The documentary True North, directed by Michèle Stephenson, revisits a pivotal moment in Quebec's history: the 1969 student protest at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University). This protest, sparked by a complaint against a racist biology professor, escalated into the largest campus protest in Canadian history, resulting in numerous arrests and approximately C$2 million in property damage.
A Story of Resistance
The film weaves together interviews with key figures such as Norman Cook, Brenda Dash, and Rosie Douglas with extensive archive material, all presented in black and white. The archival footage, shot on 16mm film, possesses a fine grain and silvery sheen that complements the soundtrack of discordant jazz and vintage gospel tunes. Composer Andy Milne and music supervisors Sarah Maniquis-Garrisi and Michael Perlmutter craft a soundscape as captivating as the visuals.
Roots in Colonialism
True North does not begin solely with the students' complaint against Professor Perry Anderson. It traces the roots of the protest back to colonialism and slavery, highlighting the destruction of Africville in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a black community razed for "urban renewal." The film also draws inspiration from black American protests across the border and the daily racial slights that culminated in the campus uprising.
Legacy of the Protest
The documentary notes that several protesters, despite facing deportations and prison terms, later became politicians and community leaders, forged by the experience. True North screens at Bertha DocHouse, London, from 22-28 May.
