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The Canoe

“If it is love that binds people to places in this nation of rivers and in this river of nations then one enduring expression of that simple truth, is surely the canoe.”

This film captures the human connection and bond created by Canada’s well-known craft & symbol, the canoe. Through the stories of five paddlers across the province of Ontario, Canada - a majestic background both in it’s landscape & history - the film underscores the strength of the human spirit and how the canoe can be a vessel for creating deep and meaningful connections.

Produced in partnership by the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Tourism Northern Ontario, Ontario Parks, Northwest Ontario Tourism, Tourism Thunder Bay, and Peterborough & Kawarthas Tourism.

  • Goh Iromoto
    Director / Writer / Cinematographer
  • Courtney Boyd
    Camera Assistant / Sound Recordist / Editor
  • Steve Bruno
    Logistical Coordinator
  • Jason Zukowski
    Colourist
  • Jay Smith
    Motion Designer
  • Joe Barrucco & Kristopher Laflamme
    Re-recording Mixer & Sound Editor
  • Nike Anderson Valeus
    Assistant Editor
  • James Raffan
    Narrator
  • Michelle Savoie (The Connector)
    Featuring
  • Alexandra M. McGee (The Champion)
    Featuring
  • Gary & Joanie McGuffin (The Explorers)
    Featuring
  • Michael Zhang (The Settler)
    Featuring
  • Gail Bannon (The Mentor)
    Featuring
  • Canadian Canoe Museum
    Special Thanks:
  • Fort William First Nation Community
    Special Thanks:
  • Rapid Media
    Special Thanks:
  • Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation
    This film was produced in partnership with
  • Tourism Northern Ontario
    This film was produced in partnership with
  • Ontario Parks
    This film was produced in partnership with
  • Northwest Ontario Tourism
    This film was produced in partnership with
  • Thunder Bay Tourism
    This film was produced in partnership with
  • Peterborough & Kawarthas Tourism
    This film was produced in partnership with
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 11, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Reel Paddling Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    February 23, 2017
    North American Premiere
Director Biography

After receiving his B.A. in Human Geography, Goh’s curiosity of the human spirit led him to a career in documentary photography and filmmaking. Everything he learned working in these genres continue to have a huge influence on his commercial work, where he is known for cinematography that is carefully executed with an authentic and visceral feel.

Today, Goh has received numerous awards, including the 2016 Canadian Society of Cinematographers Webeo Award for his short film “We Belong To It”.

To look at his work is to see a filmmaker shaped by the very things he's captured through a camera lens. From meeting amazing people to exploring some of the planet's most incredible locations, Goh is able to draw upon a lifetime of unique experiences and his passion for storytelling.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I started paddling around the age of 7 throughout the waters of Ontario, Canada. Thanks to the canoe, I’ve made some lifelong friends and connections, not to mention memories and stories, that I’ll never forget.

I came to realize that the canoe was more than just a simple vessel and I wanted to show how several other paddlers similar to me created strong intimate connections alongside the canoe. It really gave me great joy to see how rich the mosaic of stories I encountered were. Whether they were young or old, or from various cultural backgrounds, individuals were taking the traditional Canadian craft and seeking new meaning with it. For me, the diverse paddlers I met while filming this project represented a Canada that has grown and evolved since its birth 150 years ago - and something that I was able to stand proud of today.

I want to thank Ontario Travel and all its partners who encouraged and supported the creation of this film as a way to celebrate our Canadian heritage of paddling.

I’ve continued to paddle my whole life and plan to do so for a very long time. Seeing and hearing these stories made me appreciate and realize how important the canoe is to my life. To all the paddlers out there (and to those who want to start), this film is for you.