To My Son in Spain: Finnish Canadians in the Spanish Civil War
“To My Son”
2009•42m•Released
Documentary
This documentary features the story of Jules Paivio, the last living Canadian volunteer of the infamous Mackenzie-Papineau Battallion of the “International Brigades”. When Jules left from his home near Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario, his father, a famous Finnish poet, wrote a lasting lament: “To My Son In Spain”. In 1936-37, 1700 Canadians volunteered to fight with the Spanish people against a fascist coup d’etat led by elements of the Spanish Army. Backed by Musselini and Hitler, the fascists were bent on overthrowing Spain’s democratically elected socialist government and replacing it with military and church rule. It could be argued this conflict marked the true beginning of what would become World War II.
Director
Dave Clement
Writer
Dave Clement, Saku Pinta
Studio
Ontario Arts Council
Cast
Michelle Derosier
Narrator
Jules Päiviö
Self, Spanish Civil War veteran
Michael Petrou
Self, author of 'Renegades: Canadians in the Spanish Civil War'
Production
Company
Ontario Arts Council
Company
Thunderstone Pictures
Company
Canada Council for the Arts
Producer
Dave Clement
Producer
Saku Pinta
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