[Muffled voice on radio] [Insects buzzing] [Birds chirping] [Wind blowing, muffled rumbling sound] Policeman on radio: Let's go.
Come on.
Get 'em... Aah!
Let me go!
Young Bezhig: Let me go!
Young Bezhig: Leave me alone!
[Indistinct transmission on radio] [Lighter clicks] [Music playing on radio] [Wind gusting] [Girl crying] [Music continues on radio] [Vehicle approaches, then recedes] [Indistinct conversations] Woman: You need a refill on anything, honey?
I'm good.
You doing OK?
Is there someone I can call?
-I'm fine.
-Oh, honey.
Housekeeper: Let me know if you need anything.
Policeman: Ma'am!
No!
Jesus Christ.
Patti: Let go.
Let go!
Let go of my hand... No, Mom!
Mom!
Patti: No, no!
No!
No!
[Door shuts] Woman: Just one, really quick.
Smile!
[Muffled voice on radio] [Cars approaching, then receding] Adele: Is there something that you would like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Rosenblum, Bezhig?
Young Bezhig: Are you going to be my mom and dad?
[Sniffling] Bezhig: You're a criminal, Mom!
You're a criminal!
[Indistinct chatter] [Footsteps] Miss Rosenblum.
The receptionist said you've been waiting a while to see me?
Yup.
[Phone ringing] How have you been?
Not good.
Is there something I can help you with, Miss Rosenblum?
-Yeah, maybe.
-Look.
I'm going to talk to you, but don't-- [Breathing shakily] You're in my office.
Well, you told me not to come to your house.
You need to lower your voice.
Please sit.
You don't seem well.
I'm not.
Miss Rosenblum, I appreciate you're upset.
Many adoptees are when they find out they can't access their files, but you cannot come in here and yell or be unpleasant.
I'm wondering.
Did you think it was funny?
To call my motel and give me, like, little pieces of the information that I wanted?
Was that funny to you?
I'd like to know, Where is my twin brother, who I didn't even remember was my twin?
And where's my mother?
My whole family, both families, are fucked up.
And all the things I thought I knew about my life are lies.
My family, back in Montreal...
I'm not talking to them.
And my family here in Regina, I don't know them.
Not really.
And I'll probably never really feel like they're my real family.
[Whispering] You can't tell anyone, I mean anyone, that I'm talking to you.
You're not talking to me.
This is-- it's not legal.
I could lose my job.
Your job?
What?
What?
Look, the whole thing... it was hard to know what to do.
How do you sleep at night?
[Sighs] Niizh was adopted into a family in North Dakota.
I drove him down myself.
Where?
It was near Williston.
It was a farming family, Thompson Dairy.
And your mother, I don't know.
I can't help you with that.
[Sighs] I've applied for a job in public housing.
I'm hoping to move on from this department.
I am sorry.
If-- I am sorry if I-- Esther.
Yeah?
What?
Good luck in public housing.
[Camera flash charging] [Man speaking Indigenous language] ["Hey, Little Bird" by Buffy Sainte-Marie playing] Hey, Little Bird, I remember you You, with your dreams up higher than you could fly Hey, I remember you Hey, Little Bird Lost in the summer sun Those were the days when your feathers were new And I remember you Little Bird Now it's all comin' back The whole world is your habitat But more than that, if we meet again Will you know me?
So, Little Bird Flash your colors and I will say Glide into time with the moon on your wing Little Bird Little Bird Little Bird Like a gull on the sea Your resting place could be Heaven Or countless oceans far from me [Bezhig exhales] [Phone line ringing] Operator: Operator.
How can I help you?
Yeah, hi.
I'm looking for a number in North Dakota.
Operator: OK. What's the name, please?
For Thompson Dairy?
Operator: Do you have a city?
Near Williston.
Operator: I only have an address for Thompson Farm and Dairy.
Do you want that?
Yeah, sure.
Operator: It's 27911 53rd... Williston... [Tuning radio stations] ["Spirit Child" by Willie Thrasher playing] Bezhig: Thank you.
Spirit child, where you going to?
Spirit child, can I go with you?
