Kevin Eastwood鈥檚 Untold History of BC Debuts on Knowledge Network
Kevin Eastwood with cinematographer Michael Bourquin during the filming of British Columbia: An Untold History. (Photo by Jeff Topham / courtesy the Knowledge Network)
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The new docu-series takes a 鈥減luralistic look at the complicated past鈥 of the place now known as British Columbia.
A new documentary series from award-winning filmmaker Kevin Eastwood titled takes a 鈥減luralistic and multi-narrative look at the complicated past鈥 that continues to shape the place now known as British Columbia.
Featuring Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, Black and European stories told by authors, historians, knowledge keepers, elders, families, and descendants of historical figures, the four part mini-series brought revelations for the person behind the camera.
鈥淎s a settler who has lived their whole life in BC, and went to school and university here, I thought I knew a lot about this place, but making British Columbia: An Untold History taught me I didn鈥檛 really know that much,鈥 Kevin, who wrote and directed the series, says in a statement. 鈥淚t was a real privilege and honour to speak with the 70+ people we interviewed and to learn the origin stories of the place I鈥檝e always called home.
鈥淪ome of those stories were deeply troubling, while others were inspiring. In the end, more than anything, it was the act of hearing these stories be shared 鈥 stories that often required a lot of emotional strength, generosity and bravery to share 鈥 that made me feel closer to others, and have a more true understanding of what this place is. I hope that the stories we have assembled provide viewers with a similar experience.鈥
Archival image of a group of S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh men at Eslha7a虂n虛 (Mission Reserve) with newly-made canoe, circa 1912. Image shows Dan Ki虂7k瘫es, 鈥極ld鈥 Julian, Willie Baker, and Steven Antone making a new dugout canoe. (Photo courtesy the Museum and Archives of North Vancouver / the Knowledge Network).
The four-part series, which debuted on the Knowledge Network in October, traces several key themes. The first episode, titled Change + Resistance, looks at 鈥渢he Indigenous resistance to oppression in British Columbia.鈥 Episode two, Labour + Persistence, investigates 鈥渢he transformative history of labour and the fight for equality鈥 in BC. The third episode, Migration + Resilience, 鈥渞eveals the immigrant narratives of resilience that define British Columbia鈥檚 past and present.鈥 The final episode explores 鈥渉ow the history of British Columbia is inseparably fused with the history of natural resources.鈥
You can watch all four episodes now for free from anywhere in Canada (along with all of the Knowledge Network鈥檚 other outstanding content) by .