Musician and playwright Tomson Highway brings his hand from his brain to his heart. “[English] comes from [the brain], [Cree] comes from [the heart],” which, sure, feels reductive. But I know less languages than Highway, who knows at least a dozen languages, maybe.

Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment competently jumps between different timelines, which is necessary. It shows him during the present day, when he shows his family photos or discusses them. Archive footage has a younger version of him in Toronto, writing contemporary ballet music.

A person like Tomson Highway touches many lives and Astonishment is a testament to that – he’s not the documentary’s only interviewee, as it features playwrights and actors of Indigenous origin. One of these interviewees is Gary Farmer, who praises Highway’s unique voice.

Some of the interviewees in Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment discuss the themes in his work – plays like Dry Lips Oughta Move To… speaks to the misogyny in all communities. This gives importance to those issues while showing that he’s had a good life.

Highway takes space in this world as a queer Cree man with specific life experiences – those experiences come up during his interview scenes, where his verbosity really shines through. At other times, he speaks in a general sense, knowing that relatability is power.

The ‘general’ stories in Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment comes when he’s talking about himself – it also happens when he’s talking about his late brother, a contemporary ballet dancer. He talks about their journey from and back home to their Indigenous land with educated nuance. 

Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment has a lot of detours, comprising a fascinating man’s portrait. Tableaux dramatization and narration has Highway reminiscing about his family – generations of male musicians. A story about his father’s determination about learning the accordion gives a sense of delight.

Sure, Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment just seems like every other documentary with talking heads. But even the other interviewees attest to the playwright’s infectious, palpable sense of joy. One of those interviewees is Kevin Loring, who reminds viewers of Indigenous theatrical traditions.

Loring discusses his first encounter with Highway’s work in Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment. Despite having first time nerves performing his work, he eventually felt ease delivering Highways’ monologue. Highway and Farmer says similar things, and the former also talks about how he makes characters unique.

Loring’s interview segments in Highway: Permanent Astonishment also helps viewers understand themes in Highway’s work. Dry Lips and Rez Sisters are both about misogyny even with positive role models. These conversations help us understand Rose, Highway’s opus, finally seeing the light of day.

TIFF is having a one time screening of Tomson Highway: Permanent Astonishment on November 11.