The Washing of Tears

The Washing of Tears

| 54 min
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In 1903, a unique and magnificent Whaler's shrine was shipped from Friendly Cove, on the far northwest coast of Canada, to the Museum of Natural History, New York. The shrine had lain at the cultural heart of the Mowachaht, whale hunters and fishermen who had lived at Friendly Cove for thousands of years. In the 1960s and '70s, all but one family left their ancient village--they moved to Vancouver Island, to a new site under the walls of a pulp mill. They suffered extremes of pollution, violence, alcohol.... Then, in the 1990s, in defiance of the agony of their history and to overcome the grief of the present, the Mowachaht and their neighbours, the Muchalaht, revived their songs and dances, revisited their shrine and rediscovered their pride.

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The Washing of Tears, Hugh Brody, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • director
    Hugh Brody
  • script
    Hugh Brody
  • producer
    Gillian Darling
    Cari Green
    George Johnson
  • associate producer
    Barb Cranmer
  • cinematography
    Kirk Tougas
  • sound
    Chris Aikenhead
    Caroline Goldie
    David Husby
    Michael McGee
  • editing
    Haida Paul
  • sound editing
    Haida Paul
    Alison Grace
  • re-recording
    Shelley Craig

  • None

    It is gratifying to watch this documentary. I have had the luck to befriend members of the Muchalet/Mowachaht peoples, spending as much of my time as I can on Nootka island. They have treated my partner and I with great respect. Despite the fact that we are interlopers, we have never been made to feel unwelcome in their homeland. They are a great people of vision and kindness and humour...while it would be a mistake to generalize or idealize any community, they have a great deal to be proud of and I believe they have only begun to restore their culture and community. They are great and will grow even greater. I see a time where the Whaler's shrine returns to its rightful place, and the people find prosperity and peace in their hearts. And I hope to share in their joy as their neighbour and allie in their homeland

    None, 29 Sep 2019

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