The Journey Home
Brendan Preston & Joe Douglas, Laser Wolf Films
Language: English
Based On: Original Screenplay
Project Type: Feature Film (Scripted)
Genre: Drama
Stage of Development: Pre Development
Estimated Length (minutes): 90
Director: Douglas Joe
Director Bio:
Douglas Joe (DJ) is a White River First Nations member from Beaver Creek, Yukon and is amongst the Territory's most promising emerging filmmakers. He is a co-founder of the recently launched production company Laser Wolf Films Inc. which was twice awarded the Available Film Festival "Made in The North Award" for DJ's short films "Datrin" and "The Fast & The Fu(rc)ious". "Datrin" went on to win the "Made in The Yukon Award" at the Dawson City International Short Film Festival, screen at ImagineNative, LA Skins, Tromso, and was showcased on CBC Short Film Face-Off. He has won the Yukon 48 Hr Film Competition Audience Choice Award multiple times for his films BFF: Big Foot Friend (2019) and SMASH! (2020). DJ recently was completed the ImagineNative Story Editor program and attended the Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop hosted by the International Sami Film Institute in Norway. In addition to directing award winning short films and servicing corporate clients, DJ teaches Indigenous youth filmmaking skills throughout the Yukon, inspiring the next generation of Indigenous storytellers.
Total Budget: TBD
Percent Confirmed: 0%
Currency: $ CAD
What is this project seeking?
Co-production Partner
Logline:
A First Nations father takes his distant teenage daughter on an extensive cross-country road trip to attend a family memorial potlatch, determined to rebuild their bond and reclaim their shared heritage.
Synopsis:
Dustin arrives at his ex-wife Jenn's house, anxious to see his distant teenage daughter, Rayne. He proposes an impromptu cross-country road trip to the Yukon for his father’s memorial potlatch. Jenn reluctantly agrees after a brief dispute at a local Pow Wow, where an Elder advises Dustin that a child needs both parents to find true balance. Rayne is highly reluctant to go, viewing Dustin as an absent stranger.
They set off from Calgary in Dustin's unreliable van. To force engagement, Dustin establishes a strict "no cellphones" rule and teaches Rayne how to read a traditional paper map as they travel towards Banff. At their first campsite, emotional tension peaks. Rayne expresses deep hurt over Dustin's historic absence, and Dustin vulnerably admits that past trauma and youthful drinking caused his detachment. Though silent, a softening Rayne leaves an emotional diary page on his seat.
The ice thaws as they play games on the highway toward Smithers. At a truck stop, Dustin shares a silent, knowing nod of connection with a group of First Nations hunters, sparking Rayne's curiosity. He gives her a pair of family-patterned beaded slippers made by her aunt, advising her to ignore the ignorance of prejudiced onlookers nearby.
In Smithers, they visit Uncle Mike, who takes them to a world-class fishing spot. Dustin helps Rayne catch her first fish, and they bond back at the house while cleaning and cooking it. After Rayne goes to bed, Dustin admits to Mike his immense guilt over missing his daughter's childhood, blaming his own father's historical harshness on the legacy of residential schools.
Continuing north, they fix a flat tire together and bond further at the Watson Lake Sign Forest, playing tag among the posts. However, a major setback occurs at a backyard party hosted by Dustin's friend, Eddie. Swept up by old buddies, Dustin breaks his sobriety and drinks a beer. A frantic Rayne finds him and explodes in anger, calling him a failure and demanding to go home. Dustin tearfully apologizes, admitting his fear of losing her while trying to break a vicious cycle. Rayne softens, and they comfort each other.
Re-establishing his commitment, Dustin drives them to his late father's cabin in Klukshu, where they are welcomed by Aunt Marianne. At the emotional one-year memorial potlatch, Rayne nervously reads a poem she wrote on the road about family and bridges, earning moving applause. She is traditionally gifted her ancestral name, formally integrating into her heritage. Finally, at the airport, an emotional Rayne hugs Dustin, tells him she loves him, and promises to see him for her birthday before boarding her flight home.
Contact Information: Brendan@laserwolffilms.com, douglaswjo3@gmail.com
