My name is Russell Ratt – Brascoupe, I am Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi and Barier Lake first nation. I am 20 years of age. I was raised by my dad and my grandmother all my life in Kitigan Zibi. I lost my hearing when I was 13, my grandmother passed away in the year of 2012. She was like a mother to me. I plan to be a makeup artist and hair dresser as a career choice.
Wapikoni Mobile comes around every year to make films with the aboriginal youth living on a native rez. I honestly have to give a lot of credit to the team of the Wapikoni. With out them, I would have never been able to make these films and all that comes with it. I decided to make my film “the hearing” as a way to express my mixed emotions about my hearing loss and to use it as a healing tool.
I feel that my film “the hearing” has opened the eyes of so many viewers and touched their heart. “the hearing” has been in many different film festivals in many different areas: Mexico, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and France.
“the hearing” has won HotDocs achievement in documentary award from Air Canada Enroute Film Festival. As well as a documentary award in a film festival in France. I also have another film, it’s called “Wish Upon A Star”.It is a gambling awareness film.
http://www.wapikoni.ca/movies/the-hearing-82efac