| For John is a recent National Film Board of Canada release that deals with the impact of suicide on a tightly-knit Mohawk family. John Diabo (1967-1998) was a vibrant and generous Mohawk man from the community of Kahnawake, Quebec. In this moving documentary the family of John Diabo comes forward four years following his suicide to share their memories, their grief and their continuing disbelief. The film was written and directed by Dale Montour, John's aunt. In this documentary she uses family photographs and video clips and interweaves these images with family testimony. The extended Mohawk family meets around the kitchen table and John's children, sister, mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandfather share their fond memories of an athletic and fun-loving young man. The family members also describe the impact of drug addiction and the hold it held over John's life. They discuss what attempts they made to assist John in overcoming the hold of drugs but they regret that they ultimately failed him. John's mother also shares her methods of coping with the loss of her son. The film celebrates the life of a young Mohawk man who touched the lives of numerous family members as well as friends. Unfortunately the addiction proved more powerful and the family is left to carry on after their major loss. This film would make an excellent way to start a discussion of the impact of drugs and what a family and community can do assist those who are addicted. A VHS edition is also available. |
