In 1846, Paul Kane hitched a ride west, via the fur-trade brigades to document what he believed to be the last remains of Native North American life "untainted" by European influence. However, when Kane returned to his Toronto studio in 1848, he largely embraced the Eurocentric idea of the "Noble Savage" in both the romantic paintings he produced and the book he published about his travels. By exploring the life and work of Paul Kane, the documentary shows how his art was shaped by his mentors, his patrons and his passion.

Narrated by the acclaimed North American native actor, Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves), the documentary brings to life Paul Kane’s epic journey and his later struggle as a society artist using readings from his published book juxtaposed with dialogue from the "real" Paul Kane. This narrative is illustrated with spectacular scenics, dramatic re-creations, Kane’s romantic oil paintings and the authentic pieces Kane sketched in the field. Inter-woven are interviews and personal stories from a variety of people along Kane's route including curators, historians, artists, and descendants of his own family and the native people he sketched and painted.

Artwork courtesy: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto; Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas

Producer/Director: John Bessai
Co-Producer/Editor: Joan Prowse
Executive Producer: Richard Nielsen
Written by: Joan Prowse and John Bessai

A CineFocus Canada Production produced in association with Bravo! NewStyleArtsChannel, APTN (Aboriginal People’s Television Network), Canadian Learning Television, SCN, Knowledge Network and the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund. With the participation of the Canadian Television Fund and Telefilm Canada.

NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE INTERNATIONALLY in English and French.
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