Fresh off a premiere at the Whistler Film Festival, Tzouhalem the untold story of the legendary warrior, will be made available for viewing in the Cowichan Valley come March.

The film is produced by Orca Cove Media, a production company that focuses on First Nations and Indigenous authentic content, and is co-directed by Harold Joe and Leslie D. Bland.

A member of Cowichan Tribes, Joe grew up hearing the oral legends of the fiercest warrior to ever wage battle in the Pacific Northwest.

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B次元官网网址淭his film is being used to preserve an prominent figure, and an important part of history. A film like Tzouahlem has never been done. No one has ever had the opportunity to do a film like this,B次元官网网址� Joe said. B次元官网网址淚 am honoured that we had the chance to take an oral story like this and bring it to life. ItB次元官网网址檚 such a treat to do a documentary like this in my own back yard, about an iconic figure in our Cowichan community B次元官网网址� and the account of his life will remain alive for years to come. So, for me, to take a story thatB次元官网网址檚 been given orally and turn it into a film is of the utmost honour to be a part of.B次元官网网址�

According to a press release, Tzouhalem examines details passed on by both historians and First Nations Elders, the impact Tzouhalem had on the modern relationship between the Crown and the First Nations, and how his legend remains alive today. It explores how his story has been told and passed on, and by who.B次元官网网址�

The documentary story is told through interviews and creative re-enactments and examines the near-mythic figure of Cowichan Chief Tzouhalem and the folkloric tales concerning him.

B次元官网网址淭he Cowichan community, my people, were really receptive to the telling of this story, with open arms. Not just the community, but Cowichan Tribes was also very open and supportive of the film. Many Elders and community members participated with interviews and performing in the re-enactments,B次元官网网址� said filmmaker Harold Joe. B次元官网网址淓verybody from the community does know about Tzouhalem, from our peoplesB次元官网网址� history. There were a lot of misconceptions from the non-First Nations folks, from what they had heard about our legendary Chief. So, it was important to have First Nations sharing this history B次元官网网址� coming from our elders and an old, hand-written story by the late Abel Joe to make absolute sure we were on the right track.B次元官网网址�

Joe said it had always been his hope to share the movie with a large audience.

B次元官网网址淚 had dreamed that thousands and tens of thousands of people would see it, as itB次元官网网址檚 a unique story, a powerful one, and a real story that is important to our people,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 have more Cowichan stories planned B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 an endless vault of ideas to come forth. Tzouhalem is just one of many that come from our community, but it was always the one that stood out to me to start with, as it has such a long arm to reach so many people.B次元官网网址�

Pending COVID-19 provincial health restrictions, the film will be shown at 7 p.m. on March 4 at the Chemainus Theatre, at 7 p.m. on March 5 at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan and a 2 p.m. matinee on March 13, also at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

For those unable to make those dates, the film will also run at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 11 at Cinecenta UVIC in Victoria.

sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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