Where the Spirit Lives (1989): Cast & Plot
Where the Spirit Lives is a 1989 drama directed by Bruce Pittman, starring Michelle St. John as Komi / Amelia, Clayton Julian and Ron White. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Bruce Pittman
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Atlantis Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Where the Spirit Lives About?
The premise of Where the Spirit Lives without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A moving tribute to a young First Nations girl’s courage. In 1937, Ashtecome and other children are kidnapped under a Canadian policy to erase Indigenous culture. At a boarding school she faces brutal pressure to adopt Western ways and English. A sympathetic white teacher helps, and Ashtecome—renamed Amelia—holds fast to her identity and her siblings'.
Where the Spirit Lives Themes & Keywords
· 9 tags- young
- school
- boarding school
- racism
- canada
- culture clash
- child abuse
- native american residential school
- native american
Where the Spirit Lives Cast & Characters
Michelle St. John leads the cast as Komi / Amelia, with Clayton Julian as Pita / Abraham and Ron White as Taggart. Directed by Bruce Pittman; 26 actors are credited in all.
- Director Bruce Pittman
- Michelle St. John as Komi / Amelia
- Clayton Julian as Pita / Abraham
- Ron White as Taggart
- Heather Hess as Rachel
Also Starring in Where the Spirit Lives
· 22 more- Ann-Marie MacDonald Kathleen
- Graham Greene Komi's Father
- David Hemblen Reverend Buckley
- Sam Malkin Mr. Crawford
- Patricia Collins Mrs. Barrington
- Doris Petrie Miss Weir
- Chapelle Jaffe Miss Appleby
- John Friesen Mr. Babcock
- Sarah Williams Ruth
- Marianne Jones Komi's Mother
- Barbara Wheeldon Matron
- Tina Louise Bomberry Asst. Supervisor #2
- Gus Chief Moon Ka - moos - ee
- Kim Bruisedhead Fox Anataki
- Margaret Cozry Grandmother
- Marge Fox Anataki's Mother
Show all 26 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Sean Mulcahy Priest
- Cynthia Debassige Esther
- Franklin Doss George
- Darlene Shilling Rose
- Margaret Martina Sarah
- Rudy Medicine Crane Rachel's Mother
More from Bruce Pittman
More films directed by Bruce Pittman, best-rated first: Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II, Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion, Alien Tracker and No Alibi.
Where the Spirit Lives Plot Summary
What happens in Where the Spirit Lives from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ashtoh-Komi is abducted in 1937 along with several other children as part of a Canadian policy to remove Indigenous kids from their families and educate them in Euro-Canadian ways. Taken to a harsh boarding school, she is forced to shed her language, customs, and identity, learning English and Western dress while facing strict discipline and an atmosphere that values conformity over culture. The atmosphere is cold and unforgiving, and Komi finds herself peering through the walls of a system designed to erase who she is.
Full summary
The whole story of Where the Spirit Lives, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Where the Spirit Lives?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is the story set?
Where the Spirit Lives Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Henkien tanssi” and “Wo ich zuhause bin”.
- Also known as
-
- Henkien tanssi
- Wo ich zuhause bin
Seen Where the Spirit Lives?
Movies Like Where the Spirit Lives
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Spirit Rider, Indian Horse and Teen Spirit.
Where the Spirit Lives FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Where the Spirit Lives, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Where the Spirit Lives?
Where the Spirit Lives runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Where the Spirit Lives released?
Where the Spirit Lives was released on September 9, 1989.
Who directed Where the Spirit Lives?
Where the Spirit Lives was directed by Bruce Pittman.
More films by Bruce Pittman Who is in the cast of Where the Spirit Lives?
Where the Spirit Lives stars Michelle St. John as Komi / Amelia, Clayton Julian as Pita / Abraham and Ron White as Taggart, among 26 credited actors.
Does Where the Spirit Lives have a post-credit scene?
No. Where the Spirit Lives has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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