-Russian war documentary invites protests-
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. A victim of sexual assault leads her own investigation, a trans woman breaks barriers as a rhythm and blues singer, and a feminist creates a new world of advertising in the ‘60s.
“These award-winning stories of inspiring women are even more poignant this year as the Lunenburg Doc Fest renamed its national award to honour the event’s co-founder,” says Lunenburg Doc Fest chairperson, Bruce MacCormack.
The Pamela Segger Canadian Documentary Award ($1,000) was created this year to recognize Pamela Segger, founder and executive director of the festival until her passing early this year.
“Pamela put the Lunenburg Doc Fest on the global film stage and gave critical support to many Canadian filmmakers. This annual award is created in her name to celebrate the significant contribution she made to the Lunenburg Doc Fest.”
And the winner is, Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story. It’s the story of trans soul and R&B singer Jackie Shane whose brilliant career lit up stages from Los Angeles to her home base in Toronto in the 1960s. Equal to her talent was her courage and steadfast determination to live her life without compromise.
“It is a unique untold story about a person living unapologetically as themself at a time when there was no understanding around or vocabulary for trans people,” said the jury.
Any Other Way was directed by Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee.
“We’re honoured and deeply grateful to receive the Pamela Segger Canadian Documentary Award from the Lunenburg Doc Fest. We can’t tell you how much it means to have Jackie’s voice amplified and heard in Atlantic Canada! We hope her voice and her music continue to reverberate. Thank you for recognizing Jackie’s powerful story, message, strength, humour and joy!”
The Best Short Doc (trophy) and Best Atlantic Filmmaker ($500) Awards went to Ben Proudfoot for his documentary The Final Copy Of Ilon Specht. The two-time Oscar award winner’s latest documentary is the story of Ilon Specht who, as a young female copywriter over fifty years ago, coined the slogan ‘Because I’m Worth It’ for the L’Oreal cosmetics company. The empowering campaign was a feminist rallying call which changed advertising forever. Proudfoot’s film visits Specht in her final days and explores the professional and personal life of a woman whose confidence in her own worth was passed along to generations of women.
“Proudfoot is a total pro in the music, cinematography and especially the setting... Fantastic storytelling,” the jury said.
The Best International Documentary ($1,000) Award goes to Black Box Diaries directed by Shiori Ito. The documentary follows Ito’s ordeal to bring justice to the man who raped her. She is in an improbable fight against a powerful man and a male-dominated culture. Using personal video, Ito exposes a myopic society and Japan’s outdated judicial system.
“A brave, emotional and critical story unfolds against all odds,” according to the jury.
Lunenburg audiences also had their say with the Audience Choice Award ($1,000) going to Porcelain War. The powerful film by directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev tells the story of three Ukrainian artists as they continue to create beauty, while defending their country from Russia’s disastrous military invasion and illegal occupation.
In support of Canadian filmmakers, LDF’s The Launch 2024: Documentary Pitch Contest was won by Kate Solar, who will receive over $15,000 in cash and services to complete her film, Teleplasm, about her great-grandfather's paranormal photography in Winnipeg.
LDF not without controversy
After much discussion and consideration, the Lunenburg Documentary Festival decided to show the documentary Russians At War. Canadian Russian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova follows a battalion of Russian soldiers in their assault on Ukraine. It has been criticized by many inside Canada’s Ukrainian community as “soft propaganda”.
Lunenburg Doc Festival respectfully disagrees. MacCormack issued a statement: Statement on the Lunenburg Doc Festival screening.
“The film Russians at War was selected to provide further insight into a tragic conflict which is still ongoing. While not a comprehensive study of the invasion, it does provide a window to observe the devastating impact of distant political decisions on the lives of less powerful individuals.”
Those who opposed the showing of the film made their views known respectfully and protested outside of our venue peacefully. LDF fully supported their right to do so. Lunenburg was the third festival to present this film to the world after Venice and Toronto.
The 11th Lunenburg Doc Fest wrapped on September 22nd after five days and screened 36 films about a wide range of subjects, including Great White Sharks in Nova Scotia and the Revenge of Disco.
Eleven industry professionals from Toronto to Denmark served as jurors this year. "The town of Lunenburg was alive with robust talk of films, music, packed social events and amazing weather,” MacCormack says. “We have already begun planning for our 12th edition for next September."
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Lunenburg Doc Fest showcases documentary films that entertain, educate, and inspire, creating a cultural experience and place of connection between filmmakers and film enthusiasts in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The festival is presented with generous support from Canadian Heritage, The Government of Canada, Telefilm, Nova Scotia Communities, Culture and Heritage, and a valued community of sponsors.
For more information contact:
admin@lunenburgdocfest.com
www.lunenburgdocfest.com
12 King St, PO Box 1497, Lunenburg,
Nova Scotia, B0J 2C0
Photo Credit: Bea Schuler-Mojon
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