The Lesser Blessed

Fort Simmer, Northwest Territories is a tough place for teenager Larry Sole (Joel Evans) to grow up in. Larry, both fragile and angry, is seeking a place to belong. His tenuous relationships with his friends, his family, and his Indigenous identity have left him feeling vulnerable, and the violence and drugs that surround him threaten to pull him down.

Anita Doron explores questions of identity, ancestry and belonging in this sensitive and tender coming-of-age story that is brought to life by the powerful performance of Evans. The film premiered to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was nominated for four awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Canadian Screen Awards.

“An impressive debut by Evans, whose brown eyes are both soulful and watchful. It’s a performance that commands our attention and empathy.” – Bruce Demara, The Toronto Star