I caught the start of the CBC's mini-series "October 1970" last night. Good, gripping, and dramatic, I thought, I hope it finds an audience. The pre-launch story has mostly been Quebec media asking why only the English get to see something this good, since Radio-Canada refused to be part of the film.
I can't help thinking: Where are the big histories of October 70? Where are our historians? No doubt they will grouse about the film version, but at least the filmmakers are making the effort.
I interviewed Wayne Grigsby, producer and co-author of "October 70," last month. I was thinking of how the CBC has always turned and run whenever controvery arises from one of its historical programs. I thought maybe he wouldn't want to comment, seeing he has to work with the network. He said:
"No, I can comment. They have funding to protect and they do want to avoid controversy. And I have some sympathy for that, but not when they fold so quickly. Getting a historian to criticize "Prairie Giant" and not even letting the film makers see or respond to charges made there…." He left the end of his sentence hanging.
Later he said, "Maybe I’m not surprised, because I know broadcasters have their own agendas when controversy arises. But they should realize that these subjects are controversial, and if they are not prepared for controversy, they should not get involved. I’m disappointed by the CBC in the "Prairie Giant" situation.
Yeah, me too. I'd love to see debate about "October 70" (Grigsby said he'd welcome it, too) -- but would it mean the CBC would simply yank the thing from circulation? Maybe we'll keep following this here.
