Canadian snowboarder Spencer O’Brien’s journey to uncover her Indigenous heritage is the subject of the first feature documentary from Aussie director Cassie De Colling.
Production is underway in Vancouver on Precious Leader Woman, which chronicles how the sportswoman managed to reconnect with her First Nations community following a tough result at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. After discovering the world of her heritage and Western ideals are not mutually exclusive, O’Brien, who was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis only a couple of months before the Games, returns to the mountains, balancing the peace of mind that comes with snowboarding in the backcountry with the rigors of competitive winter sports.
Written by Kainai First Nation actor/producer/filmmaker Elle Máijá Tailfeathers, the film is being produced by Hayley Morin and Mack Stannard for Kiddo Production Company, with Leah Nelson and Michael Grand on board as executive producers.
The creative team also includes cinematographer Leo Hoorn and editor Dakota Morton.
Precious Leader Woman, which is being funded by Telus Originals, is expected to head into post-production in May ahead of an August completion. Read Entire Article Here.
Review - December 2021
"Precious Leader Woman not only tells an excellent story—of athleticism and drive, of identity and passion, of family and strength—but it does so with a cinematic sense of style, grace, and courage to match its incredible protagonist: two-time Olympian, and X-Games Gold Medal snowboarder Spencer O'Brien. Tracing Spencer's life journey from the remote Indigenous community of Alert Bay, BC, to the heights of the world's stage, and back again. Precious Leader Woman is an inspiring heroine's journey film that speaks frankly about focusing on future goals or present challenges at the expense of your past and your roots. (And the snowboarding is really beautiful too.) "
- Feet Banks, Mountain Life Magazine. Squamish, BC.
"Mountain Culture award - “An honourable mention was also awarded to Cassie De Colling’s PRECIOUS LEADER WOMAN. An essential story shines a new light on being an athlete in the mountains. It is a poignant story in an important moment in our culture grappling with what reconciliation and cultural identity looks like. At its heart, it is a story of family and love, which has universal appeal.” " - Whistler Film Festival Jury
Best BC Director Award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia recognizes the achievements of a BC-based Director with a feature film at the festival. The jury was honoured to present the DGC BC Whistler Film Festival Award for Best BC Director to Cassie De Colling for PRECIOUS LEADER WOMAN. The jury stated “Cassie spoke to the power we have within ourselves to grow and to find a deeper meaning for our existence and one where we can be role models to others, regardless of culture. Spencer O’Brien’s journey to becoming one of the best snowboarders in the world paralleling her journey to becoming the namesake Precious Leader Woman was so rich, moving and compelling. Congratulations to all the BC filmmakers in the festival." December 19, 2021
Hollywood North Magazine Review
...."No better combination than family and extreme sports, mixed in this masterpiece." - Hollywood North Magazine Nick Wangersky
