Empire of Dirt

Empire of Dirt

99 mins | Drama | Nov. 22, 2013

Like many Native families, Lena Mahikan grew up in the cycle of abuse. Her father, a residential school survivor, was an alcoholic until he killed himself when Lena was 10. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, turned to the slots. By the time Lena was 15, she was pregnant and, before giving birth, was kicked to the curb by her mom. The cycle continues and Lena is now watching helplessly as her own daughter, Peeka, spirals out of control, landing herself in the hospital following a drug overdose. As a final attempt at survival, Lena decides to return home and face her own mother and a past she’s desperate to escape.

Empire of Dirt

99 mins | Drama | Nov. 22, 2013

Empire of Dirt
Like many Native families, Lena Mahikan grew up in the cycle of abuse. Her father, a residential school survivor, was an alcoholic until he killed himself when Lena was 10. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, turned to the slots. By the time Lena was 15, she was pregnant and, before giving birth, was kicked to the curb by her mom. The cycle continues and Lena is now watching helplessly as her own daughter, Peeka, spirals out of control, landing herself in the hospital following a drug overdose. As a final attempt at survival, Lena decides to return home and face her own mother and a past she’s desperate to escape.
IMDb rating 6.7
Producers Téléfilm Canada, Angel Entertainment, Canadian Film Centre (CFC), Redcloud Studios, Narrow Path Productions
Original title Empire of Dirt
Directors Karen Paterson-Bowden, Peter Stebbings
Writers Shannon Masters

Cast

Cara Gee

as Lena Mahikan

Shay Eyre

as Peeka Mahikan

Jennifer Podemski

as Minnie Mahikan

Luke Kirby

as Russell Carter

Jordan Prentice

as Warren Fensky

Michael Cram

as Doc Baker

Kate Corbett

as Wendy

Barbara Gordon

as Mrs. Armstrong

Jean Yoon

as Tess

Shannon Kook

as Angel

Jaiden Mitchell

as Little Wing

Doug Bedard

as Doug

Tonya Williams

as Sandra

Raoul Bhaneja

as Dr. Gaffney

Joris Jarsky

as Neil

Sarah Manninen

as Anna

Lawrence Bayne

as Uncle Hank

Sarah Podemski

as Charmaine

Tony Nappo

as Fisherman