The Montreal National Film Board (NFB) partnered with local filmmaker Will Prosper to unveil his latest short documentary at the NFB Space. The nine-minute film creatively utilizes Canadian archival footage to explore themes of systemic violence, memory, and resilience.
Prosper shared, “This film is designed to provoke a reaction from viewers, regardless of their background or social status. With over 400 diverse images and archives spanning from the 1960s to 2020, it was a challenging but rewarding creative process to craft a narrative amidst a fast-paced visual experience.”
Producer Pierre-Mathieu Fortin added, “Our aim was to create a short film that emulates the storytelling style prevalent on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, utilizing the rich resources available at the National Film Board.”
Delving into the vast NFB archives and inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, Prosper embarked on a condensed retelling of black history in Montreal, Quebec, and Canada. He expressed, “Through the arrangement of vintage black and white footage alongside contemporary cellphone clips, my intention is to spark conversations about historical continuity and change.”
By juxtaposing past and present visuals, Prosper hopes to prompt reflection on the cyclical nature of history and the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogues. He emphasized, “History repeats itself when we fail to acknowledge it and have the necessary conversations. My hope is for viewers to grasp the underlying messages and join in the dialogue that follows.”
The documentary screening event featured a panel discussion and interactive sessions focusing on the well-being of black communities. Fortin highlighted, “Our message is that history is an ongoing narrative, and at the NFB, we are committed to capturing the stories of today to shape the archives of tomorrow.”
Prosper’s ultimate takeaway from the documentary is a call for empathy. He stated, “In today’s society, amidst all the ongoing events, there is a noticeable lack of empathy. My wish is for audiences to cultivate empathy after watching this film.”
