NFB Collection
The Washing of Tears
199454 min 41 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Hugh Brody
Production: Gillian DarlingCari GreenGeorge JohnsonBarb Cranmer
Script: Hugh Brody
Produced by Nootka Sound and Picture Co. Inc. with the participation of Telefilm Canada and in association with the NFB and British Columbia Film.
This title is an acquisition.
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.
Availability
Subject categories
- Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) > British ColumbiaFur Trades, Hunting and TrappingReligion and SpiritualitySocial Problems
- Religion, Beliefs and Ethics > Indigenous Spirituality
- Women > Violence Against Women
- Social Studies > Contemporary Issues
- Ethics and Religious Culture > Ethical Values
- History and Citizenship Education > First Occupants (to 1500)Imperialism and Colonization (1800s-1900s)
- Indigenous Studies > History/Politics
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