Monkey Beach: A conversation with Grace Dove

Grace Dove as Lisa in Monkey Beach / Ricardo Hubbs

Waking up on the bathroom floor in yesterday's clothes, from yet another hangover, Lisa is the character that invites audiences into Monkey Beach, Loretta Todd's film adaptation of the beloved novel by Eden Robinson. As another hangover washes over Lisa, her cousin's ghost greets her with the message, 'Your family needs you,' prompting her to return to her Haisla kin in Kitamaat. Here she is forced to remain strong for herself and her family while facing fears surrounding her own history and powers.

This film explores Lisa and her Haisla community's connections to the land and water, ancestral teachings, and wisdom. It is a testament to the strength of an Indigenous woman finding empowerment in her adversity.

"I relate to Lisa-Marie and her journey to find her truth," says actress Grace Dove. "I admire her strength to go home, to face her problems that she was running away from. She persists, and in that, she is able to go on her own journey.”

Throughout the film, Lisa embraces her powers and her Haisla heritage through ongoing conversations with ancestors. It features stunning cinematic depictions of land and water—highlighting the Kitamaat terrain and ocean life.

"Loretta Todd was very persistent about going up to Haisla territory, and to film where the story was written and created," says Dove.

The importance and specificity of land are integral to telling this tale, not just in the film's end product but throughout the entire process of making the film. The landscape shots act as punctuation throughout the film, sequencing scenes and ideas like scripted dialogue.

Spirit of the Kitlope Dancers / Ricardo Hubbs

"The land and water are characters themselves, and they carry so much power and history in the book," says Dove. "You just can't fake that. You can't just create that magic and the power of the ancestors that are roaming those lands today."

Dove views the film as a tool to bring Indigenous conversations into homes of any lineage.

"This movie is healing for us as Indigenous peoples. It shows our resilience, strength, and that we are still here. We are still dealing with so much trauma and racism," says Dove, who hopes the film will show how much Indigenous folk have to offer, and their readiness to heal.

Recently, Dove has taken on a new role behind the camera. Her directorial debut is with the film Kiri and The Dead Girl, a fairytale about Tlingit artist Kiri Geen, who, with the help of spirit and animal guides, reclaims her heritage after being adopted.

"I'm realizing in my lived experiences how much room there is to grow for proper representation and telling stories from the authentic and indigenous perspective," says Dove in her newfound role. "As an Indigenous performer, it is frustrating and damaging how limited our opportunities still are, and how many stereotypes still exist for Indigenous peoples."

Dove hopes to use her platform to take chances on new and fresh talent and perspectives: "when it comes to collaboration and great artistry, we need to take chances on up and comers. Otherwise, we won't bring in that new wave of creative thought."

Monkey Beach is a poignant representation of Indigenous resilience and strength, despite the adversity that Lisa and her Haisla kin have faced. This film exemplifies Indigenous storytelling in all aspects and a beautiful and uplifting story for all to experience. Through films like this and projects such as Kiri the Dead Girl, incredible healing, uprising, and reclamation can occur.

Monkey Beach premiered with Vancouver Cineplex Theatres on October 16th.