Movies by Ayana O'Shun

1st Bite

1st Bite

Set on a tropical island in Thailand, the strange plight of a beleaguered chef who, while romancing a mysterious woman, discovers the diabolical Zen of cooking. Following a near death escape, he returns to Montreal and falls hard for the woman of his life who unfortunately craves only his cooking but not his loving. Worse still, strange things surfacing around him indicate that his journey to the Far East has deep, divine implications. The stage is set for him to take the 1st bite of true love and end the cycle of suffering for all involved.

Black Hands: Trial of the Arsonist Slave

Black Hands: Trial of the Arsonist Slave

Investigating slavery in Canada through the story of Marie-Josèphe Angélique, a Black slave accused of burning Montreal in 1734. After an epic trial, this untameable slave is tortured and sentenced to death. But was she really guilty of this crime or was she the victim of a bigger conspiracy? Why this voluntary amnesia about this unknown page of Canadian history?

In Between/Entre deux

In Between/Entre deux

On a cold fall evening, Leila is left alone to tend the family convenience store. A series of strange clients keep her in a constant state of apprehension. Language and cultural barriers also contribute to the making of a nerve-racking evening.

Cassy

Cassy

Cassy, 9, is obsessed, silent, angry. Recently, she lost her mother to a mysterious accident. Her turmoil clashes with that of her father, a violent man who treats women like objects. While the little girl rediscovers a kind of happiness thanks to a kind vocal instructor, the father’s behaviour grows increasingly erratic. Childhood and grieving confront some hot-button issues when sexual harassment, violence and homophobia enter the scene. Natacha Mitrani, the director’s daughter, is heartbreaking in the challenging role of Cassy.

Le voleur de papillons

Le voleur de papillons

A Cargo to Africa

A Cargo to Africa