In honour of Black History Month, DOXA Documentary Film Festival’s Motion Pictures Series with support from the City of Richmond is proud to present Charles Officer’s film Mighty Jerome. Based on Fil Fraser’s book Running Uphill, Mighty Jerome reveals the remarkable story of Harry Jerome, one of British Columbia’s most extraordinary athletes. At one point in his career, Jerome was the fastest man on the planet, holding seven different world records, including simultaneous world records in both the 100 yard and 100 metre races. Charles Officer’s beautifully rendered film captures Jerome’s story in gorgeous chromatic tones, archival footage and dramatic reenactments. Even after suffering an injury so severe that doctors thought he might never walk again, Jerome went on to stage what coach Bill Bowerman called “the greatest comeback in track and field history.”
“Mighty Jerome is a story of triumph and tragedy.” – The Vancouver Sun
In the graceful setting of Richmond’s City Chambers, DOXA’s presentation of the film will be followed by a panel discussion with special guests in attendance, including Charles Officer (via Skype), Dr. Doug Clement and Selwyn Jacob.
Charles Officer (filmmaker) – via Skype
Charles Officer grew up in Toronto and made his first short film, When Morning Comes, in 2000. The film debuted to great acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, and soon, through his participation in the Directors’ Lab at the Canadian Film Centre, he made a second film, Short Hymn, Silent War, which received a Special Jury Citation at TIFF and a Genie nomination. In 2005, Charles developed and directed the television pilot Hotel Babylon, and followed that with Hotel Vladivostok and Everything Is Love and Fear, co-created with Ingrid Veninger as an international collaboration in Russia.
In 2007, the Canadian reggae-punk band Bedouin Soundclash commissioned Charles to direct a documentary intended to accompany the release of their albumStreet Gospels. That same year, Charles directed two episodes of the Global television series Da Kink in My Hair. His first feature film, Nurse.Fighter.Boy, premiered at the 2008 TIFF and saw distribution in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. The film garnered 10 nominations at the 30th annual Genie Awards, winning for Best Original Song.
Charles was named one of “10 to Watch” by Playback magazine, and he was the recipient of the 2009 Ontario Premier’s Emerging Artist Award. He is currently developing a new feature, a crime thriller titled Akilla’s Escape, slated for production in 2011.
Dr. Doug Clement
Doug Clement was born in Montreal, Quebec, and is a former Olympic and Commonwealth athlete and coach. As co-founder of the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, he taught and practiced sports medicine for over 20 years at the University of British Columbia. Highly regarded for his insight into athletics from an educational, medical, and business standpoint, Doug has served as the director for several organizations including the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Vancouver Sun Run and the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine. He has also been honoured with many academic and professional awards including the Order of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.
Selwyn Jacob
Selwyn Jacob joined the National Film Board in 1997. The Vancouver-based producer’s most recent productions include Dianne Whelan’s This Land, Baljit Sangra’s Warrior Boyz, andRiver of Life, directed by Werner Walcher. He also producedJeni LeGon: Living in a Great Big Way and the Leo Award-winningThe Journey of Lesra Martin. His most recent work includes producing the short films The Visit, by director Lisa Jackson, and When You Give of Yourself for acclaimed filmmaker Lynne Stopkewich. Prior to joining the NFB, Jacob was an independent producer and director for more than fifteen years.