Deep Dive: Haida Modern (2019)
Film Lens
Haida Modern is a 2019 Canadian documentary about the art and activism of Haida artist Robert Davidson. Directed by Charles Wilkinson, the film follows Davidson's artistic career from his youth in Haida Gwaii and Vancouver, where he studied with masters like Bill Reid. It examines his education in the arts and the history of the Indigenous Haida people.
The film recounts the summer of 1969 when Davidson carved and raised a totem pole in his home village for the first time in nearly a century, marking a significant moment in the revival of Indigenous art. It also reflects on his 50-year career, his experiences as a child of the Canadian Indian residential school system, and his activism for climate change and human rights.
Why Watch
- •Watch Robert Davidson's impactful art journey.
- •See the revival of Haida culture in the 1960s.
- •Find out about Indigenous activism for climate change.
Did You Know
•Robert Davidson raised a totem pole in 1969 after nearly 100 years.
•Haida Modern won the Super Channel People's Choice Award in 2019.
•The film premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival in 2019.
•It had its broadcast premiere on June 2, 2020, on Knowledge Network.
Perfect For
Indigenous art enthusiastsDocumentary film loversClimate change activists