In the end, stroll through the end of life In the end, stroll through the end of life Hey, yanga, yanga Yanga-- [Turns off radio] Bezhig: Hi.
Woman: Hi.
I'm looking for the Thompsons.
Well, you found 'em.
Is there a Niizh Thompson here?
He was a boy... adopted by the Thompson family.
Oh, Henry.
Right, yeah, Niizh.
Are you his family member?
Well, officially speakin', I'd be his sister.
Oh.
So am I.
Of course you are.
-Is he here?
-No, afraid not.
Well, he took off on us as soon as he turned 16.
Haven't seen him since.
If there's anything you can give me, uh, to help me find him?
It would be really great to have it.
I know he's in a band.
He is?
He sent us his cassette.
I can give it to ya.
OK.
I can show you where he slept.
-Yeah.
-Ye--oh, no.
No, hon.
Not in the house.
Come on.
I'll show ya.
And your mom and dad adopted him?
Mm-hmm.
Well, they didn't really think of it like adopting a son.
He was more of a hired hand.
He had to have been about 8 or 9 by the time he came to us.
You know, I didn't really think about it much at the time.
Seemed normal, but...
I look back on it now, and I think... it must've been very lonely for that boy.
[Dog barking] Woman: You know, I gotta admit to ya, I didn't really pay much attention to him at all.
I hardly talked to him.
This is it?
[Engine starts] [Knocking rhythm] [Man vocalizing] When the wind cries in the night And darkness fills the sky I'm always here with you Close your eyes and hear the sea A river flowin' strong I'm always here with you And waves will crash, and trees will shake And hold on until morning breaks [Man vocalizing on recording] [Turns down music] That part Mom used to sing to us.
There's a number here.
Maybe I could call his manager.
Phone's right there.
Woman: Hello?
Bezhig: Hi.
I'm looking for one of your artists.
Uh, Niizh Thompson?
Woman: Is this for a gig?
Bezhig: Well, how do-- how do I reach him?
Woman: I don't like it when girls call here for him.
[Bezhig chuckling] Uh, no, I'm a family member of his.
Woman: From North Dakota?
No.
Canada.
-You're his real family?
-Yeah.
Woman: Uh, I don't know where he is, but we're comin' to Canada in a few weeks.
Selkirk?
You're coming to Selkirk in a few weeks?
Woman: Yeah.
That's not too far.
Woman: We're playing at a bar called the Windsor Hotel.
You should come.
Bezhig: Well, I'm here with his brother.
We can go together.
Leo: No, I can't.
Woman: Well, I'll track him down and let him know you called.
Uh, OK.
Thanks.
Yvonne: This is important, Leo.
Go meet your brother.
Woman: You still there?
I'll call you back in a few days.
Thank you.
Woman: Sounds good.
Yvonne: Leo, we're gonna be fine here.
You gotta go.
Please, Leo.
Yvonne: He hasn't left since we had the kids.
Leo: I'll call you from the hotel.
And we'll ride back tomorrow.
Yvonne: Oh, come on.
Child: Bye, Daddy!
Bye, Auntie!
Leo: Bye.
Child 2: Bye!
Leo: I'll see you.
Child 1: Bring us presents!
I'm gonna miss you!
Leo: I'm gonna miss you, too.
I love you.
Bye, Auntie!
Bye, Daddy!
[Leo sighs] We're gonna be OK. Man: Light my heart And pull me in tight And board this train And sit by my side With you I'm home It doesn't matter the road It doesn't matter the route The unknown With you I'm home [Audience cheering] When the shade's drawn On a magic hour sun I'll still love you Till my day is done I'll still love you Till my day is done [Crowd cheering] [Crowd whistling] Woman: We're gonna take a 15-minute break, and we'll be back with our latest single, "All I Want."
[Crowd cheering] Niizh: This is fuckin' crazy.
Bezhig: Hi.
[Chuckling] Hi.
This is our older brother Leo.
-Hi, Niizh.
-Leo.
Hi.
It's been a while.
Wow, this is-- This whole show I was tryin' to figure out which ones were you.
[Bezhig chuckling] Would you like a beer?
No, I'm OK, thank you.
Would you-- would you like to drink with your long-lost brother?
