Apr 1, 2021
Catching up is a series of interviews showcasing various filmmakers based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Treaty 1 territory.
While working as the Archive Assistant for the Winnipeg Film Group, I have been able to look through the films that have been highlighted in the past. Now I want to make room for new artists, to create different avenues of archiving in order to make these new filmmakers’ practices and stories more accessible to the public. This is especially important during these times of isolation when we are unable to physically attend events. I want to bring attention to local filmmakers – who they are, what their focus is and what they’ve been up to during this last year. – Mahlet Cuff
Rachel Beaulieu is an Anishinaabekwe from Sandy Bay First Nation in southern Manitoba. Rachel has focused her creative energy on storytelling through post-production for film and television content. The trajectory of her film making career hasn’t been conventional however her main influence stems from her family.
“I have no idea what made me want to be a filmmaker but I wrote and directed plays with my siblings when I was a kid. That was my first taste of it. As an adult, I thought I wanted to do music recording and production but ended up as a video editor. I was happy doing that until I wanted to tell my own stories. Storytelling has been a big part of my life and family- listening to the grown ups talk and embellish on their adventures was what I looked forward to.”
Her connection with the local film collective has also shaped her views as a filmmaker. “I think the first real thought of me becoming a filmmaker was when I was introduced to the Aborignal Filmmakers Collective Potluck- now called the Indigenous Filmmakers Collective or Indigenous Filmmakers Association. It was a small group of filmmakers that were actually creating films and providing support to each other.”
Through this collective, Rachel is inspired by prominent filmmakers such as Roger Boyer, Ryan Cooper (Wilson) and Justina Neepin. Equally important influences include Taika Waititi, Buffy Sainte Marie, Anikò Kerè, Letica Spence and Eva Thomas. “I would love to work with all of these people mentioned and one of the biggest collabs I would want to be with is Taika, definitely.” Despite her limited time during quarantine, Rachel’s favourites include Beans by Tracey Deer, Indian Road Trip by Allan Hopkins and Shrek.
You can find Rachel Beaulieu through her website where all her films are included on www.candreamproductions.com.
Mahlet Cuff is the Archive Assistant at the Winnipeg Film group, a role made possible through our Archive/Counter Archive Case Study, a project of York University
Catching Up Logo by Shaneela Boodoo
Still from Hunger (2018) by Rachel Beaulieu
Head shot by Rachel Beaulieu
