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Hard Light

This feature film uses Michael Crummey’s seminal piece of Newfoundland literature to examine cultural change and modern relationships. As in Crummey’s collection of poems and stories, there is a decisive theme of the artist investigating his ancestors to discover himself. Filmmaker Justin Simms offers viewers a timely reflection on compassion, storytelling and identity.
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This feature film uses Michael Crummey’s seminal piece of Newfoundland literature to examine cultural change and modern relationships. As in Crummey’s collection of poems and stories, there is a decisive theme of the artist investigating his ancestors to discover himself. Filmmaker Justin Simms offers viewers a timely reflection on compassion, storytelling and identity.

Literature and Language - Canada Social Issues All subjects
  • writer
    Justin Simms
  • director
    Justin Simms
  • producer
    Annette Clarke
  • editor
    Andrew MacCormack
  • cast
    Darryl Hopkins
    Ruth Lawrence
    Des Walsh
    Willow Kean
    Jacob Keiley
    Clare Marie Power-Maunder
    Ida Sinéad Power-Maunder
    Christopher Templeman Cleary
  • original music composer
    Jeff Johnston
  • story consultant
    Michael Crummey
  • director of photography
    Justin Simms
  • additional cinematography
    Andrew MacCormack
  • sound recordist
    Bart Simpson
  • additional sound recordist
    Alex Salter
    Phillip Cairns
    Colleen Power
  • sound design
    Lori Clarke
  • production manager
    Lynn Andrews
  • 1st assistant camera
    Christian Sparkes
    Samuel Pryse-Phillips
  • key grip
    Sean Doran
  • set designer
    Ane Christensen Burwell
    Jerry Evans
  • makeup
    Daphne Thomas
  • costume designer
    Peggy Hogan
  • music theme
    Mark Bragg
  • infographics
    Chris Darlington
  • title design
    Chris Darlington
  • production supervisor
    Candice Desormeaux
  • transcriptionist
    Elizabeth Brown
  • post-production coordinator
    Steve Hallé
  • online editor
    Doug Woods
  • colourist
    Doug Woods
  • music recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
  • musician
    Sheila Hannigan
    Pierre Côté
    François Pilon
    Jeff Johnston
  • re-recording
    Shelley Craig
  • production coordinator
    Stephanie Coolen
    Vanessa Larsen
    Hilary Thomson
    Aimee Wall
  • marketing
    Leslie Stafford
  • centre administrator
    John William Lutz
  • executive producer
    Ravida Din
    Kent Martin

Education

Ages 13 to 18
School subjects
English Language Arts - CanLit Family Studies/Home Economics - Family Diversity and Challenges History - Canada 1946-1991 Social Studies - Social History
In Hard Light, Michael Crummey offers personal memories that make it clear his family history has a direct impact on his writing. How does this affect our understanding and interpretation of the stories presented in the film? Highlight the themes that recur in Crummey’s work such as life and death, happiness and sadness, or fishing and living off the land. How does Crummey’s personal journey connect to these themes?

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Hard Light
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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