Premier for Through a Blue Lens

Vogue Premiere: Toby Hinton, Mark Steinkampf, Veronica Mannix, Dave Kolb, Walt McKay and Al Arsenault at the world premiere of ‘Through a Blue Lens’ at Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre (Nov. 20, ’99).

Vogue Premiere

Odd Squad’s landmark video project about the lives of a half of a dozen drug addicts scratching out a hellish existence in Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside was produced by the National Film Board of Canada. ‘Through a Blue Lens’ has proven to be the NFB’s most successful video in their history (the ‘National Film Commission’ as it was known then was formed in 1939 by an act of Canadian Parliament). It has been viewed, whole or in part, by tens of millions of viewers worldwide. The trials and tribulations of these drug-addicted film subjects were captured and released to the viewing public to high international acclaim. The film delivers a simple but powerful message regarding the perils about drug abuse. The film humanizes the addicts but it also portrays the police officers chronicling life on the mean streets of Vancouver’s Skid Road as caring and compassionate people. The video is a roller coaster of emotion but make no mistake, this is a ride best taken by video only.