Mongrel Media has released the official trailer for The Birds Who Fear Death, a powerful indie drama from Indo-Canadian filmmaker Sanjay Patel. The film, which made its debut at the 2024 Calgary and Whistler Film Festivals, is set to hit Canadian theaters on March 21, 2025, though a U.S. release date has yet to be announced.
The story follows two brothers, Adam and Ryan Spence, who are desperate to inherit their father’s estate and the family restaurant business. However, their plans take an unexpected twist when they discover that their father, William Spence, has left his estate to the Indigenous people of a remote hamlet in Northern Alberta.
Determined to claim the fortune, the brothers travel to the community, only to find it grappling with a devastating cancer crisis linked to industrial development. The brothers’ father had once supported this very development as Chief, leading to increasing tensions with the acting Chief, who holds William responsible for the environmental devastation.
As the brothers attempt to forge alliances with others in the community, their efforts falter, and the situation spirals into chaos, culminating in a tragic and transformative confrontation. The Birds Who Fear Death is a poignant exploration of identity, cultural clashes, and the emotional journey of its protagonists, delving into the complex relationship between heritage and personal ambition.
Starring Adam Beach and Simon Baker as the brothers, the film also features performances from Graham Greene, Caren Moore, and Tanaya Beatty. Critics have praised it as a thought-provoking film that captures the emotional and cultural struggles of its characters.
Directed, written, and produced by Sanjay Patel, The Birds Who Fear Death marks a significant step in his career, following his previous work on Union Leader and other short films. Fans of intimate, culturally rich dramas will want to watch out for its Canadian release later this month.
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