Yeah.
Great.
Niizh: Guys!
Guys!
This is my sister!
Man: No way.
Becky: Hi.
I'm Becky.
We talked on the phone!
Is that your brother over there?
Man: What's his problem?
Bezhig: Oh, he's fine.
He just doesn't drink.
Niizh: Let's do a shot, sister.
-Yeah.
-You probably need it.
Bezhig: I guess I do.
Man: Let's fuckin' party.
[Spectator whistling] Niizh: Cheers.
Man: Cheers.
The children's eyes are filled with red and blue I remember the time, it was Veterans Day [Cheering] And the feeling of never leaving that place And all I want is a home tonight All I need is a place of light Home tonight In arms so tight And all I want is a home tonight [Cheering and applause] You want another beer?
Yeah.
Sure.
Come on.
Woman: He's spending all this time with her.
Woman 2: Hey.
You gonna smoke that?
Gimme one.
Woman 3: Niizh, over here!
[Chuckles] [Indistinct] [Indistinct] [Indistinct chatter] No, no.
I don't wanna go.
[Person whistling] Leo: I got you.
[Vehicle running] Nope, this way, this way.
Bezhig: I wanna stay.
Leo: Well, you'll see him in the morning, OK?
Bezhig: I don't wanna wait till-- [Vomiting] Leo: Uh-huh.
[Knock on door] Hello?
We wanted to say good-bye.
We're driving back, so... Sure, yeah.
Maybe we should come back later?
This doesn't seem like a good time.
Why wouldn't this be a good time?
It's my fuckin' life.
Uh, I just meant that we shouldn't have come so early.
That's all.
Uh, that's not what you meant.
You think I'm a fuck-up.
OK, cool it.
No.
I'm sorry.
We'll just come back later.
You don't even fuckin' know me.
All right.
Let's go.
Bezhig: No, Leo, I'm fine.
Niizh: Oh, big fuckin' protector now, huh?
Leo: Let's go.
Niizh: Look at me when I'm fuckin' talkin' to you!
Bezhig: Leo!
Leo!
Aah!
Leo!
What did you do that for?
Leo: Fuck, OK, Niizh, listen-- just wait, wait, wait, wait--[grunting] Leo: Niizh!
[Niizh grunting] [Leo yelling, Bezhig screaming] Leo: Stop!
Niizh: Fuck you!
Leo: Just stop, OK?
Bezhig: Stop!
Leo: Wait!
Wait, Niizh!
Niizh: Fuck you, fuck you, fuck-- [Leo grunting, Niizh yelling] [Leo grunts, bottle smashing] [Men grunting] Bezhig: Stop!
Leo!
Niizh!
Leo: Wait!
[Niizh growling] [Both growling] Fuck you!
Niizh, stop!
[Men grunting] Leo!
[Niizh panting] Leo: Let's go.
Come on.
[Niizh grunts] You wanna go to the hospital?
No.
I've spent my whole life... protecting my family from that shit.
Leo...
I wanna go back.
He doesn't want anyone.
He made that clear.
What the fuck do you think is gonna happen?
I don't know.
[Exhales] [Indistinct conversations] [Music playing, muffled] Niizh: What?
Who is it?
[Sighs] It's just me.
I'm so sorry.
Say sorry and you'll get your way?
Sorry.
Is that what they teach you in private school?
Fuck it.
Come in.
[Groans] Actually...
I don't know what to say.
I didn't know what to do.
Niizh.
[Niizh sighs] [Sighs] [Bottle clinks] [Exhales] [Sighs] Wanna go bowling?
[Chuckling] What?
[Bowling ball strikes pins] Niizh: Can I get two beers?
Man: Yeah, for sure.
Want one?
-No, I'm good.
-You sure?
-Hmm, I'm OK. -Come on.
Niizh: Hold it like a softball.
And you gotta, you know, have the positioning there.
You know, feet shoulder-length, like this.
Watch.
Ah, yes!
Your turn.
I'm gonna... Ah!
Niizh: Yeah!
Go, Niizh, it's your birthday Go, Niizh Oh, oh, oh.
Game point right here.
Bezhig: Whoo!
[Laughs] Have you bowled before?
