Where the Poppies Grow - The Lakehead at War
Shebafilms Studios
•
29m
Where the Poppies Grow is a short docu-drama about one soldier during the Great War. Alfred Saxberg was a first generation Finnish Canadian who signed up at the beginning of the war and was fortunate to return home in 1919. When the Great War ended In November 1918, the people of the Lakehead could take pride in the contributions they had made. Over 6,200 people enlisted either as volunteers or conscripts. At home, the community supported the war by raising money to assist soldiers’ wives, children, and other dependants. There were also campaigns to help finance the purchase of military equipment and to send personal items to the soldiers overseas. By the end of the conflict, approximately 800 people from the Lakehead were killed overseas or died of illness due to their war service. Thousands more were wounded in body and mind. Where the Poppies Grow is a docu-drama that looks at the sacrifices made by people from the Lakehead to secure victory in the war.
As part of this project we have also produced a series of vignettes called "Reflections on the Great War" that help explain aspects of the film and a short “making of” video where you can get a behind the scenes look at the production. Everything is available on ResearchTV.ca
Director: Ron Harpelle
Producer: Ron Harpelle and Kelly Saxberg
Writer: Dianne Brothers
Camera: Kelly Saxbeg
Editor: Kelly Saxberg
Music: Adrien Harpelle
Up Next in Shebafilms Studios
-
Toxic Time Bomb
“Toxic Time Bomb” is about the impact of industrial pollution on a community and about activists who have spent 30 years fighting to ensure that industry and government take responsibility for the destruction of the environment.
-
Carousel of Time
For almost a century, children have ridden the wooden carousel horses at Thunder Bay’s Chippewa Park. “The Carousel of Time” is a historical documentary about the restoration and preservation of a CW Parker carousel built in 1915. One of three left in North America. “Carousel of Time” is designed...
-
The Snipers
The Snipers is a film that uses animation and archival footage to tell the story of Patrick Riel and Phil MacDonald, distinguished members of the 90th Winnipeg Rifles in WWI. It is a story of sacrifice and indigenous participation in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
