How a writer's reconciliation with his father in Bremerton became an Academy Award nominee
- Julian Brave NoiseCat, a Bremerton resident, will appear at the Roxy on November 6th, where 'Sugarcane' will be shown before a Q&A session.
- 'Sugarcane,' now available on Disney+ and Hulu, was nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
- The film focuses on the negative impacts of the Indian residential school system on Indigenous families and societies.
Julian Brave NoiseCat, a filmmaker and writer, and his father, artist Ed Archie NoiseCat, found reconciliation in Bremerton. Ed had left Julian when he was 6, and after reconnecting, Julian, raised by his mother in California, is now sharing his story. The result of his work is the documentary 'Sugarcane,' co-directed with Emily Kassie, and his first book, 'We Survived the Night.' The film was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Oscars, making Julian the first Indigenous North American filmmaker to be nominated for an Academy Award. The book was released this month.
NoiseCat worked on both projects in Bremerton, where he has lived with his father for the past four years. In November, Kitsap County residents will have a unique opportunity to watch 'Sugarcane' at the Roxy Theater in Bremerton, as part of the theater's film series honoring Native voices and history.
The Kitsap Sun interviewed Julian Brave NoiseCat via phone when he was in Colorado for his book tour. Here's the Q&A with Julian, edited for clarity.
Why should people in Kitsap County watch 'Sugarcane' and read 'We Survived the Night'?
I've been living in Kitsap County for the past four years, working on my first book and documentary, 'Sugarcane,' which was nominated for an Academy Award. It's an honor, and now my first book is out, and it's been received so well. The two projects are related; 'Sugarcane' tells the story of a system that nearly erased my people's culture, and 'We Survived the Night' brings that world back through storytelling, focusing on ancestral trickster coyote stories.
Living in Kitsap County has been special. The county is named after Chief Kitsap, a significant Coast Salish leader. I've lived on Chico Bay, the homeland of the Suquamish. This film and book can help people understand the Indigenous history and present of the Pacific Northwest, the place they call home. There's a lot to learn about the Salish peoples across the U.S.-Canada border over the last 300 years.
What brought you to Bremerton?
I moved to Bremerton to live with my dad and write the book and documentary. The documentary investigates abuse and missing children at the Indian residential school my family attended near Williams Lake, British Columbia. My father was born there and found in the incinerator not long after. The documentary tells a story of genocide in North America, impacting families like mine and the Suquamish in Kitsap County. The book aims to tell the story of Indigenous peoples across North America, honoring traditions nearly lost to schools like St. Joseph's Mission.
The story is about our reconciliation. He left when I was young, so the residential school's history impacted us. He abandoned his kids, so the documentary and book are a story of reconciliation between us, achieved while living in Bremerton.
What message do you want to share with those in Kitsap County who haven't read or watched your work?
I'm proud to have lived in Kitsap County and Bremerton for the past four years, working on these projects. It's cool to be the first Academy Award nominee from Bremerton. I'm excited for people to watch the film, which has gained buzz. It's on Disney+ and Hulu but best viewed in theaters. The book was on NPR Fresh Air with Terry Gross and has been well-received in the press.
I'm thrilled to share these works with people from my hometown, including those I've played tennis and hockey with. It's special to bring my work to the world and keep making art. I'm already working on my next book and documentary.
Roxy Theater Documentary Screening: Sugarcane
Date: November 6th, Thursday, starting at 6:45 p.m.
Location: Roxy Theatre, 270 4th Street, Bremerton.
Event: Part of the Roxy Theatre's Indigenous film series for Native American Heritage Month. Audiences will watch 'Sugarcane,' followed by a discussion and book signing with NoiseCat. Other films in the series include 'From Earth to Sky' on November 13th and 'Fish War' on November 20th.
Is the screening free? Yes.
Can I buy Julian's book there? Yes, the book will be available for purchase at the event or pre-ordered with a ticket reservation.
Age limit: 'Sugarcane' is rated R, and children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
