The People in Black

16mm black & white film, 9 minutes 15 seconds, 1992

The People in Black is a lyrical documentary about the Hutterites, an anabaptist group living a simple, communal lifestyle on the Canadian prairies. The film uses slow-motion cinematography and the Hutterites’ own old-world songs and prayers to evoke the gentle simplicity of their devotion.

Selected Festival Screenings and Premiere Broadcasts:

Friedberger Filmtage in Friedberg, Germany, 1994

Winner Fourth Overall

National Educational Film and Video Festival in Oakland, California, 1994

Winner Bronze Apple Award

Saskatchewan Film and Video Showcase, 1992

Winner Best Experimental Film

  • Montreal, Quebec, Concordia University, 2003
  • Halifax, NS – Atlantic Filmmakers Co-op, 2003
  • Montreal Festival of New Film and Video, Montreal, Canada, 1995
  • Sydney Film Festival, Australia, 1994
  • FilmWest Festival in Milperra, Australia, 1994
  • International Festival of Audio-Visual Programs (FIPA), Cannes, France, 1994
  • Exploring Alternatives, Toronto Public Library, 1994
  • One World Film Festival in Calgary, Alberta, 1994
  • Toronto Festival of Festivals, Toronto, Canada, 1993
  • Three Evenings of Saskatchewan Film Artists, Moose Jaw Art Museum, SK, 1994
  • Parties de Campagne Festival in St-Flour, France, 1993

The People in Black has been acquired by such broadcasters as the SCN, WTN – Women’s Television Network, and TV5.

CREDITS
Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Co-producer Robin Schlaht
Producer Lori Kuffner
Executive Producer Stephen Onda
Sound Recordist Lorene Jewitt
Post-production Sound Pat Butler
Made with assistance from:
Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada
The Saskatchewan Arts Board
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation
The National Film Board of Canada’s PAFPS program
The Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative
The Canada-Saskatchewan Partnership Agreement on Culture
The People in Black was filmed with the gracious participation of the Baildon Hutterite Colony, Saskatchewan, Canada.