ACTIVISM IN THE WEST Shorts Block
23 mins | 2023
Charles Wilkinson
Beyond Being Silenced: Gyaa Isdlaa
Robert Davidson, iconic North American Haida artist stages an epic potlatch in Alaska; the potlatch being the supreme court and central cultural event in the traditional native Haida calendar. In the process, the artist carves his latest monumental totem pole.
Sponsored by:
morpheousStudios
Filmmaker Q&A:
(following each in-theatre screening)
With attending filmmakers Charles Wilkinson (Director) and Tina Schliessler (Producer).
About
Robert Davidson, an iconic North American Haida artist stages an epic potlatch in Alaska; the potlatch being the supreme court and central cultural event in the traditional native Haida calendar. In the process, the artist carves his latest monumental totem pole; a work that looks to the ending of the centuries of colonial abuse Indigenous peoples have endured. To quote Robert: “We were once silenced. Not anymore.”
FILMMAKER BIO
Charles Wilkinson
Charles Wilkinson is a Canadian filmmaker with a large body of documentary and dramatic film and television to his credit. Wilkinson’s latest multi-award-winning feature documentary “Haida Modern: The Art and Activism of Robert Davidson” has been selected at numerous international festivals as well as being chosen as the official opening and closing films of several. The film is currently in broadcast and distribution in both Canada and the US.
His critically acclaimed “Haida Gwaii: On The Edge Of The World” won Most Popular Canadian Documentary at the Vancouver International Film Festival, National Film Critics Best Documentary, the Director’s Guild Allan King Award for Excellence in Documentary and Best Canadian Documentary at Hot Docs.
Wilkinson’s other recent feature documentary work includes “Vancouver: No Fixed Address”, “Oil Sands Karaoke”, and “Peace Out.” Having started out in documentary and prior to returning with this suite of long forms, Wilkinson spent time writing and directing dramatic feature films, TV movies, and episodic shows for Canadian screens as well as for Disney, ABC & CBS in the USA.
CREDITS
Director
Charles Wilkinson
Producer
Tina Schliessler
Executive Producer
Robert Davidson
Co-Producer
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
Composer
Charles Wilkinson
Cinematographer | Editor
Tina Schliessler
Key Cast
Robert Davidson
Key Cast
Sara Florence Davidson