Original Open of WWI film, Dominion Day

Directed by Robert Child. This is the original opening to my Canadian WWI film, Dominion Day. It came about when we started filming in France and encountered the many meticulously maintained WWI cemeteries, which almost no one ever sees. Spending time at these places moved me deeply. They dot the landscape as a living and poignant reminders to “never forget” all the lives lost during the Great War. I believed that showing these places was the perfect way to open the film and myself along with Emmy award winning editor, John Whitcher, (Aftermath – Population Zero) created something that we felt was epic while at the same time emotional. Certain members of the production team believed that narration should have been put on top of this – but I lobbied hard against that- it stands on it’s own. At the end of this open is the incredible 3D CGI recreation of the Dominion Day celebration on July 1, 1918 at Tinques, France. I wanted to continue the epic theme into the film and bring viewers back to that day. This animation created by VFX Supervisor, Jonathan Gibson, at C4 Effects, Inc. Toronto really brought to life what I had in my imagination. Although I was an American directing a Canadian WWI film, I felt a real sense of pride and patriotism for Canada’s role and the accomplishments of her soldiers in the Great War.