Kayak to Klemtu

K (out of four) Starring Ta’kaiya Blaney, Lorne Cardinal, Sonja Bennett, Jared Ager-Foster and Evan Adams. Directed by Zoe Hopkins. Opens Friday at the Carlton. 91 minutes. PG “You have a beautiful voice, as beautiful as our home — now use it!” Uncle Bear (Evan Adams), says to 14-year-old Ella (Ta’kaiya Blaney) at the start of

Kayak to Klemtu, a road movie where the highway is water.

Uncle Bear is challenging his beloved niece to paddle her kayak 500 kilometres along B.C.’s Inside Passage to their First Nations homeland in remote Klemtu, in order to carry community opposition to a proposed pipeline. Uncle Bear, who is dying, also wants her to scatter his ashes along the way.

So begins this affecting dramedy by Canadian Heiltsuk/ Mohawk filmmaker Zoe Hopkins, which makes grand use of its beautiful setting. Uncle Bear chose wisely: actress Blaney is a real-life environmental activist who has addressed the United Nations.

Ella is not travelling solo, although dubious assistance is provided by her fellow paddlers: loopy aunt Cory (Sonja Bennett), troublesome cousin Alex (Jared Ager-Foster) and crabby uncle Don (Lorne Cardinal).

Hopkins also co-wrote the script, with Michael Sparaga, but the frequent attempts at levity aren’t this film’s strong points. Blaney brings genuine conviction to her role, and visits from whales and seals add to the adventure — and is that a spirit bear we see?