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Home | Canadian Documentary Premiere on OMNI.2
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Canadian Documentary Premiere on OMNI.2
Jajo’s Secret
English language version – Monday, June 8th at 3:30PM ET on OMNI.2
Encore Presentation: Wednesday, June 10th at 10AM on OMNI.2
Ukrainian Language Version: Saturday, June 13th at 10PM on OMNI.1
June 4, 2009 - Toronto, ON - OMNI is proud to present the world television premiere of Jajo’s Secret, as part of its Signature Series. The 60 minute documentary launches to English speaking audiences on OMNI.2, Monday, June 8th at 3:30 p.m. ET with an additional broadcast on OMNI.2, Wednesday, June 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Ukrainian speaking viewers are invited to tune in to OMNI.1, Saturday, June 13th at 10:00 p.m.
Jajo’s Secret tells the story of how thousands of Ukrainians were interned by the Canadian government during World War One – starting with one man’s discovery of his Jajo’s (grandfather’s) lifelong secret.
“After Jajo passed away we discovered a certificate of parole with his name on it, issued by the Sault Ste Marie Police in 1918. It was my desire to solve the mystery of that certificate that started me on this personal journey,” says James Motluk, Writer, Director and Producer of Jajo’s Secret. “Thanks to OMNI’s Independent Producers Initiative, I now have an enduring record of my grandfather’s contribution to Canadian history as well as an account from which we all can learn.”
Motluk’s search into Jajo’s secret parole certificate takes him from the Sault Ste Marie police department to a cemetery in Kapuskasing through a ghost town near Wawa, and finally to the steps of Parliament Hill. As his journey unfolds so does the ugly truth about government sanctioned “concentration camps” -- two dozen across Canada – human rights transgressions and their attempted cover-up.
“We are pleased to support Jajo’s Secret as broadcast documentation of a chapter in Canadian history not to be forgotten -- or repeated,” says Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of OMNI Television. “By recalling past injustices, Jajo’s Secret provides a context for human rights legislation in place today.”
While James Motluk’s grandfather may have wanted to forget his internment experience, his certificate of parole was left with keepsakes and safely preserved; Jajo’s family believes this was intentional, so that we would have no choice but to remember.
Jajo’s Secret was exclusively funded through OMNI's Independent Producers Initiative, a $32.5 million independent production fund that to date has supported over 200 new documentary programmes. Interested producers can access funding criteria at OMNI Television’s web site www.omnitv.ca .
About OMNI Television
OMNI is a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system committed to positive portrayal and broadcast reflection of Canada’s diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming. With five television stations -- in BC; Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) and Ontario (OMNI.1 and OMNI.2) – OMNI has a combined reach to 16.5 million households in major market areas. As well as specializing in Canadian multilingual/multicultural programming, OMNI carries well-known International series and films – including East Asian Super Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies. OMNI Television is a part of Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company.
About Guerilla Films Inc.
Guerrilla Films is an independent Toronto-based production company founded in 1998. James Motluk, Writer, Director, Producer, has been working in the film and television industry for more than a decade, including work as a writer for Road To Avonlea and as a producer and director of documentaries for CBC Radio. His first theatrical documentary, Life Under Mike, was funded by Michael Moore and won a Media Human Rights Award in 2001. Lance Carlson, Director of Photography, has been working in film and television for more than two decades. His award-winning work has been seen on TVOntario, PBS, The Biography Channel and CBC TV’s The Nature of Things.
To secure a screening copy of Jajo’s Secret, photos for print or to interview anyone associated with its production please contact:
OMNI Media Contact:
Sandy Zwyer – Programme Information Coordinator, 416-260-3590 sandy.zwyer@rci.rogers.com
Koreen Ott – Director, Marketing and Public Relations, 416-764-3250 koreen.ott@rci.rogers.com
Guerilla Films Media Contact
James Motluk - Writer, Director and Producer, 647-895-0212 james@guerrillafilms.com
