By Melanie Penner

An award winning filmmaker is returning to Morden to reflect on his career and share memories of his childhood growing up in the small Manitoba community.

How does a young boy from Morden become a celebrated Emmy winning documentary filmmaker? David Rabinovitch says “It all started at the Kenmor.”

So it is only fitting that he take centre stage at the historic Kenmor Theatre on Saturday, September 13 to tell the story of his journey to success.

In a phone conversation leading up to the special evening in Morden, David recalled the movie theatre where he watched his first movies.

“Ernie Kendall ran the theatre and he was a family friend, so I’d often watch from the projection booth behind the projector running the old 35 millimeter reels.“

Looking back, David said this was likely part of what influenced his decision to pursue a career in filmmaking.

“When the Chautauqua Spirit committee invited me to participate in the evening, the idea of holding it at the Kenmor had great sentimental appeal for me,” he said.

“An Evening with David Rabinovitch: A Filmmakers Journey” will re-introduce him to Morden residents and also pay tribute to his achievements.

The Rabinovitch name may be familiar to many Mordenites as “Doc” Rabinovitch and his son Milton (David’s father) were well known businessman in Morden for many years.

“Doc” Rabinovitch (David’s grandfather) came to Morden in the early 1900’s when he immigrated to Canada and created the landmark business. “Rabinovitch and Son” was a popular clothing store on Stephen Street.

David noted in many ways it feels as though he has never really left the community.

“My family has been associated with the town for close to 120 years now, and even though I haven’t lived there for a long time, we still have friends there,” he said.

“To be working on a project with the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre that brings me to town more frequently to continue that association is something I’m looking forward to,” he added.

David’s filmmaking career has spanned over 30 year, and his work has earned him numerous honours, including a Peabody Medal, two Emmy’s, four CINE Golden Eagles and the Gemini Award for Best Director.

David began his career as a producer/director at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto. Moving to Los Angeles in 1977, he produced the EMMY-winning magazine series Here & Now for CBS. In 1978 he created a Documentary Unit at KRON (NBC) in San Francisco, where he produced Shanghai Shadows, the first American documentary in China (1980), and Politics of Poison, an environmental investigation which resulted in David’s presenting the film to a Congressional committee chaired by Al Gore.

He is now based out of Seattle, Washington where he is an independent documentary producer for Fleetwood Films.

As a documentary storyteller for radio, TV, and film, David has met many famous people, been involved with landmark events, and been an eyewitness to history.

From an interview with Pierre Trudeau to being featured on the cover of Time Magazine and being shot at by Puerto Rican drug lords while filming from a helicopter, there have been some fascinating encounters along his journey.

"We are excited to present this special evening with David Rabinovitch as part of our year-long Cultural Capital celebration. David is a “native-son” and, like Loreena McKennitt, his art is making Morden proud on the world stage," said Larry Danielson, Chairperson for the Chautauqua Spirit committee and one of the organizers of the event.

In this moderator led session, David will share excerpts from a number of his films and discuss his innovative new project “Swimming with Bruce,” a High-Definition documentary depicting the discovery of marine reptiles that inhabited this region millions of years before the Town of Morden was settled.

Led by Al Friesen of Goldenwest Broadcasting, the conversation will include memories of growing up in Morden, recollections of becoming a filmmaker, perspectives on his storytelling art and advice to budding filmmakers. David will also field questions from the audience.

One part of the "Chautauqua Spirit" mural created by Margie Hildebrand and recently unveiled in Morden also pictures David as a filmmaker.

Morden residents may soon be able to see him in action as filming begins for "Swimming with Bruce." 

The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre is a key tourist attraction for the community and continues to make a name for itself with the recent discovery of another mosasaur “Angus.”

Executive Director David Wilkinson said they are honoured to have David Rabinovitch working with them on this project.

Wilkinson said Rabinovitch was intrigued with the element of human discovery behind the “Bruce” mosasaur and thought it would make a great feature film.

“The whole thing is very exciting, I can hardly keep my feet on the ground,” said Wilkinson.

Fleetwood Films is promoting “Swimming with Bruce” on its website and states that the 3D film will tell the untold story on one of the largest mosasaurs in the world. With archaeological digs and historical facts, this film will be an informative, educational tool for audiences of all ages.

It will be the first high definition film about life as predator and pray in the great Western Interior Seaway of the Cretaceous Period.

Audience members for the evening will be treated to the first viewing of the trailer for the fossil documentary "Swimming with Bruce.”

Tickets for the evening are free, however viewers must have one to attend the event. They are available at Thornview Grocery, the Morden Friendship Centre or the Pembina Hills Arts Centre. If you live out of town, you can also reserve a ticket by contacting Danielson at 822-3104 or at ldanielson@mts.net.