Behind the camera is Chris Wheeler, producer for Great Divide Pictures, shooting a scene for Rendezvous with History: A Grand Portage Story. The scene features Ernest Boyes of Grand Portage on shore as Mike Cyrette and Sarah Deschampe, also of Grand Portage, paddle the canoe.
Since March 2010, Grand Portage National Monument staff and the Grand Portage community have been working to create an interpretive film for the Grand Portage Heritage Center. Film crews, park personnel, and community members have spent 100-plus hours, shooting scenes in a variety of locations, capturing the look and feel of historic Grand Portage. The public is invited to see the results of these efforts at the premiere of Rendezvous with History: A Grand Portage Story at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino on Saturday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.
After opening remarks, the film, produced for the National Park Service by Great Divide Pictures and narrated by Hollywood actor, Adam Beach, will be seen for the first time. There will then be a brief intermission and then there will be a premiere of the film in Ojibwe, narrated by Maajiigwaneyaash, whose English name is Gordon Jourdain.
Movie style refreshments will be served, as this is a celebration of all the time and effort invested by the community in this film. The film company shot scenes in all four seasons and made an extra visit to ensure they had all the footage they wanted. Many Grand Portage community members have roles in the film.
The film is not quite ready for its debut at the Heritage Center, said Pam Neil, Chief of Interpretation at the center. The center needs to modify its equipment to show the high-definition film. And, she said, there will be some “extras” at the Heritage Center. There will be six additional scenes on different topics relating to Grand Portage. Subtitles will also be added to the Ojibwe version of the film, which will then be available for sale on DVD for the public and educators in early 2012.
Neil said premiere support and funding is provided by Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, Eastern National, the Gettysburg Foundation and Grand Portage National Monument. She encouraged everyone to take this opportunity to see the film’s debut.
“We’re really looking forward to showcasing the Grand Portage community,” said Neil.
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