Awakenings ― We Were Always Here ― Reverence (A film by Teaunna Gray, 2020)

While digging deep into this city's past, we challenge what findings are held in reverence.
During her research at the Market Gallery, an Afro-Indigenous filmmaker Teaunna Gray first learned about the North American Convention for Coloured Freemen that happened in the neighbouring St. Lawrence Hall in 1851. Learning about the Black excellence that had occurred over the course of 3 days right here in Toronto was a personal awakening for Teaunna, who says of her work on the film: "It unearthed this new responsibility in me to continue learning about sharing important stories and BIPOC figures who were crucial in empowering and forwarding our Black and Indigenous populations, specifically. The set of my film was in the St. Lawrence Hall and I wanted Black bodies to fill that space-just as it was in 1851." Learn more at toronto.ca/museums
Created as part of the We Were Always Here project for Awakenings
Commissioned by Toronto History Museums, City of Toronto
Co-curated by Umbereen Inayet & Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X
Director Mentorship provided by Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X
Director & Producer: Teaunna Gray
Cinematographer: Yves Dupaya
Additional Cinematography: Teaunna Gray
1st AC: Andrii Shtakal
Grip & Electric: Ivan Karaulov
Editor: Taylor Vernon
Music by: Stéphane Pigeon
Sound Design: Cam Brown
Colourist: Ana Escorse
Poet: Susie Mensah
Dancer: Sam Davilmar
Visual Art by: Seye Ogunlesi
Portraits: Susie Mensah, Bukola Walfall, Zahra Bentham, Gary Brown, Forki Alem, Leo Alem
Special thanks to: Nicole Markland, Weyni Mengesha, Neil Brochu, Michael Dowbenka
#Awakenings #TellTheFullStory

[@gv2917]

Thank you

[@Culturethroughart]

I'm speechless! Love the vision. The authenticity. The Truthful questions.

[@DeepakRamachandran1]

Beautiful, thanks for making this! It's great to hear that we all can tie back Blacks' history in Toronto to before Canada was a country -- ie, Blacks have been here for as long or longer than many other newcomers. And even in those early days we can find evidence of our modern Canadian values -- a cornerstone as it were, on which to build our positive future together.

[@patriziapiraino3151]

Amazing!

[@johnjobs3027]

IQ does matter

[@johnjobs3027]

What a boring story that no one cares about except those who blame their shortcmings on others.

[@SOLOGOB]

Shut up John