While eager Toronto International Film Festival attendees line up outside the theatres along Festival Street waiting for admission to various screenings, inside, many of the stars are just as abuzz with excitement. Such is the case for Star Slade, the actress who, well, stars in Nika & Madison, the solo directorial debut of Walpole Island First Nation’s Eva Thomas.
In the film, Ms. Slade plays the titular Madison, who returns to her hometown after university only to be met with a chilly welcome from her ex-best friend and cousin, Nika. After a fateful decision, the Indigenous women are forced on the run from a predatory police offer.
It’s not Ms. Slade’s first film at TIFF – she had a part in Castle in the Ground, which premiered in 2019 – but it is her first starring role at the festival. “I always feel like an alien, like do I know how to do this?” Ms. Slade, who is originally from Edmonton, said of the premiere experience. “And you know what? I do. It’s going to be okay. And I think that’s the nice thing about getting older – it gets better and better … and I know what I’m doing.”
The Globe and Mail joined Ms. Slade behind the scenes as she prepared for Nika & Madison’s premiere on Sept. 7.
‘This is my lucky dragon sweater. I’m obsessed with dragons and I have been since I was a little kid. It’s such a sacred protection, beautiful, joyful, universe kind of thing for me. I literally wear it every day. It’s probably smelling disgusting, but it’s my favourite sweater ever and it makes me really happy.’
‘I feel really, really grateful for everybody who made this,’ says Ms. Slade of the film. ‘I feel like I’ve worked on so many things and I’ve been very lucky in my career, but this doesn’t happen every day.’
Ms. Slade speaks with Melissa DiMarco for a recorded interview for her TV show, Out There, discussing everything from her growing up on a horse farm to the inspiration behind her Instagram handle, littledragxn.
With Kendrick Lamar’s Humble playing loudly on her phone, Ms. Slade snaps selfies on the way to the premiere.
Ms. Slade answers questions after the screening, becoming emotional as she speaks about the cast and crew.
Ms. Slade arrives at the premiere after-party at Grace O’Malley’s in downtown Toronto, joining cast, crew and guests.
‘I’m really present right now, and I’m really in my heart space. I wish I had better words, but I don’t really. I just feel … I just feel! I feel deeply and I’m really grateful to be here in this moment with all of my loved ones.’
