Jeffrey’s Turn

Programmer's Notes

Glen Gould's feature film Jeffrey's Turn tenderly explores grief and the power of community. Following the anniversary of his father's death, J.R., a young man on the cusp of adulthood, seeks understanding about the father he lost as a child. Believing his uncle Arty—a nomadic and rebellious man—may have answers, he leaves home for the first time to bail him out of jail.

What follows is a crime-thriller-esque journey with heart, as the two are forced to confront their shared loss and begin repairing their relationship through memories of the man they both loved.

Gould grounds this story in the mundanity of everyday life, finding charm and verisimilitude in the extraordinary circumstances that bring these two men together. Grounded in the lives of the people who call the Black Bear First Nations home, the film offers a sensitive portrait of a community that holds its members through hardship.

Jeffrey's Turn is a testament to the healing power of community, reminding us that we cannot and should not have to navigate loss alone. Gould makes a compelling case for showing up for one another and championing community above all else.

Programmer, Aisha Evelyna