
The 1978 discovery of 533 reels of nitrate film beneath the permafrost of a decommissioned swimming pool, later known as the Dawson Film Find, serves to frame a narrative of the Canadian gold rush, the dawn of 20th century America, and Hollywood in the silent era.
Contents of the unearthed reels help portray the story of Dawson City: how native lands of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin became a frontier, a boomtown, and an entertainment hub, before industrial monopolies and poverty of resources ensued. The 1957 documentary City of Gold captured Dawson in the shadow of its former glory.
The film utilizes a number of silent film techniques, consistent with the subject matter, including intertitles in place of voice-over narration, as well as archival sound and a prominent musical score. Brief interviews with those who saved the reels have a more contemporary documentary style.
- Year2016
- Runtime120 minutes
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorBill Morrison
- ScreenwriterBill Morrison
- ProducerBill Morrison, Madeleine Molyneaux
- CinematographerBob Curtis-Johnson
- EditorBill Morrison
- AnimatorGalen Johnson
- Sound DesignJohn Somers
- MusicAlex Somers
The 1978 discovery of 533 reels of nitrate film beneath the permafrost of a decommissioned swimming pool, later known as the Dawson Film Find, serves to frame a narrative of the Canadian gold rush, the dawn of 20th century America, and Hollywood in the silent era.
Contents of the unearthed reels help portray the story of Dawson City: how native lands of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin became a frontier, a boomtown, and an entertainment hub, before industrial monopolies and poverty of resources ensued. The 1957 documentary City of Gold captured Dawson in the shadow of its former glory.
The film utilizes a number of silent film techniques, consistent with the subject matter, including intertitles in place of voice-over narration, as well as archival sound and a prominent musical score. Brief interviews with those who saved the reels have a more contemporary documentary style.
- Year2016
- Runtime120 minutes
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorBill Morrison
- ScreenwriterBill Morrison
- ProducerBill Morrison, Madeleine Molyneaux
- CinematographerBob Curtis-Johnson
- EditorBill Morrison
- AnimatorGalen Johnson
- Sound DesignJohn Somers
- MusicAlex Somers