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WINNIPEG PREMIERE OF MARIE CLEMENTS’ NFB MUSICAL DOCUMENTARY. THE ROAD FORWARD, STARTING OCTOBER 21 AT THE CINEMATHEQUE. Film connects a pivotal moment in Canada’s civil rights history—the beginnings of Indian Nationalism in the 1930s—with the powerful momentum of Indigenous activism today.

PRESS RELEASE
11/10/2017

“An embarrassment of riches regarding the political, cultural,
and day-to-day life of Canada’s First Nations people.”
– Ken Eisner, Georgia Straight
“A music documentary like no other. It bends and pushes
the boundaries of what we expect of Indigenous cinema.”
– Aisha Jamal, Hot Docs.

October 11, 2017 – Vancouver – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Starting Saturday, October 21, Winnipeg audiences will have the chance to take in Marie Clements’ musical documentary The Road Forward on the big screen, as the Cinematheque presents screenings of the National Film Board of Canada feature until October 29.

In The Road Forward, Marie Clements connects a major turning point in Canada’s civil rights history—the beginnings of Indian Nationalism in the 1930s—with the powerful momentum of Indigenous activism today. Deeply moving interviews with key members of Canada’s oldest First Nations organizations, the Native Brotherhood and Native Sisterhood, reveal the starkly racist politics that inspired the movement as well as how a humble newspaper became a powerful force for change.

The documentary’s stunningly shot musical sequences bring to life the past 80 years of politics and protest on the West Coast and across the country, performed by an ensemble of some of Canada’s finest vocalists and musicians, including the Manitoba-born Métis performers Jeremy James Lavallee and Wayne Lavallee.

Inspired by articles from The Native Voice, the superbly produced story-songs range from heartbreaking ballads about the missing and murdered Indigenous women to inspirational anthems for moving forward, seamlessly connecting past and present with soaring vocals, blues, rock, and traditional beats

The Road Forward is produced and executive produced by Shirley Vercruysse for the NFB’s BC & Yukon Studio in Vancouver.

Complete screening schedule

Saturday, October 21, at 3 p.m.
Friday, October 27, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 28, at 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 29, at 3 p.m.

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Related Products

Electronic Press Kit | Images, trailers, synopsis: The Road Forward

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  • About the NFB

    The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is taking action to combat systemic racism and become a more open and diverse organization, while working to strengthen Indigenous-led production and gender equity in film and digital media. NFB productions have won more than 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca.