Darryl Nepinak
Directing
Biography
Darryl Nepinak burst onto the Winnipeg filmmaking scene in the early 2000s and has created a radical canon of satirical short films that are as big-hearted as they are scathing. Socially engaged and committed, Nepinak exemplifies the filmmaker as a community leader and social critic, one who is mercifully seeking catharsis and understanding through satirical humour. He explores themes of cultural property, systems of Aboriginal image-making, the singularity of Aboriginal life, and the intricacies of inter-cultural misunderstanding in Winnipeg. Working variously in found footage, collage, docu-fiction, animation, mockumentary, music, and comic sketches, Nepinak's filmmaking trajectory is both deeply challenging and resolutely upbeat.
Known For
A lonely career machinist falls for a troubled young artist and they are drawn together while being guided through a mysterious dimension to reconcile with their pasts.
Running Water
This short film documents Darryl Nepinak's journey as he receives his Indian name, while exploring how traditional culture continues to shape and influence our modern sense of self.
First Stories - My Indian Name
Two ersatz "Indian warriors" chase a beautiful Indian maiden through the streets of Winnipeg but she loves Chief Big Bear. Who is the hunter, and who the hunted in this tableaux? Based on the 1964 German song, "Zwei Indianer Aus Winnipeg," our heroes are in for a surprise when they reach The Ancient Lake of Schwinestieger.
Zwei Indianer aus Winnipeg
Darryl Nepinak documents his mother as she teaches him and shares stories of how she learned how to make Bannock. A step by step way of teaching others about what is Bannock and how to make it.
Bannock
Filmmaker Darryl Nepinak directs an amateur film about a talk show host, with a set in his living room that runs on his local cable television network. We follow Darryl the host around his 'ghetto' neighbourhood as he encounters old guests from his show and watch some old reruns or highlights from past shows.
Best of Good Morning Native America
Retro children's TV takes a comical jab when one letter of the alphabet gets a new association.
I for NDN
At the Canadian National Spelling Bee speller Darryl Nepinak stumbles upon a familiar word. (This film was commissioned by the Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque for its 25th anniversary, Silverscope)
Indian
An animated tribute to NHL legend and Manitoban Reggie Leach.
The Riverton Rifle
A nephew's journey