“I happened across a brief reference to this tragedy while browsing through an old magazine, and after asking around realised it was little known. I felt such a powerful story just had to be told and more widely understood. My proposal was taken up by the National Film Board of Canada and I went to Newfoundland to research, write the script, and pull together source material and contributing artists. The hospitality shown to me by the Newfoundlanders throughout my visit more than demonstrated what great people they are.

It is made in part as a tribute to Cinematographer Varick Frissel ( – one of my major inspirations). Who first tried to tell the back story of the Newfoundlander on film, and lost his life in the process.” (Martin Parry).

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