A documentary about Chinese Canadians aims to rewrite the history books.
The Lost Years covers 150 years of Chinese Canadian history from the Gold Rush days and racist policies such as the Head Tax, redress movement in the 1980s to Canada’s formal apology in 2006. Using personal stories, filmmakers Kenda Gee and Tom Radford show the individuals affected by government policies and social attitudes.
One of those individuals is Larry Kwong, a former Nanaimo Clipper hockey player, who broke the colour barrier in the NHL.
The film stands apart from others by placing Canadian events in a global context by incorporating Chinese experiences in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.
Lost Years won Best Documentary – History and Culture at the 2011 Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival. Prior to its national premiere on CBC on Feb. 18, the film receives a local screening at Vancouver Island University, building 356, room 109, on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation.