When Adam Beach walked into Gusto's Bistro yesterday afternoon he had a presence. His tall statuesque physique and shoulder length brown hair perfectly framed his dark smoldering eyes, giving off the air of an untold story.
It is through those intense eyes that the Ottawa actor tells his latest story, in the feature film Smoke Signals, directed by Chris Eyre.
The film is one that Beach is extremely proud of. It's written, acted and directed by all-Native talent.
As he sat down at a little table outside the bistro, Beach talked openly about his career, hopes and dreams for the future, and Smoke Signals.
At the age of 25, Beach is already fixed on a successful career path. With a working portfolio filled with both TV and film roles, his work includes North of 60, Lonesome Dove and Dance Me Outside. His latest role is his first starring role, in the feature film Smoke Signals.
The movie, based on a collection of award-winning short stories written by Sherman Alexie, entitled The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, was filmed in Washington and Idaho and took only a remarkable 25 days to make, creating a finished product that is phenomenal.
"It's amazing that in such a short time they worked through so many issues," says Beach.
Director Chris Eyre uses the technique of flashbacks to show powerful images of Victor's past and present life discovering the truth about his father.
The movie chronicles the life of Beach's character Victor Joseph as he works through the trauma of alcohol abuse and his father's abandonment.
"Victor is a young man carrying a lot of baggage," says Beach, "He's hoping to have that one defining moment to unleash all the tension."
He is able to reach a point of enlightenment and forgiveness when his father passes away and he travels to bring his ashes home and he learns to accept his father and move on. "It successfully brings the issues of alcoholism, neglect and violence to a level that everyone can relate to," says Beach.
The film works through the message of learning to come to terms with the anger, hurt and resentment a child must deal with when they lose their parents at such a young age.
For Beach the movie was more than just a role, but a cathartic experience for the young actor, who lost his own parents at the age of eight.
"It was like a rebirth, a very big explosion to look at myself and what I have inside," says Beach.
"It made me see all my fears, strengths and weaknesses up close and helped resolve some of those issues, making me a stronger person."
It was a subject matter that Beach felt strongly about. He wants to share his history and roots, and is proud of his ancestry and wants to share their rich stories.
Smoke Signals opens Friday, but there will be a special benefit screening to aid the Sheldon Kennedy foundation for abused children on Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Westgate Theatres. You can obtain tickets for the special screening at Gusto's Bistro, 399 Elgin St., for $12. A limited number are available.
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