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.
Presented by
Canada
2022
In English and Swahili with English subtitles
Depictions of Racism, Coarse Language
Education Guide
Curriculum Interests
The Education Guide will be available soon.
• Social 9+10
• Explorations in Social Studies 11
• Urban Studies 12
• Media Arts 10
• Directing and Script Development 11
• Film + Television 11 + 12
• New Media 11+12
Director
Jamila Pomeroy
Jamila Pomeroy is a Kenyan-Canadian WGC screenwriter and TWUC internationally-published writer with experience spanning print, new media and film. Her work often champions historically underrepresented people and narratives, while generating both accessible, intellectually-charged and comedic storylines.
She has created scripted and factual work for networks and publications like CBC, BBC, Telus Originals, Network Entertainment, Quibi, and Showtime. Union Street is her first feature-length documentary as a director.
In-Cinema & VIFF Connect
Date |
Time |
Venue |
| Thursday, October 5 | 12:30 pm | International Village, Theatre 10 |
| Available September 28-October 6 | VIFF Connect | |
How to Book
Booking is now closed.
Questions? Contact our Ignite team at [email protected]
Credits
Executive Producer
Jamila Pomeroy, Mack Stannard
Producer
Mack Stannard
Screenwriter
Jamila Pomeroy
Cinematography
Liam Mitchell
Editor
Coline Debray
Original Music
Amine Bouzaher