November 3, 2014 - Montreal, Quebec - National Film Board of Canada
Danny, an entertaining and inspiring look—back-room anecdotes and all—at former premier Danny Williams, opens in 10 communities across Newfoundland and Labrador starting on November 10. This National Film Board of Canada (NFB) feature documentary is co-directed by Justin Simms and William D. MacGillivray.
Danny follows the former premier throughout his seven historic years in office, during which Newfoundland and Labrador transformed from a “have not” into a “have” province. Featuring interviews with Williams' key staffers, as well as family members and Newfoundland celebrities, the film documents how Williams became one of the most popular Canadian politicians of his era, receiving unprecedented approval ratings during his tenure as premier. He famously battled to ensure that benefits from the province's abundant natural resources flowed back to its people; his mantra of “no more giveaways” was key to his popularity, but pride in his province made Williams a hero to its people and to many Canadians.
The film also includes interviews with Andy Jones, Mark Critch, Greg Malone, Randy Simms, Steve Marshall and Williams' mother, the charismatic and savvy Teresita Galway Williams. Together they weave a great story about Williams and the timely coincidence of his birth in 1949—the same year Newfoundland joined Canada.
Produced and executive produced for the NFB by Newfoundlander Annette Clarke, Danny was hailed as a “fascinating” film by the Halifax Chronicle-Herald, and will kick off its 10-community engagement with a screening at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's, where the former premier will join the co-directors and producer and take questions. Williams will attend the screening in Corner Brook as well. Danny will also be shown at venues in Gander, Stephenville, Grand Falls-Windsor, Clarenville, , Twillingate, Bonavista, Labrador City and Goose Bay (see complete schedule below).
Screening schedule
Monday, November 10 St. John's Arts and Culture Centre
Monday, November 10 Gander Arts and Culture Centre
Monday, November 10 Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre
Monday, November 10 Clarenville Twin Cinemas
Monday, November 10 Bonavista The Garrick Theatre
Wednesday, November 12 Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre
Thursday, November 13 Grand Falls-Windsor Arts and Culture Centre
Friday, November 14 Twillingate Anchor Inn
Friday, November 14 Labrador City Arts and Culture Centre
Monday, November 17 Goose Bay Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre
About the filmmakers
• Justin Simms is an award-winning St. John's-based filmmaker whose debut feature, Down to the Dirt (2008), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Subsequent films include the NFB-produced docudrama Hard Light (2011) and the feature drama Hold Fast (2013).
• Also a native Newfoundlander, William D. MacGillivray is one of the country's most respected filmmakers and the director of Hard Drive (2014) as well as the classics Stations (1983) and Life Classes (1987). MacGillivray is a recipient of the prestigious Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts.
Arts and Culture Centre (St. John's) : artsandculturecentre.com/stjohns/Online/
Arts and Culture Centre (Gander) : artsandculturecentre.com/gander/Online/
Arts and Culture Centre (Stephenville) : artsandculturecentre.com/stephenville/Online/
Twin Cinemas (Clarenville) : clarenvilletwincinemas.com/
The Garrick Theatre (Bonavista) : garricktheatre.ca/
Arts and Culture Centre (Corner Brook) : artsandculturecentre.com/cornerbrook/Online/
Arts and Culture Centre (Grand Falls-Windsor) : artsandculturecentre.com/gfw/Online/
Anchor Inn (Twillingate) : anchorinntwillingate.com/
Arts and Culture Centre (Labrador City) : artsandculturecentre.com/labwest/Online/
Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre (Goose Bay) : obrienartscentre.ca/
Online screening room: NFB.ca
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Twitter: twitter.com/thenfb
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Pat Dillon
NFB Publicist
Cell: 514-206-1750
E-mail: p.a.dillon@nfb.ca
Twitter: @PatDoftheNFB
Lily Robert
Director, Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs
Tel.: 514-283-3838
Cell: 514-296-8261
E-mail: l.robert@nfb.ca
Beginning May 2, 2014, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) marks 75 years of innovation and leadership in social-issue documentaries, auteur animation, and most recently, groundbreaking interactive works. The NFB has produced over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 10 Webbys, 9 Canadian Screen Awards, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. To access acclaimed NFB content, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV.
