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Hand.Line.Cod

Set in the coldest waters surrounding Newfoundland’s rugged Fogo Island, this short film follows a group of “people of the fish”—traditional fishers who catch cod live by hand, one at a time, by hook and line. Filmmaker Justin Simms takes viewers deep inside the world of these brave fishermen. Travel with them from the early morning hours, spend time on the ocean, and witness the intricacies of a 500-year-old tradition that’s making a comeback.
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Set in the coldest waters surrounding Newfoundland’s rugged Fogo Island, this short film follows a group of “people of the fish”—traditional fishers who catch cod live by hand, one at a time, by hook and line. Filmmaker Justin Simms takes viewers deep inside the world of these brave fishermen. Travel with them from the early morning hours, spend time on the ocean, and witness the intricacies of a 500-year-old tradition that’s making a comeback.

Fishing and Hunting Industries All subjects
  • writer
    Justin Simms
  • director
    Justin Simms
  • director of photography
    Andrew MacCormack
  • editor
    Justin Simms
    Andrew MacCormack
  • producer
    Annette Clarke
  • original music
    Ian Foster
  • sound design
    Catherine Van Der Donckt
  • cinematographer
    A A Scott McClellan
  • additional camera
    Nigel Markham
    Justin Simms
  • drone operator
    Michael Frere
  • foley artist
    Lise Wedlock
  • accordion
    Aaron Collis
  • facility technician
    Bern Hammond
  • online editor
    Steve Cook
  • colourist
    Steve Cook
  • production assistant
    Penny Cofield
  • assistant editor
    Chris MacIntosh
  • technical coordinator
    Jean-François Laprise
  • post-production assistant
    Mylène Augustin
  • transcriptionist
    Willow Kean
  • re-recording
    Serge Boivin
  • marketing manager
    Melissa Wheeler
  • senior production coordinator
    Kelly Davis
  • legal counsel
    Dominique Aubry
  • studio administrator
    Leslie Anne Poyntz
  • executive producer
    Annette Clarke

Education

Ages 13 to 18
School subjects
Family Studies/Home Economics - Consumer Awareness Family Studies/Home Economics - Food and Nutrition Geography - Natural Resources

This short documentary shares the story of traditional cod fishermen in Newfoundland who catch cod by hand. Ideal for discussion and research on the economics of the cost and worth of cod that’s hand-caught rather than in mass, industrial fashion. Research the sources of our food supply. Research the differences between traditional and mass production. Research other food that is sourced from traditional sources.

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Hand.Line.Cod
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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