Tickets for the NWT premiere of The Revenant, which marks Fort Simpson actress Melaw Nakehk’o’s Hollywood debut, have sold out.
The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will be given the full red-carpet treatment at Yellowknife’s Capitol Theatre from 5:30pm on Friday, January 8.
Dehcho Dene/Denesuline actress Nakehk’o and First Nations actor Duane Howard, who appears alongside her in the movie, will attend Friday’s event – which features a panel discussion following a screening of the film.
In a news release, event organizer Mandee McDonald said: “We really wanted to use this as an opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of Indigenous artists in the film industry, while also creating a space for dialogue around some important reallife issues that are likely portrayed in the film, like settler-colonialism and systemic violence against Indigenous women.”
Read: NWT star of The Revenant makes Hollywood red carpet debut
Film critics have noted the movie’s intense scenes of graphic and sometimes sexual violence. Organizers say a counsellor will be available at the cinema on Friday.
According to the news release, an afterparty at Top Knight will feature “a Revenant-themed photo booth where attendees can have their photo taken among traps and furs”.
The event is supported by the NWT Film Commission, GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment, NWT Professional Media Association, Dene Nahjo, Tides Canada Foundation, Artless Collective and Adze Studios.
From Saturday, the Capitol Theatre will show The Revenant at 7:30pm nightly with 1:30pm weekend matinees.
