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My Ancestors Were Rogues and Murderers

2005 55 min
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This feature documentary is a thoughtful contribution to the debate on Canada's seal hunt. An exploration of the unique culture of Newfoundland's outports, the film revisits the PR coup that launched the animal rights movement onto the international stage: the 1977 Newfoundland visit, orchestrated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, of French actress turned animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot to protest the area's ancestral sealing activities. Soon, inhabitants of the island's northern outports we're being introduced to the world as the epitome of brutality.

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My Ancestors Were Rogues and Murderers

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This feature documentary is a thoughtful contribution to the debate on Canada's seal hunt. An exploration of the unique culture of Newfoundland's outports, the film revisits the PR coup that launched the animal rights movement onto the international stage: the 1977 Newfoundland visit, orchestrated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, of French actress turned animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot to protest the area's ancestral sealing activities. Soon, inhabitants of the island's northern outports we're being introduced to the world as the epitome of brutality.

Fishing and Hunting Industries All subjects
  • director
    Anne Troake
  • writer
    Anne Troake
  • producer
    Kent Martin
  • cinematography
    Nigel Markham
  • Bolex cinematography
    Justin Hall
  • editor
    Chris Darlington
  • production supervisor
    Patricia Coughran
  • location manager
    Victoria King
  • sound
    Harvey Hyslop
  • additional sound
    Vaughn Rowsell
  • original music
    Justin Haynes
    Jean Martin
    Ross Murray
  • original music performer
    Justin Haynes
    Jean Martin
    Ross Murray
  • sound editor
    Harvey Hyslop
  • sound mixer
    Paul Steffler
  • assistant editor
    Anna Petras
  • research
    Anne Troake
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • production stills
    Justin Hall
  • on-line
    Steve Cook
  • animation
    Peter Evans
  • visual effects
    Peter Evans
  • titles
    Chris Darlington
  • credit design
    Chris Darlington
  • studio coordinator
    Stephanie Coolen
    Vanessa Larsen
  • marketing manager
    Amy Stewart Gallant
  • centre administrator
    John William Lutz

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Education

Ages 14 to 17
School subjects
Geography - Human Geography Science - Environmental Science Social Studies - Contemporary Issues
Prior to viewing the film, introduce the controversial topic of the seal hunt and conduct a class discussion. Research the tradition of sealing in the northern outports of Newfoundland. Is the slaughter of seals justified? Do you support the image of the hunters as cruel and brutal? Do you agree or disagree with the ideas expressed by Brian Davies? Supply reasons.
My Ancestors Were Rogues and Murderers
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