Haida Modern

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.

Haida Modern
International Festival Poster
Directed byCharles Wilkinson
Produced byTina Schliessler
Charles Wilkinson
Kevin Eastwood
CinematographyCharles Wilkinson
Edited byTina Schliessler
Charles Wilkinson
Production
companies
Shore Films
Optic Nerve Films
Distributed byKnowledge Network
Release date
Running time
85 Minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

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

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