The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open 2019

The movie unfolds through a series of poignant vignettes, introducing us to Rosie, a young woman of the Kwakwaka’wakw nation, and Áila, who is of Blackfoot and Sámi descent. Rosie finds herself in an incredibly difficult situation, being pregnant and living with her abusive boyfriend and his mother. In a contrasting narrative, Áila visits a medical professional to have an IUD inserted, representing her pursuit of stability and control over her own body.

After Áila’s appointment, she unexpectedly encounters Rosie, who is caught in a moment of despair—battered, barefoot, and lost in the rain, having just fled her boyfriend’s violent outburst. Driven by compassion, Áila offers Rosie a place to stay in her nearby apartment, though their interaction is laden with tension. Inside the apartment, Rosie is surprisingly reserved, reluctant to change clothes and dry off. While in the bathroom, she succumbs to stealing a bottle of Áila’s anxiety medication, showcasing her turmoil. Furthermore, she later makes off with Áila’s wallet, a symbolic reflection of her desperate circumstances.

As the evening unfolds, Rosie begins to open up slightly, sharing her experiences of having been phased out of foster care. Despite her vulnerability, Rosie is insistent on not involving the police, fearing retribution from her boyfriend. Áila, concerned for Rosie’s safety, advocates for seeking refuge in a women’s shelter, and after some hesitation, Rosie agrees to consider the option.

During their journey to the shelter, Rosie’s demeanor shifts. She becomes light-hearted, spinning tales to the cab driver about being sisters with Áila and claiming that Áila is on her way to rehab, much to Áila’s surprise. Rosie even recounts a fabricated story about their father’s death, possibly hinting at deeper personal truths. However, their interaction takes a turn when Áila follows Rosie into an apartment complex and witnesses her exchange the anxiety pills for cash, raising the stakes of their fragile bond.

Upon confronting Rosie about the exchange in the cab, Áila is met with hostility and accusations, deepening the divide between them. When they arrive at the safe house, Áila stands firm in her stance, unwilling to enter until Rosie is completely honest. Rosie, insisting that she was merely selling the medication and not using it, ultimately finds herself paying for the cab ride after they realize her wallet is missing.

At the safe house, they are met by Cat and Sophie. Áila conveys the tumultuous events surrounding Rosie’s situation, while Rosie bravely recounts some instances of the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her boyfriend. Nevertheless, she remains steadfast against involving the police, citing her fear of disrespect and the reality of her boyfriend’s ongoing bail conditions. She also shuns the idea of reuniting with her grandparents in Port Hardy, apprehensive about the judgment she might face as a young single mother.

Sophie and Cat extend kindness to Rosie, offering her a room and access to necessary social services. However, after a brief moment of introspection with her unborn child in the bathroom, Rosie shockingly announces her desire to return to her boyfriend, minimizing the seriousness of the previous abuse. As she prepares to leave, Sophie empathizes with Áila, reassuring her that it’s common for victims of abuse to struggle before they find the courage to leave their abuser for good. In an act of kindness, she hands Áila some money for the taxi ride.

As they ride back to Rosie’s apartment in silence, the weight of the moment hangs heavy. Rosie, grappling with her decisions, asks Áila if she is angry with her. Áila gently reassures her, expressing her belief that Rosie will make a wonderful mother. Rosie reciprocates the sentiment, claiming that Áila will also succeed in motherhood. After a heart-wrenching farewell at the apartment, Áila watches Rosie walk away, her heart heavy with unresolved emotions, before driving off as dusk envelops East Vancouver.