Winds of Heaven September 29, 2011

Canadian painter Emily Carr (1871-1945) was one of Canada’s great artists, heavily influenced by the indigenous peoples of the Northwest coast and the power of the forests and landscapes of British Columbia. Ostroff’s filmic journey explores the deep, brooding mystery and inner beauty of Carr’s post-impressionist work and offers a lyrical, entertaining portrait of an influential life, time, and spirit which today lives on through the renowned Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. “Carr struggled to be accepted at a time when few women painted. The film smartly tackles the many-layered issues that arise from Carr’s appreciation of native culture and her own artistic approach to it, including the issue of appropriation. An inspiring story of an artist who struggled and fought hard not to give in to dismay and disappointment … a lovely reminder about the importance of stepping away from the politics of culture and just looking at the art.”—Globe and Mail, Toronto. (87 mins.)

Official Website: http://www.nwfilm.org/screenings/36/355/#2168