Prodco and distributor Cutting Class Media has boarded the feature documentary What We Carry. 

What We Carry was commissioned for CBC’s documentary Channel and delves into the interwoven stories of a grandmother who once taught at a residential school and the community she impacted.

The film is directed by Jessie Anthony and co-written by Anthony and Katrinka Scott. Producing the doc are Bracken Burns, a partner in Cutting Class and head of its scripted division, and Kathleen McDermott under their Sôhkemowin Studios shingle, a majority indigenous owned, Alberta based, production company. CBC’s documentary Channel holds the exclusive first-window rights for Canada and Cutting Class will distribute the feature internationally.

Filming began in September 2022 in Wabasca-Desmarais, Alta. on Bigstone Cree Nation. Production is expected to wrap by summer’s end.

The producers tell Playback Daily that relationship-building with the community began in 2022 and followed proper protocols with the Elders Council and the community to begin filming.

The film is financed through the Indigenous Screen Office, the Rogers Documentary Fund, the Canada Media Fund and documentary Channel.

“The story is deeply personal to me, as it explores the life of my own grandmother. It’s our hope that What We Carry will inspire introspection, understanding, and meaningful action towards healing and reconciliation,” said Burns in a statement.

“What We Carry is one of those incredibly special films that has the ability to spark conversation. We’re honoured to be a part of this project and to bring this impactful and essential story to an even wider audience” said Harriet Luke, Cutting Class’s head of unscripted.

Photo by Kristin Breitkreutz