WEST WIND: The Vision of Tom Thomson

Tom Thomson is one of Canada’s most beloved painters. Described as our “greatest colourist” and “our Van Gogh”, Thomson’s vibrant interpretations of the northern landscape are iconic representations of the Canadian soul.

On July 8, 1917, just as he was reaching ascendancy in his craft, Tom Thomson paddled across Canoe Lake and disappeared. His body was found floating in the lake 8 days later. The cause of his death remains a mystery.

What is it about Tom Thomson’s life, art and death that haunt us still, that draw thousands to his cairn at Canoe Lake each summer and propels his little sketches to the stratosphere of the Canadian Art market? West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson unravels many of the mysteries of this brilliant, beloved artist.

Shot in Algonquin Park, Georgian Bay Seattle and Toronto, featuring never-before-seen paintings by Canada’s most celebrated artist.

“As gorgeous as the iconic artist’s paintings…West Wind is a great story of a great artist”
- Ottawa Citizen. Full story

“Knock-your-socks-off cinematography” – The Globe and Mail. Full story

“Very enjoyable, visually stunning and thoughtful. As in their recent collaboration, “Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould”, Peter Raymont and Michele Hozer investigate a genius and the nature of his genius.” – The Vancouver International Film Festival

“Documentaries that touch on Canada’s national spirit and our profound sense of ourselves are almost as important as the art itself. We need films on artists such as Thomson in order to discover and define who we are as a country. Raymont and Hozer are determined to plumb aspects of Thomson’s achievement that have not been touched upon. This is a film that needs to be made.” – David P.Silcox, AUTHOR & PRESIDENT, SOTHEBY’S CANADA

“A detailed and often fascinating portrait of one of our most beloved artists…West Wind is a must-see for fans of art and fans of Canada.”
- Robert Moyes – Monday Magazine, Victoria, BC. Full story

WEST WIND press:
Ottawa Citizen – “Visions of the Pines”
Globe and Mail – “A new film remembers Tom Thomson’s life, not his death”
Cottage Country Now – “Thomson’s art is front and centre in new biopic”
Algonquin Art Centre – “A New Vision of Tom Thomson at Film North”
Reuters – “Wilderness stars in UK show of revered Canadian art”
The National (video) – “Exhibit of Canadian Art Opens”
The Globe and Mail – “Painting Canadian art world-class”
The Globe and Mail – “London exhibit of Canadian art closes on a high note”
The Globe and Mail – “Like asking the Louvre for the Mona Lisa”
The London Free Press – Homegrown Gems
CBC, Metro Morning Radio – Vision of Tom Thomson
CBC Radio Ontario Morning – West Wind

Directors: Michèle Hozer and Peter Raymont | Producers: Peter Raymont & Nancy Lang
Researchers: Nancy Lang | Rebecca Middleton & Monica Penner
Editor: Michèle Hozer | Supervising Producer: Kelly Jenkins

Produced by White Pine Pictures in association with Bravo!, a division of CTV limited Inc., Knowledge Network Corporation, TVOntario, Saskatchewan Communications Network and with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Rogers Documentary and Cable Network Funds.

PREVIOUS SCREENINGS
2011
September 22nd Film North, Huntsville (Film North Link)
September 24th Cinefest, Sudbury International Film Festival (Cinefest link)
October 1st and 2nd, Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF link)
October 15th, Dulwich Picture Gallery, UK
November 9th Isabel Bader Theatre, screening for cast, crew and supporters

2012
February 10th, London Film Festival Domestic Arrivals

Broadcast Premiere: Bravo Television, July (TBA)