Adam K
To look at the poster, you think you are gonna see a story about a cute kid in Canada.
To know the history of the Oka crisis, you are gonna know that there is going to be a particular discomfort as that standoff was quite possibly one of the most bitter moments in the mouths of our country. The people of Oka were wrong, the more uncivil warriors were wrong and the bad actors in the Army force were wrong.
I did not however expect to see what I can only describe as a cross between Thirteen, The Diary of Anne Frank and Are You There God?, it's me Margaret.
This movie is a brilliant, but at times hard to watch story of a Mohawk girl seemingly bound to escape the world of native life in 1990 for one in higher education while also conflicted by the prospect of a friendship with April, a local hard Girl played to perfection by newcomer at the time, Paulina Alexis.
I was captivated less by the war surrounding them (there are a couple great documentaries by Alanis Obomsawin that are the GOATS of this subject and really worth a watch to better understand the history of the OKA Crisis) and more interested in the rapport between Beans (Kiawentiio) and April.
Deer does an amazing job of capturing the teenage voice and although I spent much of the movie reminding myself of why I am not a fan of the Canadian Army, I am also reminded of the many Mohawk girls I grew up with, never knowing the hardships they faced.
If Deer ever wishes to remake "The Breakfast Club", but make it about Mohawk kids, April would make an amazing Bender to Beans' Brian the Brain. . . Just putting that out there.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/09/24
Full Review
Airplane W
I had to watch this for school in English. The Movie takes place in a very interesting time in Canadian history, and is the main point of the movie, but the conflict was not explained very well, and instead the focus is on Beans, the main character who finds new friends and wants to seem cool so proceeds to dress different and drink alcohol (she is 12) and beats up a little girl. The acting is pretty shit and the writing is also bad, and most the characters are not developed enough to be compelling.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
09/22/23
Full Review
Mlyna L
I enjoyed watching Beans because it is very informative about the suffering of Indigenous people and what happened during the Oka Crisis in 1990. I think it is a good movie for those who are curious and interested in learning about Indigenous History, more specifically the one of Mohawks living in Kanehsatà:ke. While being an opportunity of learning, it is centered on a little girl nicknamed Beans who's 12 years old. While living difficult moments, she grows into become confident and standing up for who she is. As mentioned previously, it is set during the events of the Oka Crisis that lasted during 78 days in the summer of 1990.
The reason why I liked the movie is because it was authentic to the reality of the events that occurred. In the beginning of the movie when Mohawks are blocking the bridge, not letting anyone cross it, one of them yells at a driver that if they want to cross the bridge, they'll have to tell their governor to stop stealing their land and trying to kill them. All the anger in the voice of the man showed exhaustion, Indigenous have been stripped of everything they have for centuries, yet they never were violent with us unless forced to, like during the Oka Crisis. Ironically, the word savage has been used to describe Indigenous people by white folks but the uncivilized ones were white people. Throughout the movie, it is said or seen that basic necessities like food, medication and services like ambulance were blocked by the SQ. Another example would be when the Canadian Army got involved, they said women and children could evacuate safely out of the territory where the conflict happened. However, when Beans, her mom and little sister leave, they're welcomed by white people throwing rocks and other dangerous projectiles at their car while police is on the other side of the road watching and doing nothing.
In addition, as a Quebecois, it was very frustrating and confusing to watch, I cannot imagine how it must have been for an Indigenous person. Perhaps it is because I cannot grasp fully the situation, but it could have been easily avoided if they had decided to respect Mohawks when they protested because it is their land and there is a cemetery. The disrespect that has been showed towards Indigenous people during Oka Crisis is almost unbelievable, the expansion of a golf course on a regular cemetery would not even be slightly considered by anyone. Equally important, the struggles and generational trauma is shown multiple times during the movie. Indeed, towards the end, Beans almost get sexually abused by her friend's brother and after telling her friend April, she let slip out that she also get sexually abused, by her alcoholic father.
In conclusion, Beans might not be for a younger audience, but I think if anyone has the opportunity to watch it, they should, it is a very enriching experience, especially as a Quebecois. People back then failed to realize they were in the wrong by accusing Mohawk protesters instead of protesting with them, however watching this movie is a great way to reflect on Indigenous struggles and not fail to realize that Indigenous people have never been in the wrong, they protect what they have left that has still not have been stolen or destroyed by us.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
Full Review
danton m
Don't let the cover art mislead you. This is an intense look at conflict between races, but also within a young girl as she tries to find her place in a world of violence. Watch it with your kids, knowing there is a lot of profanity, but also much worth talking about with children facing the problems of today. Excellent!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Naïve and biased to fit the narrative to illicit a sympathetic reaction. It is not historically accurate and omits to mention the blockades were set up by the "warriors" and supporters.
The army being called in is proof of the threat that the militants posed to the surrounding populations of both Oka and Chateauguay.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
01/28/23
Full Review
justin w
I really wanted to like this because of the perspective and moment in history it portrays... but the acting and writing was pretty awful.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
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