Two brothers set out to reclaim what they believe is their rightful inheritance in filmmaker Sanjay Patel‘s The Birds Who Fear Death. Visually impressive, the film spotlights the side effects of prioritizing economic wealth over quality of life. Patel’s thought-provoking drama also offers an urgent perspective on the ongoing eco-crisis caused by corporate greed. The Birds Who Fear Death already stands strong with 20 award nominations after its World Premiere at the 2024 Calgary International Film Festival.

“Dearly Departed Asshole”

Adam (Adam Beach) and Ryan (Simon Baker) are not shy about the fact that they want their sick father to die. Once he does, they expect an inheritance that will hopefully solve all of their problems. It’s a perfect plan. However, once he passes away, the brothers are shocked to discover they’ve been left out of the will. Instead of contributing to generational wealth, their father privately gave their inheritance to a rural 1st Nation community called BIRD. “Screws us in life, screws us in death!” they proclaim angrily. Adam and Ryan threaten to contest the will but are swiftly met with roadblocks and red tape. They believe that the only way to get “their” money back is by talking to the chief of BIRD and convince him to split the inheritance with them 50/50.

Upon arriving at the BIRD community, their presence isn’t exactly celebrated. Many blame their father, who was a prominent Indigenous businessman, for the disruption and ongoing health crisis within the community. Cancer and other chronic health issues are a direct result of some of their father’s shady business dealings primarily with the oil & gas industry. After speaking with BIRD’s Chief Ed (Graham Greene), Adam and Ryan realize their father acted selfishly. His decision to funnel money back into the community is now seen as an act of repentance. It’s blood money, not an act of goodwill. This discovery sends Adam and Ryan into a spiral. They frantically start questioning everything they thought they knew about their dad.

Spotlighting Local Indigenous Struggles

The Birds Who Fear Death playfully dips into the dark comedy genre for moments of emotional brevity. The relationship between Adam and Ryan includes playful banter reminiscent of a Cheech and Chong skit. More striking, though, is the film’s ability to mirror an eco-thriller. Sanjay Patel does a fantastic job of showing, not telling, the audience, these stark facts. If we continue to blindly fuel these industries and allow them to destroy more native land, we risk the loss of irreplaceable natural wonders.

Takeaway

A good journey contains many layers, as does The Birds Who Fear Death. The film is an exploration of human fragility and empathy in a world often driven by corporate greed and selfishness. “Having worked in the Oil & Gas sector for over 20 years,” Patel says, “I witnessed firsthand the relentless and often unethical pursuit of wealth. [This led] to ruin, disaster, and the collapse of ecosystems. This film is a powerful visual exploration of universal themes like love, faith, greed, and man’s conflict with nature, told through the lens of local Indigenous struggles.”