Otherworld (2025)

-Written by Michelle Vorob.

2025 CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! 

Otherworld is a creative [short] documentary by Lokotah Sanborn. Quite beautiful and tragic, Otherworld is a narrated poem, exploring the interactions between Native Americans and the first English to arrive at Allen Island in 1605, exploring the history of abuse and enslavement of the Native peoples, specifically the Abenaki.

The visuals of Otherworld are simple and beautiful, showing the New England island footage in black and white. Water. Landscape. A house. While seeing this picturesque footage in black and white, it looks both majestic and stark. We see this imagery while hearing the haunting words of Otherworld, written and narrated by Mali Obomsawin.

In general, I wouldn't call myself a poetry lover. I tend to find a lot of what I've read to be pretentious and/or boring. Occasionally, I've come across something that really struck a chord with me and told a story or expressed emotion in a way that was impressive and had a lasting effect. Otherworld is absolutely one of those poems. 

It tells a story. It builds a world. I felt emotion. I imagined characters and events in my mind. I understood the message without interpreting any pretense. I actually found myself wishing this was a prelude to a show or movie about the Abenaki and English in 1605. 

I have to say, every creative documentary I've watched for CIFF has played like a film, rather than a typical documentary. Points North Institute has stated The Camden International Film Festival is taking place at various venues in Camden and Rockland, Maine, from September 11th through the 14th, without a virtual festival this year. If you're in the area and would like to attend, you can purchase tickets in person or online [pointsnorthinstitute.org].

Directed by Lokotah Sanborn.

Written by Mali Obomsawin. 

Starring Mali Obomsawin. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING