debbie
07-14-2005, 12:24 PM
The CBC wants you!
300 descendants of Canadian veterans needed for First World War film
TORONTO, July 14 /CNW/ - Did your great-grandfather take Vimy Ridge? Did he play a part in the three-month battle at Passchendaele? Did he break through the German line at Amiens?
For a landmark film to mark the 90th anniversary of the First World War, the CBC is recruiting 300 descendants of those who went to war between 1914 and 1918. The descendants will walk in the footsteps of their ancestors and take part in massive battle recreations.
Twelve of the descendants will be taken to Europe this October. They will be put in khaki uniforms, armed with rifles and trained in a First World War boot camp. They will then be trucked to the battlefields of France and Belgium and filmed visiting the sacred ground where so many Canadians fought and died. All 300 recruits will be summoned in the summer of 2006 to be part of giant recreations of battles such as Vimy Ridge.
Potential recruits may apply online at www.cbc.ca/greatwar. There will be an application form posted on the site, which descendants can use to tell us about themselves and their ancestor. CBC is looking for people who can represent their ancestors (same age, etc.) and who may have access to letters and journals written during the Great War.
The two-part film, scheduled for broadcast on CBC Television in April 2007, will be part-drama and part-documentary, with the latter focusing on young descendants learning what their ancestors experienced during the war.
The film is being produced by Galafilm and will be directed by renowned filmmaker Brian McKenna.
"With only a handful of First World War veterans still alive, our nation's link to this important part of its history is in danger of being lost forever," said McKenna. "This film will provide a compelling and original opportunity to maintain this link by telling the stories of our veterans through their direct descendants."
The film is timed to coincide with Canada's rededication of the refurbished Vimy Memorial in France - on the 90th anniversary of the battle.
For 15 years, Galafilm has been at the forefront of independent film and television production in Canada. Founded and helmed by Arnie Gelbart, the company has grown into one of Canada's leading entertainment producers with an expertise of national and international co-productions. CBC Television is Canada's national public television broadcaster, providing Canadians with news and current affairs programming, comedy, drama, performance and arts programs, sports, children's programs and high-impact specials that speak to the unique experiences of our nation and its people.
-30-
For further information: Chris Holcroft, Alison King, Media Profile,
Toronto, (416) 504-8464,
christopher@mediaprofile.com, alison@mediaprofile.com/
300 descendants of Canadian veterans needed for First World War film
TORONTO, July 14 /CNW/ - Did your great-grandfather take Vimy Ridge? Did he play a part in the three-month battle at Passchendaele? Did he break through the German line at Amiens?
For a landmark film to mark the 90th anniversary of the First World War, the CBC is recruiting 300 descendants of those who went to war between 1914 and 1918. The descendants will walk in the footsteps of their ancestors and take part in massive battle recreations.
Twelve of the descendants will be taken to Europe this October. They will be put in khaki uniforms, armed with rifles and trained in a First World War boot camp. They will then be trucked to the battlefields of France and Belgium and filmed visiting the sacred ground where so many Canadians fought and died. All 300 recruits will be summoned in the summer of 2006 to be part of giant recreations of battles such as Vimy Ridge.
Potential recruits may apply online at www.cbc.ca/greatwar. There will be an application form posted on the site, which descendants can use to tell us about themselves and their ancestor. CBC is looking for people who can represent their ancestors (same age, etc.) and who may have access to letters and journals written during the Great War.
The two-part film, scheduled for broadcast on CBC Television in April 2007, will be part-drama and part-documentary, with the latter focusing on young descendants learning what their ancestors experienced during the war.
The film is being produced by Galafilm and will be directed by renowned filmmaker Brian McKenna.
"With only a handful of First World War veterans still alive, our nation's link to this important part of its history is in danger of being lost forever," said McKenna. "This film will provide a compelling and original opportunity to maintain this link by telling the stories of our veterans through their direct descendants."
The film is timed to coincide with Canada's rededication of the refurbished Vimy Memorial in France - on the 90th anniversary of the battle.
For 15 years, Galafilm has been at the forefront of independent film and television production in Canada. Founded and helmed by Arnie Gelbart, the company has grown into one of Canada's leading entertainment producers with an expertise of national and international co-productions. CBC Television is Canada's national public television broadcaster, providing Canadians with news and current affairs programming, comedy, drama, performance and arts programs, sports, children's programs and high-impact specials that speak to the unique experiences of our nation and its people.
-30-
For further information: Chris Holcroft, Alison King, Media Profile,
Toronto, (416) 504-8464,
christopher@mediaprofile.com, alison@mediaprofile.com/