John Ware Reclaimed

John Ware Reclaimed


                                John Ware Reclaimed
| 1 h 12 min
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Please note: This film contains explicit language. Viewer discretion is advised.

John Ware Reclaimed follows filmmaker Cheryl Foggo on her quest to re-examine the mythology surrounding John Ware, the Black cowboy who settled in Alberta, Canada, before the turn of the 20th century. Foggo’s research uncovers who this iconic figure might have been, and what his legacy means in terms of anti-Black racism, both past and present.

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John Ware Reclaimed, Cheryl Foggo, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • writer
    Cheryl Foggo
  • director
    Cheryl Foggo
  • producer
    Bonnie Thompson
    David Christensen
  • director of photography
    Douglas Munro
  • sound recordist
    Francesco Russo
    Gary Bruckner
    Stephen Anderson
  • editor
    Margot McMaster
  • sound editor
    John Laquinta
  • composer
    Alec Harrison
  • cast
    Fred Whitfield
  • featuring
    Bertrand Bickersteth
    Dr. David Breen
    Janelle Cooper
    Jesse Lipscombe
    Kirsten Alter
    Kris Demeanor
    Lawrence Hill
    Michelle Thrush
    Miranda Martini
    Dawne Slater
    Don Mallory Jr
    Jess Jenkins
    Lance Evans
    Dr. Lindsay Amundsen-Meyer
    Mary Mallory
    Pat Fisher
    Richard Foggo
    Steve Fisher
    Wanda Tailfeathers
  • production manager
    Susan Bristow
    Darin Wilson
  • location manager
    Patrick Cox
    Steve Fisher
  • makeup
    Angela McIntosh
    Amanda Rye
    Libertee Muzyka
  • hair
    Angela McIntosh
    Amanda Rye
  • additional cinematography
    Alexander Snow
    Scott Imler
    René Collins
    Jack Allred
  • researcher
    Kathy Fisher
    Katie Pollock
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • production assistant
    Ami Beni Kenzo
  • musician
    Kris Demeanor
    Corb Lund
    Miranda Martini
  • animation
    Justin Stephenson
  • digital animation
    Even Stevens Inc.
  • compositing
    Even Stevens Inc.
  • animation compositing
    Justin Stephenson
  • colour
    Justin Stephenson
  • cel animation
    Solis Animation
  • cel animator
    Les Solis
  • cel illustrator
    Les Solis
  • animation backgrounds
    Michael Concannon
  • cel animation producer
    Leah Solis
  • storyboard
    Gregory McEvoy
  • photo restoration
    Klyment Tan
  • colourist
    Darren Bierman
  • narration recording
    Chris Vail
  • dialogue mix
    John Laquinta
  • re-recording mixer
    John Laquinta
  • background editor
    Regan Kuemper
  • sound effects editor
    Regan Kuemper
  • studio operations manager
    Darin Clausen
  • marketing manager
    Kelly Fox
  • production supervisor
    Esther Viragh
  • senior production coordinator
    April Dunsmore
  • production coordinator
    Ginette D'Silva
    Hilda Amponsah
    Faye Yoneda
    Tanis Redcrow
    Jasmine Pullukatt
  • program administrator
    Devon Supeene
    Bree Beach
  • legal counsel
    Christian Pitchen
  • Additional vocalizations
    Jesse Lipscombe
    Zoe Theodorou

  • Jerzy

    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
  • janechese

    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
  • None

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

    None, 20 Feb 2021
  • None

    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
  • Creekbed

    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
  • None

    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
  • None

    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
  • None

    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
  • None

    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
  • Jacksosa

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

    Jacksosa, 8 Feb 2021
  • None

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

    None, 7 Feb 2021
  • bisou

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

    bisou, 3 Feb 2021

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