Spanning across three generations, Union Street chronicles the ongoing effects of racism, displacement and the cultural erasure of African Canadians. While examining the systemic and political mechanisms that destroyed Hogan’s Alley in the 1960s, Vancouver’s historic Black community for almost a century is brought back into the spotlight. Train porters, speakeasies, juke joints and a thriving community all existed in the Black neighbourhood; and so did musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. The reverberations of this thriving community and its erasure are still felt, and in the face of adversity a new generation of Black Vancouverites work to rebuild community and facilitate Black joy. As they reclaim cultural space and give voice to black experiences in Vancouver, they also redefine what it means to be African-Canadian.
Supported by
Jamila Pomeroy
Canada
2022
In English and Swahili with English subtitles
Education Resources
Primary Curriculum Interests:
- Social 10
- English 9-12
- Explorations in Social Studies 11
- Urban Studies 12
- Social Justice 12
- Media Arts 10
- Directing and Script Development 11
- Film + Television 11 + 12
- New Media 11 + 12
Credits
Executive Producer
Jamila Pomeroy, Mack Stannard
Producer
Mack Stannard
Screenwriter
Jamila Pomeroy
Cinematography
Liam Mitchell
Editor
Coline Debray
Original Music
Amine Bouzaher
In-Cinema
Date |
Time |
Venue |
| February 19 | 12:30 pm | VIFF Cinema, VIFF Centre |
| February 26 | 9:30 am | VIFF Cinema, VIFF Centre |
| February 17–28 | N/A | VIFF Connect (online streaming) |
How to Book
Free for schools, capacity for all films is limited. To book, submit your request with the online form below. Our Ignite team will respond to confirm availability and complete your booking.
Questions? Contact our Ignite team at [email protected]