World Premiere
For too long, the past has been the exclusive domain of the white colonial power structure. The good news is, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift in consciousness when it comes to appreciating history from multiple viewpoints. In this zippy NFB documentary, Hayley Gray and Elad Tzadok survey the inspiring work of a handful of community archives across British Columbia. It’s an important and timely reminder that the model of a centralized repository of records and artifacts is highly problematic—indeed, the official version of our history as presented by the Royal Museum of BC, for example, has consciously or not served to propagate a white supremacist narrative.
In contrast, Gray and Tzadok talk to curators and archivists from groups traditionally marginalized or excluded communities: Indigenous, Queer, Trans, the Chinese Canadian Museum, the Tahltan Nation, the South Asian Legacy Project, and others. Along the way, we learn the secret, neglected, and untold histories of this place we only think we know.
Q&A Sept 30 & Oct 2
Media Partner
Canada
2022
English
Gender or Sexual Discrimination
Open to youth!
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
How to Divorce During the War
Screenwriter Vytus is left reeling when on successive days his wife demands a divorce and Russia invades Ukraine. Blazevicius' masterful feature emerges as an engrossing satire about virtue signaling, nationalism, good intentions, and survival modes.
Kindergarten
In this charming Quebecois documentary, we are invited to look closely at the interactions of children between the ages of 1 and 5, a period in which they are just beginning to learn about social interactions. And yet how much they resemble ourselves!
Chronovisor
A device so sensitive it can pick up emanations from history, the Chronovisor caused a ripple in scientific circles in the latter half of the 20th century, although most dismissed it as a hoax. But why would anyone want to suppress a hoax?
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
A Sad and Beautiful World
This Lebanese love story chronicles the romance between a level-headed businesswoman and a romantic restauranteur across several decades in wartorn Beirut. It's funny, charming, melancholy and you'll feel it all.
Credits
Producer
Teri Snelgrove
Screenwriter
Hayley Gray, Elad Tzadok
Cinematography
Kaayla Whachell
Editor
Aynsley Baldwin, Elad Tzadok
Original Music
Edo Van Breemen, Johannes Winkler
Directors
Photo by Kristine Cofsky
Hayley Gray
Hayley Gray is a Vancouver-based director, writer, and producer. A graduate of Dalhousie University and Vancouver Film School, she has written and directed documentary, narrative, and commercial work. Gray’s films have screened at festivals around the world and aired on Telus Optik, the Knowledge Network, CBC, and Air Canada.
Photo by Collin Morrison
Elad Tzadok
Elad Tzadok is an award-winning director, producer, and editor with a background in development and marketing. Born and raised in Israel, Tzadok moved to Vancouver, where he graduated from the Film Production Program at UBC and co-founded Scopitone Films. He has produced, directed, and edited music videos, commercials, narrative films, and documentaries.