canadian indigenous filmmakers
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Highlight social problems

Canadian indigenous filmmakers

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleCanadian indigenous filmmakers

Wapikoni founder Manon Barbeau is seen at her Montreal office in Quebec
Montreal - Arab Today

Emilio Wawatie, a member of Canada's indigenous Anishnabe community, says he grew tired of the stereotypical portrayal of his country's indigenous peoples on the silver screen. So at age 18, he launched into a film career.

"You don't have to go back to black-and-white films," the filmmaker says. "Not that long ago, aboriginals were represented as 'wild Indians' in popular cinema, a cliche perpetuated by whites."

Now 25, Wawatie is part of a new generation of indigenous Canadian filmmakers who are unafraid to turn their cameras on the brutal poverty, violence and other problems their communities face.

Many got their start from a video production company called Wapikoni, which provides young indigenous people with the cameras, editing tools and guidance they need to make films.

The non-profit group has been taking filmmaking to the people for the past dozen years, dropping mobile film production studios into communities for five weeks.

It has helped produce 900 films, including winners of 120 international prizes.

They have helped draw attention to the social problems afflicting native communities that number some 1.4 million people in Canada, or more than four percent of the population.

Suicide rates among indigenous Canadians are five to seven times higher than the average, according to official figures. Aboriginal women are also much more likely to become victims of assault or homicide.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government launched a public inquiry this month into 1,200 missing or murdered indigenous women over the last three decades.

Wawatie initially worried that his native community of Kitigan Zibi, which lies some 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Ottawa, and other Algonquin groups would reject his efforts to highlight their woes.

But his documentary films -- which include an examination of divisions within the community -- have earned praise for their honest portrayals.

His first short film in 2006 "revealed my people's suffering and I gained the support of my peers," he said. "That gave me tremendous confidence in my abilities."

- Taking filmmaking to grassroots -

The growth of indigenous filmmaking reflects a broader trend throughout the Americas.

"A generation is speaking out in defense of its culture and their words are radiating through audiovisual productions," Wapikoni founder Manon Barbeau says.

The company's productions range from films examining difficult subjects such as rape and bigotry to lighter comedies and musicals.

Wapikoni is also reaching out to young indigenous people beyond Canada's borders through a network of production companies called RICAA, created in 2014.

Among those it enabled to showcase their peoples' traditions, 22-year-old director Analicia Lopez Matos of Panama's Kuna Nation attended the Montreal First Peoples Festival earlier this month.

"I want to show (young people) there is a way out," she said. "That drugs and violence are not the solution."

Wawatie says a similar message resonated with the Sami people, who live in the Arctic part of Finland when he visited there in 2013.

"We do not speak the same language, we do not have the same skin color," he said. "But the concepts are the same between our peoples: a connection to the land, to nature and all that surrounds us."

Source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

GMT 08:15 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Indian states seek last-ditch film ban

GMT 08:55 2018 Monday ,22 January

South Korea in a swoon as megastar

GMT 07:15 2018 Sunday ,21 January

Will Smith hooked after Kyrgios classic

GMT 09:14 2018 Saturday ,20 January

#MeToo is 'tipping point' for Hollywood

GMT 05:50 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Lebanon reverses ban on Spielberg film

GMT 06:41 2018 Wednesday ,17 January

Actress Kruger says Hollywood changing

GMT 07:05 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

Lebanon bans Spielberg film and adventurer biopic

GMT 07:14 2018 Monday ,15 January

Famed photographer Mario Testino accused
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

canadian indigenous filmmakers canadian indigenous filmmakers

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 21:49 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Trump to tell Erdogan of concern over Syria offensive

GMT 08:26 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Five things to know about Davos

GMT 16:13 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Netanyahu urges Macron to 'fix' Iran nuclear deal

GMT 10:17 2016 Thursday ,21 January

WHO confirms second new Ebola case in Sierra Leone

GMT 13:33 2011 Wednesday ,06 July

Russia bids to expand Arctic border to seek gas

GMT 09:06 2011 Wednesday ,21 September

Powerful typhoon hits Japan

GMT 11:15 2011 Wednesday ,03 August

2 glaciers in Nepal to disappear

GMT 19:01 2017 Saturday ,19 August

Finland suspect an asylum seeker, targeted women

GMT 02:45 2017 Wednesday ,08 February

Coup defeat a matter of time, says Yemeni VP

GMT 17:38 2017 Friday ,14 July

Saad Lamjarred denied issuance of new song

GMT 16:02 2011 Thursday ,21 April

Chelsea squad not good enough

GMT 11:29 2011 Tuesday ,19 July

Etihad Towers on track for delivery

GMT 02:05 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

UAE takes keen interest in supporting higher education

GMT 07:17 2017 Saturday ,01 July

Key US inflation measure declines in May
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle