AL PURDY WAS HERE – 7PM

SCREENING: Friday, February 5, 7:00 pm

Directed by: Brian D. Johnson
With: Margaret Atwood, Joseph Boyden, Leonard Cohen, Sarah Harmer, Eurithe Purdy
Documentary, Rated PG, 92 min. (Canada)

Two-time Governor General’s Award-winner Al Purdy was a charismatic tower of contradictions: a “sensitive man” who whipped out a poem in a bar fight; a factory worker who found grace in an Arctic flower; a mentor to young writers who remained a stranger to his sons. Purdy was famous for his diverse and stirring poetry, boisterous and rabble-rousing personality and A-frame house in Roblin Lake, Ontario, which became a mecca for pioneers of Canadian literature including: Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje and Dennis Lee. Director Brian D. Johnson blends archival footage with readings, reminiscences and live performances from those who have been touched by Purdy’s life – including Leonard Cohen, Bruce Cockburn, Gordon Pinsent and Tanya Tagaq – to create a complex and moving portrait of the “last, best and most Canadian poet.”

Guest speaker for post screening Q&A:

Dr. Bruce Meyer

The Barrie Film Festival is pleased to welcome local Canadian poet and educator Bruce Meyer to speak at this screening and share with the audience his personal memories of Al Purdy as well discuss Purdy’s influence on Canadian culture. Dr. Bruce Meyer is the author of over 40 books of poetry, short fiction, non-fiction, pedagogy and literary journalism and was the inaugural Poet Laureate of the City of Barrie.

Photo by Mark Raynes Roberts

Sponsored by: