The NWT Film and Media Sector’s upward trajectory continues. Earlier this month Kiarash Sadigh, Director of Photography on Nahanni River of Forgiveness was nominated for Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards.
In addition to the naturally spectacular film setting that is the NWT, the nomination recognized the great work of a combined camera and drone team featuring local filmmakers and founders of Aerials North and the Dead North Film Festival Jay Bulckaert and Pablo Saravanja.
Shot in the majestic traditional territory of the Dehcho Dene, the film follows the journey of twelve Dene families who unite to build a mooseskin boat and navigate it down the mighty Nahanni River.
The boat, constructed using ancient, almost forgotten techniques, represented an incredible feat of engineering and it has been almost 100 years since one floated down the Nahanni.
River of Forgiveness Documentary Rekindles Tradition
River of Forgiveness Documentary - Photos
Lawrence Nayally who hosts a radio show on CBC North was one of the twelve Dehcho picked by Norwegian to build and paddle the mooseskin canoe.
“I immediately said yes because I understood just how significant it was as a young Indigenous person to be part of the revitalizing aspects of a mooseskin boat going down the Nahanni river.
“I know how powerful visuals can be especially for young indigenous people across the world seeing themselves portrayed in a film like this. It was important for me to demonstrate what it means to be part of revitalizing something like a mooseskin boat.”
Nayally had praise for the production crew, particularly their ability to capture every moment without getting in the way of the experience. “To be fair and honest to the filmmakers and crew; it was like they weren’t even there.”
Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian had envisioned building a mooseskin boat almost 20 years before the project materialized. Filmmaker Geoff Bowie was travelling in the Northwest Territories filming Ghosts of Futures Past: Tom Berger in the North for The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.
Putting in the ribs of the canoe.
In 2005, Bowie’s film schedule brought him to the Dehcho Annual Assembly where Norwegian approached him with the idea for a documentary about the building and paddling of a traditional mooseskin boat. It wasn’t long before Bowie began the process of securing funders to bring Grand Chief Herb Norwegian vision to reality.
The Department of Industry Tourism and Investment is pleased to have played a role in funding the project. A contribution under the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development policy helped to build the boat, while the department’s Film Rebate Program helped to cover the expenses of filming in the Dehcho.
For NWT Film Commissioner Camilla MacEachern the nomination is well deserved. “Bowie, Sadigh and crew captured an incredible experience in their documentary. With their recognition and with a land so spectacular, it’s not surprising that others are starting to look our way.”
The GNWT released its first film strategy Take One: NWT Film Strategy and Action Plan in 2015. Its recommended actions and investments were designed to improve the economic viability of the NWT film sector and position it for growth. Kiarash Sadigh’s nomination is an indicator that the GNWT” strategy has accomplished what it was set out, in part, to accomplish.
The Canadian Screen Awards will be held May 17-20, 2021.