“Mesmerizing. Poetic. A fitting cinematic expansion to Tagaq’s art.”
– Radheyan Simonpillai, Globe and Mail
“So tantalizing you won’t want to look away.”
– Sarah Manvel, Critic’s Notebook
“Stunning…[connects] Tagaq’s art to her personal story, including unraveling the effects colonialism had on her family.”
– Dana Gee, Vancouver Sun
“An emotional and engaging snapshot of Tagaq's career — one that has been so intertwined with her ancestry and spirituality.”
– Paul Dika, Exclaim!
Kino Lorber announced that it has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to the National Film Board of Canada documentary feature Ever Deadly, an immersive and poetic portrait of avant-garde Inuk throat singer and multi-hyphenate artist Tanya Tagaq. Co-directed by Tagaq and the award-winning documentary filmmaker Chelsea McMullan, Ever Deadly explores Tagaq’s mastery of the art of throat singing and features live performances by the singer-songwriter, novelist, and activist. Kino Lorber is planning a theatrical release later this year, followed by a home video release as well as a digital release on all major platforms.
Tanya Tagaq is a member of the Order of Canada, a Polaris Music Prize and JUNO Award winner, and has collaborated and recorded with Saul Williams, Kronos Quartet, Bjork, A Tribe Called Red, Buffy Sainte-Marie, F**ked Up, and many more. Ever Deadly, which made its World Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, is her directorial debut. The film is co-directed by Canadian filmmaker Chelsea McMullan, who is best known for their acclaimed documentary films capturing artists and performers, including My Prairie Home, a portrait of transgender musician Rae Spoon, and Crystal Pite: Angels’ Atlas, profiling the ballet choreographer Crystal Pite. Ever Deadly is produced by Lea Marin, Kate Vollum, and Anita Lee for the National Film Board of Canada with cinematography by Alejandro Coronado.
Throughout her ground-breaking career, Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq has always had an intimate relationship with the Nuna—the Land—a living, breathing organism present in her improvised performances. Hers is a voice that, according to the New York Times, “demands full attention, whether she’s whispering in her softest register or howling at the sky.” Ever Deadly weaves together intimate concert footage of Tagaq alongside moving personal reflections, stunning sequences filmed in Nunavut, and hand-drawn animation by Inuk artist Shuvinai Ashoona to seamlessly bridge history, landscapes, stories, and songs with pain, anger, and triumph—all through the expressions of one of the most innovative musical performers of our time.
The deal for Ever Deadly was negotiated by Kino Lorber Senior Vice President Wendy Lidell and Oscar Rangel for the National Film Board of Canada.
"With an opening shot that features seven of the most riveting minutes I've ever seen in a documentary, Ever Deadly is an intimate deep dive into the life of extraordinary performer Tanya Tagaq, digging into her journey as a musical artist alongside her personal and spiritual history,” said Kino Lorber SVP Wendy Lidell. “Tanya’s unique artistry is celebrated throughout Canada, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce her work and her story to American audiences."
“The National Film Board of Canada is so thrilled to have found the right partner in Kino Lorber to provide this powerful documentary its path in the U.S. market,” added Nathalie Bourdon, Director, Distribution and Market Development at the NFB.
“How exciting! We are happy to announce our partnership with Kino Lorber and our U.S. release of Ever Deadly,” said Tanya Tagaq. “Thank you so much to everyone who put time and energy into our project. It’s been a thrill watching our vision reach you. Come see our film!"
“Having the opportunity to participate in channeling Tanya's art, voice, and life into film has been the greatest creative endeavor of my life,” said Chelsea McMullan. “Ever Deadly is meant to be an experience, to flood over you and take you on a journey guided by a live performance for the ages. I’m so excited we are partnering with Kino Lorber to bring Ever Deadly to American audiences."