Canadian Premiere
When a Queer Native person sees a Non-Native person wearing a ceremonial headdress, they retreat into their mind to find the perfect response. Thoughtful, funny and dynamic storytelling about the challenges of a person who must marshal all his identities when faced with an act of racism and cultural appropriation. The film is heavily reliant on acting, and the lead, also the director, does a marvelous job in his multiple role performances. The variance in how each identity is lit and shot also helps make each character more distinct. This is a thoughtful and funny way to bring to life the internal debates one may have around an immediate decision and the humorous conflicts that can exist in our subconscious.
As a Queer and Native filmmaker, I focus on creating stories that help uplift Indigenous and LGBTQ2S communities. I strive to make comedic films that don’t fall into the trauma tropes so often found with past native media.
Taietsarón:sere ’Tai’ Leclaire
Community Partner
Taietsarón:Sere Leclaire, Sami Griffith, Rachel Mckay Steele, Sean Reidy, Austin Pohlen
USA
2022
English
Indigenous & Community Access
Credits
Producer
David Spadora
Screenwriter
Taietsarón:Sere ’Tai’ Leclaire, David Spadora
Cinematography
David Spadora, Robert Hunter
Editor
David Spadora
Original Music
Ahyoka Saas
Director
Taietsarón:sere ‘Tai’ Leclaire
Taietsarón:sere ‘Tai’ Leclaire is a Native American actor, comedian, writer. His short film Headdress that he wrote, directed, and starred in will premiere at the 2023 Sundance. He was a Story Editor and actor on the NBC comedy series Rutherford Falls by Mike Schur, Ed Helms, and Sierra Teller-Ornelas. Tai has been selected as a member of the 2022 Sundance Native Lab and was recently awarded The Indigenous list in Partnership with The Black List. He is a former house performer at Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre. He’s also performed at festivals around the country.