Haida Modern Explained

Haida Modern
Director:Charles Wilkinson
Producer:Tina Schliessler
Charles Wilkinson
Kevin Eastwood
Cinematography:Charles Wilkinson
Editing:Tina Schliessler
Charles Wilkinson
Studio:Shore Films
Optic Nerve Films
Distributor:Knowledge Network
Runtime:85 Minutes
Country:Canada
Language:English

Haida Modern is a 2019 Canadian documentary film about the art and activism of Haida artist Robert Davidson. The film was directed by Charles Wilkinson, filmed, produced and edited by Wilkinson and Tina Schliessler and executive produced by Kevin Eastwood. It premiered at the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival.

Summary

The film traces Davidson's artistic career from his youth in Haida Gwaii and Vancouver studying with masters such as Bill Reid, and follows his education in the arts and in the history of the Indigenous Haida people from whom he is descended.[1] It highlights the summer of 1969 when Davidson carved and raised a totem pole in his home village for the first time in nearly a century, marking the start of a "renaissance" for Indigenous art in popular culture.[2] [3] Robertson looks back on his 50 year career, his struggles as a child of the Canadian Indian residential school system,[4] and his work as an activist for climate change and human rights.

Release

Haida Modern had its world premiere at the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival[5] followed by screenings at numerous other International Film Festivals.[6] It was the Closing Night Film at the 2020 Victoria Film Festival and was an official selection at the 2020 Hot Docs International Documentary Festival but was only screened online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] It had its broadcast television premiere on British Columbia's Knowledge Network on June 2, 2020, accompanied by a VOD release on Knowledge Network's streaming platform.[8]

Reception

The film was received favourably by audiences who saw it at film festivals, winning multiple "audience choice" awards: the Super Channel People's Choice Award for Most Popular Canadian Documentary at the Vancouver International Film Festival[9] and the Audience Choice Award for Best Canadian Documentary at the Available Light Film Festival.[10]

Critical response was similarly favourable. Dana Gee of The Vancouver Sun called the film "a fascinating, entertaining and eye-opening look at the world-renowned artist"[11] and in discussing her picks from the Vancouver International Film Festival on Global News, she said Haida Modern was "such a great movie - I loved it."[12]

Marsha Lederman of The Globe and Mail wrote: "What this film cleverly and beautifully lays out is a deeper argument – that Davidson was a critical force in bringing Haida culture back to his people..."[13]

Awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Van Evra . Jennifer . New film highlights the stunning artwork and activism of Indigenous trailblazer Robert Davidson . 9 September 2020 . CBC.ca . 11 October 2019.
  2. News: Woodend . Dorothy . In 'Haida Modern,' the Story of the First Totem Pole Raised in Over a Century . 3 September 2020 . The Tyee . 2 June 2020.
  3. News: Van Evra . Jennifer . New film highlights the stunning artwork and activism of Indigenous trailblazer Robert Davidson . 9 September 2020 . CBC.ca . 11 October 2019.
  4. News: Shepherd . Jeremy . Haida Modern profiles master sculptor Robert Davidson . 3 September 2020 . North Shore News.
  5. News: Mack . Adrian . VIFF 2019: Robert Davidson creates a Haida Modern world . 3 September 2020 . The Georgia Straight . 26 September 2019.
  6. News: Devlin . Mike . Haida Modern documentary focuses on artist Davidson's career . 24 January 2021 . Times Colonist . 13 February 2020.
  7. News: Wilner . Norm . Hot Docs announces 2020 lineup, but you still can't see much of it . 23 January 2021 . NOW Toronto . 14 April 2020.
  8. News: Woodend . Dorothy . In 'Haida Modern,' the Story of the First Totem Pole Raised in Over a Century . 3 September 2020 . The Tyee . 2 June 2020.
  9. Web site: VIFF announces 2019 People's Choice, Impact and Eco Warrior Award Winners . archive.viff.org . VIFF.org . 6 January 2021 . 17 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191017160427/https://archive.viff.org/e-blasts/viff/2019/media/15_VIFF2019ClosingAwards_MR.html . dead .
  10. Web site: ALFF Audience Choice Award winners 2020 . Yukonfilmsociety.com . Yukon Film Society . 7 January 2021.
  11. News: Gee . Dana . Haida Modern captures beauty in work and life of great artist . 24 January 2021 . The Vancouver Sun . 29 September 2019.
  12. News: Gee . Dana . New movie review: Judy and 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival . 6 January 2021 . Global News . 27 September 2019.
  13. News: Lederman . Marsha . Haida Modern beautifully explores how Robert Davidson brought Haida culture back to its people . 6 January 2021 . The Globe and Mail . 30 September 2019.
  14. Web site: 2021 Leo Award Nominess & Winners . leoawards.com . Leo Awards . 9 July 2021 . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220115225705/https://secure.leoawards.com/2021/nominees_and_winners/nominees_and_winners_by_program_2021.php#Feature_Length_Documentary . dead .
  15. Web site: ALFF Audience Choice Award winners 2020 . Yukonfilmsociety.com . Yukon Film Society . 7 January 2021.
  16. Web site: Nominees Announced for 19th Annual DGC Awards . Newswire.ca . NewsWire . 7 January 2021.
  17. Web site: UNVEILING OF THE WINNERS OF THE 38TH EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FILMS ON ART (FIFA) . artfifa.com . Le FIFA . 7 January 2021.
  18. Web site: VIFF announces 2019 People's Choice, Impact and Eco Warrior Award Winners . archive.viff.org . VIFF.org . 6 January 2021 . 17 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191017160427/https://archive.viff.org/e-blasts/viff/2019/media/15_VIFF2019ClosingAwards_MR.html . dead .

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