It’s been awhile since I’ve updated my documentary progress. Just before the pandemic, all was on track to complete filming by summer 2020. I received a generous contribution from the Mackenzie Papineau Battalion Trust which allowed be to pay myself for the first time ever and hire a camera crew and pay for travel. In February, I spent 3 full days filming in Spain in/at Barcelona, Sant Ferran Castle, Colmenar cemetery, Tarancon tribute, and the Jarama March. I recorded wonderful interviews with Eddie O’Neill, President, Friends of the International Brigades in Ireland; Máximo Molina Gutiérrez, Chairman of Cuenca Chapter of the Asociacion parala Recuperacion de la Memoria Histórica; Nick Lloyd, Author, ForgottenPlaces Co-founder and Spanish Civil War tour guide; Ben Pratt, relative of Quebec MacPap Albert Beaulieu. Back in Canada, I had scheduled most of the remaining interviews to take place from March - June, but then I had to cancel everything.
Like many creative people, there have been many times during the pandemic that I found it difficult to focus and achieve my goals. After starts and stops over the last 20 months, I’m starting to fundraise again to complete the project. I’m also co-organizing the annual Remembrance Day tribute to the MacPaps buried in Canada. This year will be the most successful year yet with volunteers paying tribute at over 110 graves across the country.
As always, I remain passionate about completing the documentary and sharing the story of the volunteers who left from Canada to join the International Brigades.