Our Tagona projects have moved forward on various fronts, as transcendent autumn has given way to the Sault winter. Ace cinematographer Curtis Petersen and partner Andrew have been capturing images for Clergue's Phoenix inclusion in this decidedly 'in-between' season at various sites....we ready ourselves for the major Tagona extension into a ground-breaking First Nations trilogy, with Tyrone Souliere and Amy Boyer on board, and our World War I book projects are readied for their pending 2015 publication.
Last week Andrew and cinematographer Curtis Petersen took to Lake Superior, filming Ojibwa fisher captain Ian Agawa as he worked his whitefish nets. A small craft, physical work, a family's life and calling, the great elements of water and sky - all captured in one afternoon on majestic Batchewana Bay.
Ian's catch is destined for Mill Market, where he sells fish to a Sault community that has embraced its twice-weekly hustle and bustle as a city meeting place. As many as 5000 people pass through the Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The parallels are as profound as they are inescapable - the traditional Ojibwa people's gatherings along the St. Mary's River every autumn to catch whitefish, and the 21st century Agawa selling his fish on the same spot. Ian and his family are one of many Phoenix elements that we hope will inspire imagination, and what might yet be. The glorious autumn has other, subtle joys. A favourite Japanese maple at Bryan's place... With the first Clergue's Phoenix documentary film shooting underway last weekend in Sault Ste Marie, the 14 months planning and preparation Andrew and I have devoted to this wonderful work since initial project conception somehow seems much more real. Like Christmas morning, keen anticipation gives way to excitement ....we know the project is airborne at last.
Under the able direction of international film industry veterans Curtis Petersen (PPI) and David Mitchell (Riverbank Productions), terrific footage of Professor Duncan McDowell delivering his Clergue and Consolidated Superior history presentations was secured. Vibrant Mill Market scenes captured the bustle and vendor activity in this remarkable thrice-weekly community commercial and social hub created and promoted by Mill Square developers Riversedge. The early October colours framing the gorgeous River, and quintessential Canadian Sault autumn scenes give Phoenix some stunning visual backdrops. Our filming will continue until March 2015....our mid-2015 North American commercial Phoenix release will follow. Exciting times.... |
AuthorOccasional observations from Bryan Davies, Tagona Partner and Creative Director ArchivesCategories |