A Kootenay Filmmaker's Success!
By Contributor
British Columbia’s Knowledge Network is hosting the premiere of local filmmaker Amy Bohigian’s documentary ‘Dreamers and Dissidents’ at the Civic Theatre in Nelson, on Thursday May 28th. The doors will open at 7pm for the 7:30pm free public screening, with the filmmaker, broadcaster, and participants in attendance.
Directed and produced by Amy Bohigian, the film’s crew was comprised entirely of local talent who utilized photographs pulled from family albums and local archives to tell the history of Nelson and the Kootenays. From war resisters to prisoners of war, hopeful immigrants to urban refuges, ‘Dreamers and Dissidents’ explores why certain people have made a home in this rugged interior of British Columbia across the generations. Bohigian explains, “The film provides insight into why the Kootenays is known today as a place with a resilient spirit where many of us find a strong and vibrant community.”
“Knowledge Network’s collaboration with independent producers in BC has resulted in a memorable collection of stories about the history of the Kootenays that will resonate with audiences throughout Canada,” said Rudy Buttignol, President and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation. “We are absolutely delighted to be premiering Amy’s documentary at the historic Civic Theatre in Nelson.”
Rudy Buttignol and Murray Battle, Executive Producer of the film and Director of Original Content at Knowledge Network, will be in town for the premiere. The last time they were in Nelson was for the filmmaker pitch session and competition, in which Amy’s project was chosen and commissioned by Knowledge Network.
‘It’s an honour to welcome Knowledge Network to Nelson,’ says Mayor Deb Kozak. ‘I’m always amazed by the talent we have here in our great city, and am delighted that local historical stories are being told and showcased by such an important broadcaster.’
In the picture above, Rose Rohn poses for a quick photo in front of her family home in Renata moments after her son Bruce had lit a match and threw it into his childhood bedroom. Bruce worked for Hydro in the summer of 1967, clearing the land to make way for the building of the hydroelectric dams that resulted in the displacement of thousands of Kootenay residents. The Rohn family story is one of the nine stories featured in the documentary.
Tickets for the premiere of Dreamers and Dissidents are free to the public and are available at the Civic Theatre website at http://www.civictheatre.ca. The broadcast premiere of Dreamers and Dissidents will be on BC Day, Monday August 3 at 8PM on Knowledge Network.
