March 26, 2004

A surprise northern premiere of the movie The Snow Walker, which was filmed in Churchill, will be presented tomorrow alongside the dogsled and snowmobile races, trapper events, feasts and family festivities of WinterFest, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson announced today.

"This weekend, the Polar Bear Capital of the World is demonstrating why Manitoba’s entertainment community is feeling on top of the world," said the minister. "This movie, which is nominated for nine Genie awards, showcases the cinematic excellence that Manitoba has to offer. The production has raised the lifestyle, culture and heritage of the Inuit to the world stage."

The minister is scheduled to arrive in Churchill tomorrow with the movie’s producer Rob Merilees — nominated himself for this year’s Genie award for best picture — to screen the movie for the first time in the northern port community.

A performance by the Juno-nominated Manitoba band Doc Walker is also scheduled this year at the Aurora WinterFest, which Robinson also plans to attend.

"The Aboriginal and Inuit games, competitions and entertainment that are traditional to the people of the North are a cultural experience that provide an exciting launch each year to Churchill’s tourist season," said Robinson.

Doc Walker’s performance tomorrow will also be filmed for a Country Music Television documentary. As well, the band has also been invited to perform April 2 at the minister’s Manitoba Night reception, to be held in Edmonton during the Junos, to showcase the province’s talent in anticipation of the awards show being held in Winnipeg next year.

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