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Unarmed Verses

This feature documentary presents a thoughtful and vivid portrait of a community facing imposed relocation. At the centre of the story is a remarkably astute and luminous 12-year-old black girl whose poignant observations about life, the soul, and the power of art give voice to those rarely heard in society. Unarmed Verses is a cinematic rendering of our universal need for self-expression and belonging.
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This feature documentary presents a thoughtful and vivid portrait of a community facing imposed relocation. At the centre of the story is a remarkably astute and luminous 12-year-old black girl whose poignant observations about life, the soul, and the power of art give voice to those rarely heard in society. Unarmed Verses is a cinematic rendering of our universal need for self-expression and belonging.

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Social Issues Urbanism Music All subjects
Arts Black Communities in Canada All channels
  • writer
    Charles Officer
  • director
    Charles Officer
  • producer
    Lea Marin
  • executive producer
    Anita Lee
  • director of photography
    Mike McLaughlin
  • editor
    Andres Landau
  • editorial consultant
    Ricardo Acosta
  • sound recordist
    Mike Filippov
  • original music
    Menalon
  • featuring
    Francine Valentine
    Alva Valentine
    Keturah Francis
    Ryan Johnson
    Kenny Johnson
    Lavane Kelly
    Carleen Robinson
    Krystle Chance
    Q'Mal Labad-Workman
    Harry Knazan
    Des Rouges
    Jaydahmann
    Sydney Duff
    The Villaways Community
  • production supervisor
    Mark Wilson
  • studio administrator
    Stefanie Brantner
  • aerial photography
    Orbis Aerials
  • additional cinematography
    Charles Officer
    Greg Biskup
    Blake Hannahson
    Adrian Vieni
  • 1st assistant camera
    Chris Goll
  • digital media technician
    Zachary Cox
    Curry Leamen
  • additional sound recording
    Jason Milligan
    Scott Tremblay
  • production coordinator
    Andrew Martin-Smith
    Natalie van Dine
  • community liaison officer
    Carleen Robinson
  • technical coordinator
    Marcus Matyas
  • production manager
    Lori Chodos
    Nadine Simunic
  • assistant editor
    Curry Leamen
    Zoya Rezaie
  • online editor
    Serge Verreault
  • re-recording mixer
    Serge Boivin
  • sound facilities
    Tattersall Sound & Picture
  • sound designer
    David McCallum
  • sound fx editor
    Claire Dobson
    Krystin Hunter
  • marketing manager
    Melissa Wheeler
  • publicist
    Pat Dillon
  • legal counsel
    Peter Kallianiotis

Education

Ages 13 to 18

Notes

Ideal for encouraging students to use art to explore social issues. Use poetry, fiction, painting, music or another art form to create an artistic piece that explores a social issue affecting your life, family, neighbourhood or community. Describe your creative process, the themes you wanted to explore and the reaction that others had to the piece. Then create a second piece. How did others’ comments affect or influence your second piece? What surprised you about your own message and process?

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Unarmed Verses
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