PASSAGE
(director, writer/narrator, co-producer) 2008
“History would be an excellent thing if only it were true,” claimed Tolstoy, and filmmaker John Walker takes us on an epic historical adventure that involves cannibalism, a vengeful woman and an historical cover-up by British authorities that credited the wrong man with the discovery of the Northwest Passage. Stunningly cinematic, the film follows a trail from London to the Orkney Islands to Nunavut, elegantly slipping between past and present, drama and documentary, and observational and self-reflexive cinema.
MEN OF THE DEEPS
(director, writer, cinematographer, co-producer) 2003
The film is a moving portrait of a group of former miners gathered together because of their love of song. Through testimonials from both miners and their wives, evocative scenes underground and the hauntingly beautiful voices of the choir, we explore the last days of coal mining in Cape Breton. Featuring sixteen outstanding songs, which exemplify an oral tradition of almost 300 years, the film captures the grace and dignity of a group of men whose livelihood has been lost but who use their voices to inspire and uplift.
YEARS FROM HERE
(director, writer/narrator) 2002
This documentary follows the Maisin, who live in an isolated region of Papua New Guinea, on their first trip to visit the indigenous Sto:lo of British Columbia. The film is a follow up to CHANGING GROUND that documented the Sto:lo’s journey the previous year to PNG. It is through the observations of the Maisin and the experiences of the Sto:lo in Canada that we come to understand the complexity and tragedy of adapting to a foreign way of life.
– CBC The Nature of Things
CHANGING GROUND
(director, writer/narrator) 2001
A documentary film shot in Papua New Guinea with the Maisin – the first tribe in PNG to say no to foreign logging in their territory. The film witnesses an extraordinary exchange between two indigenous communities: the Maisin of Collingwood Bay and the Sto:lo of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia who face the same dilemmas.
– CBC The Nature of Things
THE FAIRY FAITH
(director, writer/narrator, producer) 2000
In this feature documentary Walker takes us on a personal journey into a world of myth that he learned from his grandmother. From the ancient tales of Ireland, through Shakespeare to Walt Disney fairies occupy a unique place in our collective imagination. Walker travels from the Moors of Devon and the Highlands of Scotland to the brooding Celtic landscapes of Ireland and the intimate hills of Cape Breton, in his search of this potent “otherworld” of the imagination.
UTSHIMASSITS: PLACE OF THE BOSS
(director, writer, producer) 1996
A documentary film in which the nomadic Mushuau Innu tell their story of how they were settled in the 1960’s on the island of Davis Inlet, in Labrador. Within one generation everything changed.
TOUGH ASSIGNMENT
(director, cinematographer, co-producer) 1996
A feature length documentary following four high school teachers as they struggle through an academic year at a downtown Toronto high school. TVOntario
THE CHAMPAGNE SAFARI
(executive producer) 1995
Feature length documentary on the industrialist and alleged Nazi collaborator Charles E. Bedaux.
HIDDEN CHILDREN
(director, cinematographer) 1994
Shot in Poland, Israel and Canada the film reveals the deeply held childhood memories of those who were forced to hide their Jewish identity during WWII. October Films, Channel 4 broadcast.
ORPHANS OF MANCHURIA
(director, co-cinematography) 1993
Shot in China and Japan this film deals with the plight of Japanese children left in China at the end of WWII. Like the Jews of Europe they had to hide their true identity in Mao’s China. Returning to Japan they face a new challenge as they try to adapt to a culture that is now foreign to them. October Films, Channel 4 broadcast.
SHEPHERDS TO THE FLOCK
(director) 1992
An exploration of Protestant ministers with different political points of view and interpretations of the Bible. One of a four-part CBC series “God’s Dominion” based on the book by Ron Graham.
DISTRESS SIGNALS
(director, producer) 1991
Based on the communication theories of Harold Innis the film looks at the economic and political world of global television culture that is dominated by products from Hollywood and New York. The film explores the public sector opposition in Europe, Africa and Canada to this U.S. cultural hegemony. In Cannes, France we hear from the American CEO’s who challenge the opposition.
THE HAND OF STALIN
(director, cinematographer) 1990
Opening two films of the October Films / BBC trilogy. Leningradskaya – A Village in Southern Russia and Leningrad.
STRAND – UNDER THE DARK CLOTH
(director, producer, cinematographer, narrator) 1989
Feature length documentary on the photographer and filmmaker Paul Strand. (BBC, Theatrical release)
A WINTER TAN
(co-director, cinematographer, co-producer) 1987
Feature drama starring Jackie Burroughs, based on the book.
CHAMBERS – TRACKS AND GESTURES
(director, cinematographer) 1982
Portrait of the celebrated Canadian artist and experimental filmmaker, Jack Chambers who died at the peak of his career from leukemia. CBC broadcast.
American Film Festival
Blue RibbonHouston Film Festival
Bronze AwardCanadian Film Editors Award
Best EditingCanadian Society of Cinematographers Award
Best Documentary Photography
John Walker’s awards for cinematography include a Gemini for Men of the Deeps, A Fragile Tree Has Roots; Canadian Society of Cinematography awards for Chambers Tracks & Gestures, Blue Snake and Men of the Deeps; Yorkton Film Festival – Golden Sheaf Awards – Best cinematography of festival for On To The Polar Sea and Leningradskaya-Southern Russia. Whalesong and Making Overtures (Oscar nomination) also received Gemini nominations for best documentary cinematography. The Hand of Stalin received a Gemeaux nomination for best director of photography in all categories.