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Speakers for the Dead
2000
49 min
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This documentary reveals some of the hidden history of Blacks in Canada. In the 1930s in rural Ontario, a farmer buried the tombstones of a Black cemetery to make way for a potato patch. In the 1980s, descendants of the original settlers, Black and White, came together to restore the cemetery, but there were hidden truths no one wanted to discuss. Deep racial wounds were opened. Scenes of the cemetery excavation, interviews with residents and re-enactments—including one of a baseball game where a broken headstone is used for home plate—add to the film's emotional intensity.
This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
This documentary reveals some of the hidden history of Blacks in Canada. In the 1930s in rural Ontario, a farmer buried the tombstones of a Black cemetery to make way for a potato patch. In the 1980s, descendants of the original settlers, Black and White, came together to restore the cemetery, but there were hidden truths no one wanted to discuss. Deep racial wounds were opened. Scenes of the cemetery excavation, interviews with residents and re-enactments—including one of a baseball game where a broken headstone is used for home plate—add to the film's emotional intensity.
This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
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directorDavid SutherlandJennifer Holness
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producerPeter Starr
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executive producerLouise Lore
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director of photographyCarolyn Wong
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editorDenis Takacs
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sound recordistSanjay Mehta
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original music scoreTom Third
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post-production sound facilityTrackworks Inc.
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sound editorTim Roberts
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mixerTim Roberts
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dialogue editorDavid Drainie Taylor
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assistant sound editorTimothy Mehlenbacher
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foley artistJohn F. Thompson
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foley engineerSteve Pollett
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production supervisionKemp ArchibaldJames Fiege
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assistant production supervisorMichael Sardella
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program administratorIda Di Fruscia
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administrative assistantJoanne Forrest
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production administrative assistantCatherine Fletcher
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production assistantAkhaji Zakiya
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technical assistantKevin Drysdale
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castMiriam DavisSandra HolnessDavid HolnessWayne BlackfordEnid BarnetCaleb McMullenChristopher M. QuinnIrving ThomlinsonAndrew BeeRebecca M. QuinnJason FriesenLeon SutherlandCorey Warren
Ages 14 to 17
School subjects
This is a troubling documentary about racism, lies and secrets in a small Ontario town that tried to hide its segregationist past. The relative nature of history is highlighted here, and is an interesting subject to explore so as to develop students’ critical thinking skills. Compare history textbooks from earlier periods with today’s. Are there references to slavery, to rejection of and contempt for blacks by Canadians?