You Nearly Missed: First-ever Indigenous heist movie “The Great Salish Heist” has its Vancouver premiere

by Vicki Duong on April 17th, 2024 at 9:38 AM

1 of 3 2 of 3

What’s there not to love about a heist movie?

The Great Salish Heist, billed as the first-ever Indigenous heist film, screens tonight (April 17) at the VIFF Centre in celebration of National Canadian Film Day.

This film marks the writer-director debut of Shuswap (Secwépemc) actor Darrell Dennis and explores the topic of cultural colonialism. The Great Salish Heist follows the story of Steve, an archeologist nearing rock bottom who believes he can change the trajectory of his life by reclaiming the artifacts of the (fictional) Moquahat people from the local museum with the help of rebels.

The movie, which was filmed on Vancouver Island, stars Dennis, as well as Tricia Helfer, Graham Greene, Ashley Callingbull, Andrea Menard, and Craig Lauzon.

Following its opening tonight, the film will begin a theatrical run at the VIFF Centre starting on April 26.