Or you have bowled before and you're just shit at it?
I used to bowl with my youth group, but the balls were much bigger.
What the fuck is a youth group?
[Laughing] I have that smile.
What?
I--I just noticed that, yeah.
We do have the same smile.
Almost like we're twins.
[Chuckling] Niizh: I'm gonna go grab more beers.
You want one?
I don't normally drink that much.
Neither do I.
[Chuckles] [Chuckles] So, how come you're not famous?
[Chuckles] What?
Your music's so good.
Pfft.
How many famous Indians do you know?
I'm fine with where I'm at.
Road life.
Touring.
Girls.
Could I come with you?
On tour?
I'm serious.
I can be your assistant.
You're not really road material.
Really?
Could I come with you?
Just for a few days.
-No.
-But you and I, we could spend more time together.
We could-- What the fuck is it with you?
How come you're all over me?
You were always like this... like, when we were kids.
Weren't you?
All bossy and shit.
[Chuckles] [Vehicles approaching and receding] [Chuckles] I'm a shithead.
I know.
That's the one thing I kind of remember about you.
[Laughs] [Chuckles] Niizh: What time is your bus?
Bezhig: 5:00.
I guess I should get a room.
Why?
To sleep in it.
Just stay up.
[Chuckling] I'll stay up with you.
[Train whistle blowing in distance] I went to North Dakota.
Saw the farm.
Met your sister.
Shit.
She showed me where you slept.
[Chuckling] You didn't deserve that.
[Sighing] It was fine.
It's better than all the other places.
I don't know.
I try not to think about all that.
All what?
[Inhales and exhales deeply] A bunch of foster homes.
There was this one lady who used to like to hit me, and...
I was 6.
She just-- [Exhales] fuckin'... what the fuck, man?
What the-- what the fuck?
[Sniffling] [Sobbing] [Dog barking in distance] I'm fucked up.
I'm fucked up, too.
[Chuckles] No, you're not.
[Laughing] [Bottle clinks] [Sighing] [Faucet running] [Faucet is shut off] [Object placed on table] Bye.
I could catch a different bus.
Go catch your bus.
I got a show in North Dakota tonight.
And you can't come.
But I love you.
Niizh: Just go.
[Door opens] [Door shuts] [Sighing] [Exhales] [Sobbing] [Breathing shakily] [Muffled rumbling sound] [Thud, tires screeching] Hey, stop!
You did that to our car?
You think that's funny?
Leave my brother alone!
Let me go!
[Rumbling noise continues] ["Mommy's Little Guy" by Fawn Wood plays] Do you know I love you so And Mommy will Never let you go To the stars And the sky You'll always be Mommy's little guy Do you know I love you so And Mommy will Never let you go [Rain] Child 1: Auntie!
Child 2: Auntie!
Bezhig: Hey.
Hi.
I'm so happy to be back.
I got you something.
This is for you, and this is for you.
Children: Thank you.
Bezhig: You're welcome.
Bezhig: Hello?
I'm back.
I should've called to let you know I was staying.
I'm sorry.
Me and Niizh stayed up all night, we spent the day, we went bowling, and... Bezhig: What?
What's wrong?
Leo: Becky called.
OK.
He's dead.
Leo: She got him to the hospital, but... she found him in his motel.
No.
Wait.
How?
Drugs.
[Sobbing] But I was just with him this morning.
Was it an accident?
Leo: Hey, hey, hey, hey.
[Weeping] [Sobbing] Man: There we are in a A sacred place It's all around Written on your face And no one knows what you Can you come?
Please?
You mean to me I need you to come.
Like fallen worlds on a dead-end street Of all the world that we'll We'll never see They say there's better things I would have to disagree Just stay Stay Please stay Won't you lay with me?
Stay with me now Whoa And all the world around me changed Fill the space inside That's killing me It's casting shadows on my My sanity And set aside your worry I need to be in certainty [Sobbing] Won't you stay?
Stay Please stay Please stay Won't you lay with me And stay with me now?
Whoa And all the world around me changed And I still miss you all the time You're grown, but you're still mine I'll be ready when they come Ready When they come Won't you stay Stay Please stay
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