Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Sugarcane

Play trailer 2:16 Poster for Sugarcane R Released Aug 9 1h 47m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning. In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.
Watch on Disney+ Stream Now

Where to Watch

Sugarcane

Sugarcane

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Accumulating immense emotional power as it methodically uncovers a grave injustice, Sugarcane is one of the most compelling and important documentaries of the year.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (54) Critics Reviews
Tara Brady Irish Times The damaged, rising community depicted in Sugarland are in no mood for apologies. They want accountability. Rated: 4/5 Sep 28, 2024 Full Review Wendy Ide Observer (UK) It’s a remarkably courageous and exposed work, particularly for co-director Julian Brave NoiseCat and his father, Ed Archie NoiseCat, whose painful journey together in search of healing is the film’s spine. Rated: 4/5 Sep 23, 2024 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Deeply disquieting and indeed enraging. Rated: 4/5 Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Calum Baker Radio Times With its blend of documentary styles and its skilful journalistic structure, this is a difficult but remarkably clear-eyed film. Rated: 4/5 Dec 21, 2024 Full Review Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews The atrocities perpetuated upon Canada's indigenous is yet another stain on a Catholic Church which has covered up the sexual crimes of priests around the world and allowed the abuse and deaths of single women in Ireland's notorious Magdalene Laundries. Rated: B+ Nov 26, 2024 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson San Francisco Examiner It defies more traditional documentary techniques. There are conversations rather than interviews. There is reporting, but no hard findings. It never flinches from horror, but it also knows how to find wonder. Rated: 4/4 Sep 30, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (50) audience reviews
lynne c Great storytelling of a too well hidden history. So impressed with the film makers and stars of the film- such courage and vulnerability Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/30/24 Full Review Juan Aninao This moving film educated us about a type of facility we never knew existed, and exposed the evil committed by the Catholic priests and nuns who ran these schools where Native American children who had been ripped away from their families and who had placed their trust in these new caretakers were horribly betrayed. It is a must-see film for anyone who cares about protecting not only childrens rights, but all human rights. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/24 Full Review david m What a powerful film and an untold story. So sad that the church and leaders of these Residential Schools continue to do what they did. And how sad that it has impacted the lives of these children, and then as they became adults, impacted their own children. When will the cycle stop? Such a powerful film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/18/24 Full Review Vanessa M The stories of survivors lingered in my thoughts long after watching "Sugarcane." This documentary takes a deep dive into the painful legacy left by the Catholic Church's treatment of Indigenous peoples in North America. The raw and emotional narratives are not just historical accounts; they highlight the ongoing struggles that continue today, particularly with the last residential school closing in 1997. Viewing it on a streaming platform, I found myself grappling with uncomfortable truths about our shared history and the injustices faced by First Nations communities. "Sugarcane" transcends the typical documentary format; it is a vital confrontation with our past that demands reflection and understanding. Essential viewing for anyone interested in justice and historical accountability. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review Erik G As the credits rolled on "Sugarcane," the haunting stories of survivors echoed in my mind, leaving a lasting impression. This documentary takes you on a profound emotional journey, shedding light on the painful legacy of the Catholic Church's treatment of Indigenous peoples in North America. The raw narratives shared are not mere historical accounts; they reveal the ongoing struggles that persist today, particularly with the last residential school closing in 1997. Watching it on a streaming platform, I was confronted with uncomfortable truths about our collective history and the injustices faced by First Nations communities. "Sugarcane" is not just a documentary; it’s a crucial confrontation with our past that demands attention and reflection. Essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand these historical injustices. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review Collin B The haunting stories of survivors resonated deeply with me as I watched "Sugarcane." This documentary takes you on a profound emotional journey, exposing the painful legacy of the Catholic Church's treatment of Indigenous peoples in North America. The raw narratives shared are not just echoes of the past; they highlight the ongoing struggles and suffering that persist today, especially with the last residential school closing in 1997. Viewing it on a streaming platform, I was compelled to confront uncomfortable truths about our collective history and the injustices faced by First Nations communities. "Sugarcane" is more than just a documentary; it’s a necessary confrontation with our past that demands attention and reflection. This film is essential for anyone who seeks to understand and acknowledge the impact of these historical injustices. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Sugarcane

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Another Body 91% 80% Another Body Watchlist Fathom 58% 38% Fathom Watchlist TRAILER for Fathom 16 Shots 88% 83% 16 Shots Watchlist The Grab 81% 100% The Grab Watchlist Aftershock 100% 54% Aftershock Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning. In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.
Director
Emily Kassie, Julian Brave NoiseCat
Producer
Emily Kassie, Kellen Quinn
Distributor
National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co
Kassie Films, Impact Partners, Fit Via Vi Film Productions, Hedgehog Films
Rating
R
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 9, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 10, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$106.2K
Runtime
1h 47m
Most Popular at Home Now