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Dream Magic

2008 6 min
Coming soon

This revealing portrait of NFB filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin was shown at a gala ceremony in 2008, where Obomsawin received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Her work has captured some of the most startling events in Canadian history, including the armed standoff between the Canadian Army and Mohawk warriors in 1993. Her films cross a spectrum of social issues, but they are always human. Obomsawin explains in the interview, "For me, a real documentary is when you're really listening to somebody; they are the ones that will tell you what the story is, not you."

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Dream Magic

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This revealing portrait of NFB filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin was shown at a gala ceremony in 2008, where Obomsawin received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Her work has captured some of the most startling events in Canadian history, including the armed standoff between the Canadian Army and Mohawk warriors in 1993. Her films cross a spectrum of social issues, but they are always human. Obomsawin explains in the interview, "For me, a real documentary is when you're really listening to somebody; they are the ones that will tell you what the story is, not you."

  • recipient
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • writer
    Katerina Cizek
  • director
    Katerina Cizek
  • editor
    Katerina Cizek
  • producer
    Gerry Flahive
  • cinematographer
    Philippe Amiguet
  • animator
    Charuvi Agrawal
  • sound recordist
    Raymond Marcoux
  • assistant camera
    Sébastien Cassou
  • grip
    Sébastien Cassou
  • lighting
    Sébastien Cassou
  • production manager
    Amanda Coles
  • production coordinator
    Sarah Arruda
  • production supervisor
    Mark Wilson
  • technical coordinator
    Branden Bratuhin
    Steve Hallé
  • assistant editor
    Christopher Logan
  • online editor
    Jeff Fowler
  • colourist
    Jeff Fowler
  • sound editor
    Steve Payne
  • re-recording mixer
    Dustin Harris
  • original music composer
    Anne Bourne
  • original music performer
    Anne Bourne
  • music recording
    Philip Strong
  • research
    Katherine Kasirer
  • rights clearances
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • centre administrator
    Brigitte Sachse
  • budget officer
    Joanne Forrest
  • production secretary
    Renée Lottridge
  • executive producer
    Silva Basmajian

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Education

Ages 12 to 18

Indigenous Studies - Arts
Indigenous Studies - Identity/Society
Media Education - Film and Video Production

Challenge students to encapsulate the philosophy of the woman in the film. Discuss ideas about culture, personal freedom, art, animals, religion, astrology, aboriginals, and the subconscious. Discuss filmmaking as a means of storytelling, and music as an expression of the soul.