John Ware Reclaimed

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  There is an important issue that is missing in this documentary as to why John Ware was forced to leave his ranch in Millarville. It looks to me that the importance of being  "politically  correct" didn't allow Cherryl Foggo to fully investigate the "real" life of John Ware.  This documentary in some sense is confused.

  Jerzy, 1 Feb 2022

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  Grateful for all the work Ms Foggo did in making John Ware alive to the public. I first heard of him when I visited the Glenbow museum in Calgary and found this documentary to be a very interesting story.

  janechese, 4 Aug 2021

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  Is it possible to know even less about John Ware after, than before watching the documentary?

  None, 20 Feb 2021

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  Great documentary! We’ve known about John Ware for a long time. He’s one of my husband’s heroes. I learned so much more about the “real” John Ware from the film. The made up story by McEwan didn’t tell the true story of the extraordinary man who was John Ware. The use of the “N” word in that book is especially grievous. I don’t believe it should have been, nor should it still be used, to commemorate Mr. Ware. It must be changed. The doc took us to the authentic life and times of John Ware. Thank you for all of that. It’s an important part of Canadian history.

  None, 16 Feb 2021

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  Would echo the other reviewer's comment: VERY disappointing. Especially after the recent hype from NFB, expected more than this. One wonders what the value-added was in this doc? An out-of-place animation turns into a re-creative vignette, to a music video (for real!), back to an animation and even black cards for an ending. Viewers are left asking what the story is, only to realize it's more than an hour they will never get back of their lives, either way. Harsh, but harsher to have to sit through and watch. Omg.

  Creekbed, 14 Feb 2021

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  This is a wonderful and very important piece of film-making that left me both thrilled and emotionally drained. I went to Bowness High at around the same time as Cheryl and Richard Foggo and I genuinely appreciate the insight they provide about being visible minorities in a predominantly white European community. I am a long-time BC resident, journalist and publisher, but am contacting my friends and family members in Alberta to commend this film to them. We can all learn much from it. Thanks to Cheryl for taking on this project and creating such an amazing documentary.

  None, 13 Feb 2021

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  Disappointed. I grew up in Ware country and stil live here. There isn't enough story about how much this man did to help establish the ranching community in southern Alberta. I've read John Wares cow country, loved it and very disappointed that the book and author were discredited in this film. It's too bad, we need more films about Alberta history.

  None, 13 Feb 2021

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  Watched this and thought it to be a beautiful remembrance of this gentle Alberta pioneer. Told with reverence, love and respect we see a different Canada than we were taught in school. I loved that Lawrence Hill and other well known Canadian artists talked about the erased history and culture of Afro Canadians. I also respected the fact that the Blackfoot people knew and respected this man. They understood the racism white people leveled against the Afro Canadians. Canadians really need to reflect more on their racist past. We have so much history to learn that doesn’t involve white men.

  None, 10 Feb 2021

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  I must say I was dissappointed. I grew up in John Ware country, Millicent, outside of Duchess and have always been aware of his story, visited his historic cabin, read the local history accounts and such. None of this was mentioned or queried there was no deep dive really. Cheryl came up empty handed (family did not reveal much, archeo dig did not either) The family records of his cowboy /ranchers cohorts have much to say..John's cowboy cultural experiences, among cohorts vs his experiences in Calgary bar or Medicine Hat hotel. His documented achievements are not covered either. So what was the film really about?

  None, 8 Feb 2021

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  I enjoyed this immensely....well done...

  Jacksosa, 8 Feb 2021

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  Stompin' Tom Connors wrote a song about him: "Cowboy Johnny Ware" https://youtu.be/DPFe79gO8dY

  None, 7 Feb 2021

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  Excellent film! Helped with my understanding and knowledge of being Black on the prairies. Thank you.

  bisou, 3 Feb 2021

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