Peachland is set to be the backdrop for a short feature film about N鈥檟axaitk鈥檞, known to many as the Ogopogo.

Asia Youngman wrote the script and will be directing the short fantasy thriller about an Indigenous teen as she navigates peer pressure, bullying and identity.

The story is set in 鈥�80s Peachland, where the protagonist is pressured to search for N鈥檟axaitk鈥檞, who is said to live in a cave below Rattlesnake Island, across the water from the town.

Here, the film will explore themes of identity as the young woman comes into herself, Youngman said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like an homage to some Steven Spielberg movies set in the 鈥�80s along with some of my own experiences growing up,鈥� she said.

Some of those experiences, she said, included some of her Okanagan friends scaring each other and daring each other to find the Ogopogo.

鈥淚 think I was just fascinated about it at that age, that mystery around it and that imagination you have as a younger person.鈥�

She said part of the reason she wanted to set the stage in the 鈥�80s is to change the narrative a bit.

鈥淲e hardly see films from that time period that don鈥檛 show Indigenous characters who are only experiencing trauma and hardship.

鈥淚 wanted this film to have a nostalgic tone, but I also wanted to address larger issues as well.鈥�

READ MORE:

Youngman said throughout the writing process, she consulted with Coralee Miller from Westbank First Nation. While Youngman is Indigenous, Youngman is not from an Okanagan nation, and she wanted to create a story that is accurate and respectful of the Syilx people.

鈥淭here have been a lot of films made about the Ogopogo, but none of them have actually been from an Indigenous perspective,鈥� she said.

鈥淭he film addresses a serious subject matter but for me, it also shows an Indigenous character who has universal experiences, so I think many people will be able to relate to those experiences.鈥�

And while filming takes place, local Indigenous youth interested in the many facets of filmmaking will have a chance to take a peek and receive some guidance from the crew on site.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to give back to communities, especially because I鈥檓 going into a community that鈥檚 not my own,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important that we have opportunities like this for youth who aren鈥檛 in large cities鈥� I just wanted to offer this to the Syilx youth and give back to this community.鈥�

Filming in Peachland is scheduled for June 24 to 28. If you are interested in the mentorship program, you can email the production crew at cvl@blackfootnationfilms.com.

Youngman said the goal is to finish the film by September and should be available online after.

READ MORE:

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .