Goin' Down the Road

Two Ojibwe men, Peter and Joey, leave their reserve in Northern Ontario seeking a better life in the city of Toronto. They aim to find work and escape the poverty and limited opportunities of their community. However, their dreams of prosperity are met with harsh realities, and their journey becomes a downward spiral marked by unemployment, alcoholism, and desperation.

Goin' Down the Road is widely regarded as a landmark film in Canadian cinema, praised for its raw and unflinching portrayal of Indigenous life and the challenges of urban migration. It resonated with audiences for its authentic depiction of disillusionment and the struggle for survival, earning critical acclaim for its social commentary and compelling performances.

• Praised for its stark realism and authentic portrayal of Indigenous struggles.

• Considered a significant and influential work in early Canadian filmmaking.

• Noted for its powerful performances and social relevance.

Google audience: Audience reception details are not widely available through Google reviews for this historical film.

Won the Canadian Film Award for Best Film and Best Direction at the 22nd Canadian Film Awards in 1970.

The film was shot on a shoestring budget and was one of the first Canadian films to gain international distribution and critical attention for its gritty realism.