Through a Blue Lens

199952 min 8 secFilm: Documentary

14A

Direction: Veronica Alice Mannix

Production: Gillian Darling KovanicGraydon McCrea

Script: Michelle Bjornson

Produced by the National Film Board of Canada with the participation of Odd Squad Productions Society.

This gripping documentary takes a powerful look at the lives of people with substance use disorder in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Filmmaker Veronica Alice Mannix follows Constable Al Arsenault and six other police officers on their daily beat, documenting their unique relationships with people who speak candidly about their painful past experiences, their drug addiction, and life on the street.

Other versions


Subject categories


  • Health and Medicine > AIDSAlcohol, Drugs and Tobacco
  • Social Issues > Community Projects and AssistanceCrime and DelinquencyHealth and IllnessSocial ProblemsSub-cultureSubstance AbuseUrban Life
  • Law and Crime > Drug Traffic and Substance AbusePolice OperationsPortraitsSecurity forces
  • Social Studies > Contemporary Issues
  • Media Education > Documentary Film
  • Health/Personal Development > Mental Health/Stress/SuicideSubstance Use and Abuse/Addiction

Credits


participant
Nicola
Carlee
John Bear Curtis
Lana
Serena
Richard Todd
Kevin Frank
Randy
Darlene
Danièle Shannon
Michelle
Jean-Michel Henry
Debra Karen
Romana
cinematography
Toby Hinton
Dave Kolb
Dale Weidman
Len Hollingsworth
Al Arsenault
Mark Steinkampf
Walt McKay
director
Veronica Alice Mannix
director of photography
Daniel C. Mannix
editor
Shelly Hamer
additional police cinematography
Jim Mitchell
Carla Webb
Andy Tomec
consultant
Michelle Bjornson
story editor
Michelle Bjornson
music composer
Dennis Burke
musician
Jim Porter
additional cinematography
Rudolf Kovanic
camera assistant
Dave Lank
location sound
Jonathan Ritchie
sound consultant
Brent Marchenski
stills
Al Arsenault
Toby Hinton
production stills
Bob Semeniuk
Christopher Grabowski
demo editing
Christopher Keam
sound design
Orca Pacific Productions
mix
Orca Pacific Productions
video post-production
Rainmaker Digital Pictures
motion control
Carousel Video Transfers Ltd.
production supervisor
Kathryn Lynch
program administrator
Bruce Hagerman
producer
Gillian Darling Kovanic
executive producer
Graydon McCrea

Awards


  • Award for Most Inspirational Short film or Video - given by the Youth Jury (Ages 13 +)Reel to Real International Film Festival for Youth and Families
  • The Japan Prize - with a cash prize of $5,000USInternational Educational Program Contest Japan Prize
  • The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Prize - Category: Adult Education - with a cash prize of $3,000USInternational Educational Program Contest Japan Prize
  • Chris Award - Category: Social Issues International Film and Video Festival