2009-2010

News Release

REF NO.: 0

SUBJECT: Grenfell PSA: Docs on the Bay hits the road

DATE: February 10, 2010

The Docs on the Bay series is hitting the road and travelling to Grenfell College.

          The series, which had its third season in November 2009, is a Stephenville-based evening of documentary films that feature NL and rural vignettes. Docs on the Bay will visit the Grenfell College campus on Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. in AS328. One of the filmmakers, Anne Troake, will be in attendance at the screening. Admission is free. A film synopsis follows. For more information, contact Ivan Emke: iemke@swgc.mun.ca.

          Cranky: (2009) directed by Christopher Richardson. Off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, on Fogo Island and Change Islands, a small wooden boat – or punt – that is tippy in the water is known as “cranky”. That would make a punt unwieldy for hauling nets. But today, the traditional punts are being used for racing in a gruelling 16 kilometer open-sea challenge run between the two ruggedly beautiful islands. And a cranky punt just might be the key to victory.
          Cranky is an endearing story following three teams competing to be local champions in a sea race like no other in North America. It is also a poignant look at an island way of life and a seafaring culture that has changed little over the centuries. The Globe and Mail called this film “...a delightful piece.” Produced by Christopher Richardson and Executive Produced by John Bruce (Henge Productions).

Vive La Rose: (2009) directed by Bruce Alcock.
          Alcock (born and raised in Corner Brook) returns to his Newfoundland roots with a touching song by West Coast fiddler, Emile Benoit, from the traditional Newfoundland repertoire. Filmed in natural surroundings, uniting drawings on paper with animated seaside objects, Vive La Rose is both a melancholy farewell to a lover, and an homage to the harsh lives of fishermen. Produced by Tina Ouellette (Global Mechanic) Annette Clarke and Michael Fukushima. (National Film Board of Canada.)

Denay: (2009) directed by Anne Troake.
          15 year old Denay Wolgemuth is a professional trapper, animal trainer and small-business person. The short film Denay, invites us to take a glimpse into her life and world in rural northern Alberta where loving animals and taking their lives are not mutually exclusive. Denay is one in series of video profiles of Wild Children of Alberta, commissioned by the Alberta Trappers Association. Troake will be present at the screening. 

New Townie Man: (2009) co-directed by Colleen Power and Roger Maunder
          Colleen Power and Roger Maunder approach the urban – rural divide with this visual take on Colleen Power’s “New Townie Man”, a song about being with a townie man vs. being with a bayman. Produced by Roger Maunder and Colleen Power


Harvest Queens: (2005) directed by Julia Nunes.
          Each year, farming communities across Canada celebrate the harvest with a traditional fall fair. In the northern Ontario town of New Liskeard, nothing packs a crowd like the Harvest Queen pageant – a ritual that’s been attracting town girls for generations. This film is a rural tale of true beauty that flips the traditional notion of a beauty pageant on its head. Produced by Janis Hass (Shakalaka Productions) and Peter Starr (National Film Board of Canada).

McGraths at Home and at Fishing: (1967) directed by Colin Low.
          A discussion about Fogo Island fishing, and the changes brought to the fishery by the arrival of the longliners. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada.

          Docs on the Bay on the Road gratefully acknowledges the support and participation of the Bay St. George campus of the College of the North Atlantic, M.A.C (Media Arts Centre), Henge Productions, the National Film Board of Canada, and the Research Office and Art Gallery of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.

          Docs on the Bay (Rural Life. Reel Stories.) is a documentary film festival dedicated to the presentation of documentary films which reflect the authentic traditions and experiences of contemporary rural lives and cultures in Canada, and around the world. The festival was founded by documentary filmmaker Linda Conway in 2007.

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