In this episode of Afropolitan Dialogues, we sit down with Canadian filmmaker R.T. Thorne to discuss his feature debut, 40 Acres, premiering in theatres across Canada on July 4, 2025. This post-apocalyptic thriller has already garnered critical acclaim for its rich storytelling and powerful portrayal of Black and Indigenous experiences. Recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “51 Best Canadian Films of All Time” and included in TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten, 40 Acres examines the themes of legacy, survival, and land through the lens of a culturally rooted and resilient family.
40 Acres redefines the post-apocalyptic genre through a deeply cultural and emotionally resonant lens. More than a survival thriller, the film is a layered exploration of land, identity, and intergenerational resistance. At its core is a blended Black and Indigenous family living off the grid on ancestral farmland in a famine-ravaged future.
Descended from African American farmers who resettled in Canada after the Civil War, the family stands as a symbol of both historical perseverance and fragile hope. The title itself, 40 Acres, evokes the broken promise of land reparations in the United States and underscores the unyielding struggle for sovereignty and belonging.
Director R.T. Thorne grounds the film in personal experience and cultural memory. The fierce matriarch, Hailey Freeman—played by Danielle Deadwyler—was shaped in part by Thorne’s own Trinidadian mother, whose no-nonsense approach to parenting and emphasis on cultural self-knowledge left a lasting impact. “She didn’t trust institutions to teach us our history,” Thorne explains, a theme vividly reflected in the character’s insistence on education, archiving, and oral tradition. Hailey is more than a survivalist; she’s a vessel for preserving identity amid collapse. Through her, the film explores how generational trauma impacts parenting, community-building, and the desire to protect what has been hard-won.
A particularly striking aspect of 40 Acres is its depiction of Black masculinity through the character of Emanuel, Hailey’s teenage son. Portrayed by Kataem O’Connor, Emanuel offers a rare blend of vulnerability and strength. Trained to defend the farm but emotionally conflicted, his story arc pushes back against narrow portrayals of Black male identity. “I was a lot like Emanuel growing up,” Thorne admits in the interview. “Quiet, sensitive, and artistic.” Rather than conform to genre tropes, the character’s complexity becomes a powerful statement about empathy, self-discovery, and what it means to be a young Black man navigating a violent world without losing one’s humanity.
What ultimately elevates the film is its commitment to cultural specificity and authenticity. Language, food, literature, and spirituality are not background elements—they’re central to how the family endures. Galen, Hailey’s Cree partner, ensures their children continue to speak their Indigenous language, while Hailey emphasizes Black historical literacy. These details, along with the remote Northern Ontario setting, create a visceral sense of place and purpose. 40 Acres doesn’t just imagine survival—it imagines survival rooted in memory, knowledge, and love. In doing so, Thorne offers a bold vision for Canadian cinema and a touchstone for future Black and Indigenous storytelling.
Timestamps & highlights
[00:02:47] – On Being Named to the “51 Best Canadian Films of All Time” List
Thorne reacts with awe and gratitude at being included alongside legendary Canadian filmmakers like Denis Villeneuve and David Cronenberg.
[00:03:24] – The Meaning Behind the Title “40 Acres”
Thorne examines the historical significance of the title—from the unfulfilled post-Civil War promise to African Americans to the legacy of Canada’s Underground Railroad.
[00:06:05] – A Rare Black and Indigenous Family Story in Canadian Cinema
Thorne discusses the intentional choice to depict a blended Black-Indigenous family and the cultural practices (language, history, spirituality) that sustain them.
[00:09:59] – Bringing the Story to Life with Canadian Talent
Thorne discusses co-writing the film with Glenn Taylor, collaborating with powerhouse producer Jennifer Holness, and the importance of grounding the story in lived experience.
[00:13:47] – From Music Videos to TV to Film: Thorne’s Creative Journey
Thorne reflects on his path through music videos, series like The Porter, and his personal desire to tell this intimate mother-son story in a genre setting.
[00:16:56] – Portraying Black Masculinity Through a New Lens
The director speaks candidly about the character of Emanuel and how he wanted to challenge one-dimensional portrayals of Black men on screen.
[00:20:19] – Inspiring the Next Generation of Black and Indigenous Filmmakers
Thorne shares hopes for 40 Acres to open doors and expand the range of stories told by underrepresented voices in Canadian cinema.
Impactful quotes from the conversation
“There must be reflection on the past in order to move forward in the present.”
— R.T. Thorne on the historical weight behind the title 40 Acres
“She didn’t trust these institutions to teach us our history… all that book report stuff in the movie—that’s from my mother.”
— R.T. Thorne on how his Trinidadian mother inspired Hailey Freeman
“Black masculinity is as varied as any expression of humanity.”
— R.T. Thorne on reimagining the emotional range of young Black men
“I just hadn’t seen a family like this on screen before—Black and Indigenous, multilingual, teaching history, surviving through culture.”
— R.T. Thorne on breaking new ground in Canadian cinema
“I wanted to show a film I had never seen but always wanted to. One that makes us feel, think, and claim space.”
— R.T. Thorne on why 40 Acres is a personal and political vision
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About the film
Title: 40 Acres
Canadian Release: July 4, 2025 (Mongrel Media)
U.S. Release: July 2, 2025 (Magnolia Pictures)
Language: English & Cree (with subtitles)
Starring: Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Greyeyes, Kataem O’Connor, Milcania Diaz-Rojas, Leenah Robinson
Director: R.T. Thorne
Producers: Jennifer Holness, Hungry Eyes Media
Set in a decimated future where famine reigns and survival is paramount, 40 Acres tells the story of Hailey Freeman (Deadwyler), a mother who defends her family's ancestral farm with fierce love and military precision. Her partner Galen (Greyeyes), of Cree heritage, and their children live isolated yet empowered—keeping language, books, and music alive as cultural lifelines.
The arrival of a mysterious girl disrupts this fragile balance, forcing the family to choose between safety and humanity.
Resources & Links
- 🎬 Official Site: www.40acresmovie.com
- 🎟 TIFF Canada’s Top Ten: TIFF Official
About the podcast
Afropolitan Dialogues features in-depth and insightful conversations with Black changemakers from around the world in music, the arts, entrepreneurship, and beyond. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and visit podcast.afrotoronto.com to hear more episodes.
Final thought
R.T. Thorne reminds us that reclaiming space in cinema begins with telling stories rooted in truth, legacy, and love. With 40 Acres, he doesn’t just imagine survival—he imagines a future where Black and Indigenous families hold the land, the language, and each other. That’s where the power lies.
