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The North Star: Finding Black Mecca

The North Star: Finding Black Mecca is a 2021 Canadian documentary film about the Black Canadian communities of Chatham, Dresden and Buxton in Ontario.[1] The film is almost entirely narrated by community members themselves, with some input from academics who have studied the settlements.[2] The film highlights the self-sufficiency of the local Black community, the early civil rights work of the National Unity Association, the Chatham Coloured All-Stars, as well as the international influence of local figures including Mary Ann Shadd and Fergie Jenkins.[3] The film's title song Summer Night Songs is performed by singer Chudi Harris and 2020 Polaris Music Prize nominee Aquakultre.[4]

The North Star: Finding Black Mecca
Directed byAngel Panag
Torrin Blades
Written byAngel Panag
Produced byAngel Panag
Godfred Adjei
Torrin Blades
StarringAdam Arenson
Gayle George
Deirdre McCorkindale
CinematographyGodfred Adjei
Edited bySkye Bryden-Blom
Jennie Cyril
Music byChudi Harris
Distributed byCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
Running time
22 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

The North Star: Finding Black Mecca won awards at the Niagara Falls International Film Festival, Canada Shorts Film Festival and screened at festivals around Canada and the U.S., including the Seattle Black Film Festival, the Montreal International Film Festival, Roxbury Film Festival, CaribbeanTales International Film Festival and the Denton Black Film Festival in Texas.[5][6][7]

The film was self-funded by the producers, and later picked up by the CBC.[8] The North Star: Finding Black Mecca premiered on CBC Television on September 18, 2021.[5]

Plot summary

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Cast

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  • Adam Arenson
  • Gayle George
  • Deirdre McCorkindale
  • Samantha Meredith
  • Paul Mooney

References

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  1. ^ "Doc about being Black in Chatham-Kent gains attention at film festivals across North America". CBC. CBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Documentary about Chatham-Kent's Black communities available online". chathamthisweek. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Documentary highlights history of Black communities in Chatham-Kent". chathamdailynews. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Black History Month In Chatham-Kent | VisitCK". www.chatham-kent.ca. Chatham-Kent. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Absolutely Canadian series returns with a new season of Ontario-produced films and documentaries". CBC. CBC Communications. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. ^ "The North Star: Finding Black Mecca". CTV News Edmonton. CTV. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. ^ "CLAIM IT! (SHORTS 5)". Roxbury International Film Festival. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. ^ "The North Star: Finding Black Mecca Rough Cut & Artist Talk". Factory Media Centre. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
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