Award-winning Mohawk filmmaker Shelley Niro’s latest creation, “Café Daughter,” is set to make its debut this week at the Brantford Galaxy Cinemas. The film, based on true events, delves into the journey of young Chinese-Cree Yvette Wong as she navigates personal reconciliation while pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor in 1960s Saskatchewan.
Niro, hailing from Six Nations, is a multifaceted artist skilled in beadwork, painting, photography, and film. Her upbringing, rich with invention and creativity, shaped her artistic prowess. Reflecting on her childhood, Niro reminisces about the days when storytelling, drawing, and plays were the family’s primary sources of entertainment.
“Café Daughter” marks Niro’s directorial and writing prowess, adapted from Kenneth T Williams’ one-woman play of the same title. Niro’s deep connection to the character of Yvette Wong drove her to bring this compelling narrative to life on the big screen.
Filmed near Anishinaabe land in Sudbury, Niro ensured cultural authenticity by involving members of the community in the production process. Before commencing filming, an Anishinaabe elder and a Chinese advisor offered prayers, setting a respectful and harmonious tone for the project.
For Niro, the core theme of “Café Daughter” is love—love within the family that empowers and unites them. The film’s premiere, scheduled in select theaters including Brantford on April 12, promises an emotive and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Ethan Braund, a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, contributed to this article, funded by the Government of Canada.
