The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open is a Canadian drama film directed by Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers. The movie follows Áila, a young Indigenous woman who encounters Rosie, a troubled and traumatized young woman who has just been assaulted by her boyfriend. Áila offers to help Rosie and brings her back to her own apartment, where they spend the evening talking and navigating the aftermath of the traumatic event.
As the night goes on, the two women open up to each other and share their own experiences of trauma and healing, which help them connect on a deeper level. The film explores themes of race, class, gender, and intergenerational trauma, as well as the impact of colonialism and violence on Indigenous communities.
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open is a visually striking film, shot entirely in long takes that follow the characters as they move through the streets and buildings of Vancouver's East Side. The film features powerful performances from both Tailfeathers and Violet Nelson, who plays Rosie, and has been widely praised for its sensitive portrayal of the experiences of Indigenous women. The movie premiered at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, where it was hailed as one of the best Canadian films of recent years.
