Beans (2021)
A fierce and intimate coming-of-age story set against the explosive backdrop of the 1990 Oka Crisis in Quebec.
Beans - Movie Information
- Original Title: Beans
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Tracey Deer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 30, 2021 (Canada), November 5, 2021 (United States)
- Production Companies: EMAfilms, Crave, Canadian Film Centre (CFC), Super Écran
- Production Countries: Canada
Beans - Plot
Twelve-year-old Beans is on the edge: torn between innocent childhood and reckless adolescence; forced to grow up fast and become the tough Mohawk warrior she needs to be during the Oka Crisis, the turbulent Indigenous uprising that tore Quebec and Canada apart for 78 tense days in the summer of 1990.
Beans - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Beans come to life:
Where to Watch Beans
Looking for where to watch Beans?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Beans - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tracey Deer
Main Cast
- Kiawentiio
- Rainbow Dickerson
- Violah Beauvais
- Paulina Alexis
- D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
- Joel Montgrand
- Taio Gélinas
- Brittany LeBorgne
- Kelly Beaudoin
- Jay Cardinal Villeneuve
Writers
- Meredith Vuchnich
- Tracey Deer
Producers
- Anne-Marie Gélinas
Beans - FAQs
Is Beans based on a true story?
Yes, Beans draws directly from director Tracey Deer's own childhood experiences. Deer is Mohawk and lived through the 1990 Oka Crisis as a young girl. The film fictionalizes her coming-of-age story against the backdrop of that real and deeply significant Indigenous land rights standoff in Quebec.
What is the Oka Crisis depicted in Beans?
The Oka Crisis was a 78-day armed standoff in the summer of 1990 between Mohawk protesters, Quebec police, and the Canadian army. It began when the town of Oka planned to expand a golf course onto sacred Mohawk land, sparking one of the most pivotal Indigenous rights confrontations in Canadian history.
Who plays Beans in the 2021 film?
Kiawentiio plays the title role of Beans, whose full name is Tekahentahkhwa. It's a remarkable lead performance — raw, emotionally complex, and deeply grounded. Kiawentiio is a Mohawk actress who later gained wider recognition for her role in the Netflix series Anne with an E.
What is Beans about?
Beans follows a twelve-year-old Mohawk girl navigating the explosive summer of the 1990 Oka Crisis in Quebec. Caught between childhood innocence and a world suddenly demanding she be tough and resilient, she must find her identity and courage as racial tensions and political conflict erupt around her family.
Who directed Beans (2021)?
Beans was directed by Tracey Deer, a Mohawk filmmaker from Kahnawake, Quebec. The film is deeply personal — Deer drew on her own memories of living through the Oka Crisis as a child. It marks her feature film directorial debut and earned widespread critical acclaim across Canada and internationally.
Where can I stream or watch Beans?
You can watch Beans by renting or buying it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. If you prefer free streaming, it's also available on both Kanopy and Hoopla, which are accessible through many public library memberships.
How long is the film Beans?
Beans runs for 92 minutes — just over an hour and a half. It's a tightly crafted, emotionally intense coming-of-age story that doesn't overstay its welcome, delivering a powerful and focused narrative experience from start to finish.
Did Beans win any awards or critical recognition?
Beans earned strong critical praise and won multiple awards, including the Best Canadian Film prize at the Toronto International Film Festival's Canada's Top Ten. It also received several Canadian Screen Award nominations and was celebrated for its authentic Indigenous perspective and Kiawentiio's breakthrough lead performance.
More About Beans
Explore further details about Beans on these trusted resources: