At Bucquoy…

Private Joseph Standing Buffalo 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France Son of Chief Julius and Alma Standing Buffalo Fort Qu Appelle, Saskatchewan (P. Ferguson image, 17 September 2005)

Private Joseph Standing Buffalo
78th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France
Son of Chief Julius and Alma Standing Buffalo
Fort Qu Appelle, Saskatchewan
(P. Ferguson image, 17 September 2005)

This Day: 29 September 1918

Forgive me for bringing attention to you this day. Perhaps this is something you do not wish for? I feel, however, to speak to a day when my friend drove us here to Bucquoy to visit this place so far from your home.

Though I have learned a bit of your ancestry, today you are most in who you were yourself. I presume not to know your life – only, sadly, this place here in France that three of us shared before your name.


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

Leave a Reply