To My Son in Spain: Finnish Canadians in the Spanish Civil War

Overview

This documentary features the story of Jules Paivio, the last living Canadian volunteer of the infamous Mackenzie-Papineau Battallion of the “International Brigades”. When Jules left from his home near Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario, his father, a famous Finnish poet, wrote a lasting lament: “To My Son In Spain”. In 1936-37, 1700 Canadians volunteered to fight with the Spanish people against a fascist coup d’etat led by elements of the Spanish Army. Backed by Musselini and Hitler, the fascists were bent on overthrowing Spain’s democratically elected socialist government and replacing it with military and church rule. It could be argued this conflict marked the true beginning of what would become World War II.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

May 30, 2009

Original language

English

Production

Canada Council for the Arts,Ontario Arts Council,Thunderstone Pictures

Cast

Jules Päiviö,Michelle Derosier,Michael Petrou

Director

Dave Clement

Writer

Saku Pinta,Dave Clement

Producer

Saku Pinta,Dave Clement

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

Homepage

Official site

IMDb

tt5294318