BLK: An Origin Story is a Canadian documentary television series, which aired in 2022 on History.[1] Created, directed and produced by Sudz Sutherland and Jennifer Holness for Hungry Eyes Film and Television, the series explores Black Canadian history.[2]
The four episodes explored the initial migrations of Black Loyalist, Black Refugee and Jamaican Maroon communities to Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries;[3] the history of the Little Burgundy neighbourhood in Montreal;[4] the history of the Hogan's Alley neighbourhood in Vancouver;[5] and the story of John "Daddy" Hall, a free-born Black and Mohawk Canadian man from Owen Sound who was captured by the American military when he fought in the War of 1812, and forced into slavery for 13 years until escaping and returning to Canada.[6]
The series premiered on February 26, 2022.[7]
Awards
editTom Third received a nomination for Best Original Score for a Non-Fiction Series or Limited Series at the Screen Composers Guild of Canada's inaugural Canadian Screen Music Awards.[8]
The series won five Canadian Screen Awards at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023, for Best Photography in a Documentary Program or Factual Series (Ricardo Diaz), Best Editing in a Documentary Program or Series (Avril Jacobson), Best Direction in a Documentary Series (Holness), Best Original Music in a Documentary Series (Third) and Best Writing in a Documentary (Sutherland).[9]
References
edit- ^ Michelle Butterfield, "Groundbreaking new series explores Canada’s shocking, untold Black history". Global News, February 26, 2022.
- ^ Shakiel Mahjouri, "‘BLK: An Origin Story’ Trailer Celebrates The Impact Of Black History In Canada". ET Canada, January 13, 2022.
- ^ Melissa Noel, "Canadian Black history illuminated in new four-part docuseries". TheGrio, February 8, 2022.
- ^ Bill Brownstein, "Little Burgundy's glory days live again in documentary". Montreal Gazette, March 10, 2022.
- ^ Sonia Deol, "Rebuilding Vancouver's Black community after the destruction of historic Hogan's Alley". Global News, March 18, 2022.
- ^ Rob Gowan, "John 'Daddy' Hall story gets a national audience". Owen Sound Sun-Times, March 23, 2022.
- ^ Greg David, "HISTORY AND HUNGRY EYES MEDIA PRESENT A GROUNDBREAKING EXPLORATION OF CANADA’S BLACK HISTORY IN BLK: AN ORIGIN STORY, PREMIERING FEBRUARY 26". TV, eh?, January 14, 2022.
- ^ Angelica Babiera, "First-ever Canadian Screen Music Awards announces nominees". Playback, August 16, 2022.
- ^ Jackson Weaver, "To Kill a Tiger, We're All Gonna Die and BLK emerge as top winners at CSAs' opening night". CBC News, April 11, 2023.