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Finding Macpherson

This feature doc tells the story of the improbable friendship between acclaimed Quebec singer Félix Leclerc and the intriguing Frank Randolph Macpherson. A chemical engineer from Jamaica, Macpherson immigrated to Quebec in 1917 and was the inspiration for the popular song that Leclerc named after him. But this is also a story about memory: it was animator Martine Chartrand’s memory of this song that compelled her to create the striking animated short MacPherson, made by filming paintings on glass using 35mm film. A sympathetic look at an artist at work, Finding Macpherson takes audiences on a personal journey, exploring the …
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This feature doc tells the story of the improbable friendship between acclaimed Quebec singer Félix Leclerc and the intriguing Frank Randolph Macpherson. A chemical engineer from Jamaica, Macpherson immigrated to Quebec in 1917 and was the inspiration for the popular song that Leclerc named after him. But this is also a story about memory: it was animator Martine Chartrand’s memory of this song that compelled her to create the striking animated short MacPherson, made by filming paintings on glass using 35mm film. A sympathetic look at an artist at work, Finding Macpherson takes audiences on a personal journey, exploring the imperceptible yet powerful connections that bind us to each other.

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Film and Video Arts Music All subjects
  • script
    Serge Giguère
  • research
    Serge Giguère
  • director
    Serge Giguère
  • editing
    Annie Jean
  • producer
    Nicole Hubert
    Sylvie Van Brabant
    Colette Loumède
  • camera
    Serge Giguère
  • sound
    Serge Giguère
  • sound design
    Atelier Claude Beaugrand
  • original music
    Bertrand Chénier
  • script consultant
    Francine Tougas
  • additional camera
    Katerine Giguère
  • additional sound
    Catherine Van Der Donckt
  • archival research
    Odette Désormeaux
  • rights clearances
    Odette Désormeaux
  • sound editing
    Claude Beaugrand
  • dialogue editing
    Francine Poirier
  • musician
    Bertrand Chénier
    Nitai Nitidem
    Julie Trudeau
  • foley
    Lise Wedlock
  • foley recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
  • technical support - editing
    Pierre Dupont
    Isabelle Painchaud
    Patrick Trahan
  • online editing
    Denis Pilon
  • titles
    Gaspard Gaudreau
  • computer graphics
    Mélanie Bouchard
  • re-recording
    Jean Paul Vialard
  • translation
    Nahanie Grenier
    Erica Pomerance
  • subtitling
    Nahanie Grenier
    Erica Pomerance
  • legal advisor
    Remy Khouzam
  • music rights clearance
    Simon Henri
  • marketing manager
    François Jacques
  • marketing manager - assistance
    Catherine Benoît
  • administrator
    Sia Koukoulas
    Johanne Dubuc
  • production coordinator
    Hélène Regimbal
  • administrative assistant
    Lise Lévesque
    Larissa Christoforo
  • technical coordinator
    Richard Cliche
  • associate producer
    Maryse Chapdelaine
    Mélanie Lasnier
  • development executive producer
    Yves Bisaillon
  • executive producer
    Colette Loumède
  • coordinator
    Nathalie Perreault
    Amélie Lambert-Bouchard
  • technical supervision
    Théo Van Brabant
  • technical direction
    Vanessa Abadhir
  • chief accountant
    Lorette Torelli
  • assistant accountant
    Monique Rousselet
  • participant
    Arnold Fay
    Michel Leclerc
    Eileen Jourdain
    Pierre Landry
    Jean-Marie Leclerc
    Louey Parent
    Georgie Ravary
    Alanis Obomsawin

Education

Ages 13 to 18
School subjects
Arts Education - Music Diversity - Black Studies History and Citizenship Education - Culture and Currents of Thought (1500-present) History and Citizenship Education - Quebec Society Since 1980 Media Education - Film Animation

Ideal for essays and debates on African-Canadian history and cultural history. Why is the story of Frank Macpherson compelling for animator Martine Chartrand? Compare her animated film with the song by Félix Leclerc and the history recounted in this film. How do the different versions tell different stories? Discuss the role of the artist in telling stories of our past. Why is it important for Chartrand to create her film? What value does it have for Canadians?

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Finding Macpherson
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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