History
Documentary on Second World War’s Camp Norway to be Shot in Nova Scotia
Mishall RehmanThe green light has been announced for the production of a uniquely crafted documentary on the Second World War’s Camp Norway in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
In partnership with The South Shore Genealogical Society and Blue Dory Productions, the movie, entitled “When 800 Norwegians Couldn’t Go Home,” is set to shoot in October and November of this year.
The project is based on the story of Camp Norway, home to 800 Norwegian soldiers who arrived by ship in 1940. The camp was a military training centre that trained more than 1,000 crew members and gunners until the Royal Norwegian Service was disbanded in 1944.
Though some of the men went back to Norway after the war, many stayed behind in the Lunenburg area. These soldiers became an integrated part of the society in this port town of Nova Scotia.
The movie will be created and produced by seniors who had a special connection to the camp.
Before shooting can begin, however, the seniors have been invited to attend workshops on interview skills, storytelling, lighting, video capture and editing. With these skills in hand, the participants will be able to film each other’s testimonials and work through the production process.
“Because the South Shore Genealogical Society preserves and protects the history of Lunenburg County we felt it was important to preserve the stories of Camp Norway before they are lost. We couldn’t think of any better way to collect stories than to engage in this project with Blue Dory Productions. The participants will get to acquire new skills, and we will have the film to add to our archives for years to come for historical records and continued public showings,” said Cheryl Lamerson, SSGS Program Coordinator
The project received $20,000 in funding from Heritage Canada.
The documentary will have an exclusive release later in the year in conjunction with the Lunenburg Doc Fest, Lunenburg Heritage Society, Fisheries Museum and the South Shore Public Libraries. The date is not yet announced.
