more and more mainstream throughout the world; and athletes, actors, and even public figures can be seen sporting ink. However, even as tattoos become more and more popular, there are still groups that find them repulsive and/or unacceptable. There are a number of reasons why people feel the way they do about tattoos, but regardless of their feelings, they are still becoming more prominent in society. Weckuwapasihtit (Those Yet to Come) want to make these things more acceptable around the world, and they use their heritage to streamline the process and shed light on the importance of this art form.
There’s no doubt a message lies somewhere beneath the surface of this documentary, but it’s not obvious what that message is until you begin looking deeper. On the surface we all see the subjects on screen passionate about continuing the practice of Atasikuwi-pisun, but beneath the surface is a message of accepting yourself and the people around you. Weckuwapasihtit (Those Yet to Come) does a wonderful job of expressing these sentiments, even if they are slightly hidden beneath the narrative.
Weckuwapasihtit (Those Yet to Come) is incredibly straightforward in terms of the delivery by the film’s subjects. As the individuals tell the world about their experiences and their intentions, they present their information in a matter-of-fact fashion–and while this makes the film easy to follow, it also makes it a bit difficult to enjoy. The film is far from boring, and I hope my words aren’t misconstrued–but the fact that it’s so straightforward, with little in terms of excitement, it becomes difficult to remain focused. With that being said, it seems apparent that Writer-Directors Geo Neptune and Brianna Smith know that their content can’t be stretched too far. They keep their film short and incredibly concise–making the film more tolerable and much easier to access.
I believe that Weckuwapasihtit (Those Yet to Come) has the ability to reach a wide-ranging audience, but it struggles to be emotional enough for everyone to buy in. It, again, focuses on simply presenting viewers with a specific point of view, intentionally without ever being electric or energetic. The entirely too simplistic nature of the film almost becomes overwhelming, and it becomes a challenge to remain focused; however, Weckuwapasihtit (Those Yet to Come) knows what it wants to be, and it's successful in being just that–informative and transformative to those willing to give it a chance.
Directed by Geo Neptune & Brianna Smith.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
