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Margaret, Walking

In the 1940s a teenage woman, Margaret (Maggie), walked to work each day down a long Main Street in the Mennonite town of Steinbach, Manitoba. These were war years in a pacifist town. She passed shops and businesses as she walked, and she dreamed of her future, of the outside world. She also remembered how her uncle had built an airplane in 1932. The town opened up from one language at one end of the street into many in the general store Maggie worked in at the other end, and the flight was a metaphor for the progress of the town from its traditional roots. Using archival photos and an actor playing Maggie today, the video explores all of this.

Margaret, Walking is written by Canadian poet, essayist, and playwright, Patrick Friesen.

  • Camren Von Riesen
    Director
  • Patrick Friesen
    Writer
  • Patrick Friesen
    Narrorator
  • Niko Friesen
    Original Score
  • Tamera Friesen
    Key Cast
    "Maggie"
  • Camren Von Riesen
    Editor
  • Camren Von Riesen
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 25, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English, French, German
  • Shooting Format:
    Blackmagic Pocket Cinema
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Camren Von Riesen

Camren Von Riesen is a versatile filmmaker hailing from Winnipeg, Canada. With a passion for storytelling, Camren works primarily in the documentary and commercial sectors with company Handcraft Creative, bringing a unique and authentic voice to every project. Whether editing, shooting, or directing, Camren’s hands-on approach to filmmaking allows for a deeply personal and immersive perspective in every film they create. Their work reflects both a keen eye for detail and a commitment to capturing the human experience with sincerity and craft.

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Director Statement

This project was both challenging and deeply rewarding. It involved a great deal of experimentation as I worked to balance archival photos, sourced video, and original footage. My goal was to create visuals that felt like a daydream on a hot summer day—where the mind drifts between reality and imagination, blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s not.

All the captured footage of Maggie was shot in her hometown of Steinbach, Manitoba. Some scenes were filmed on the very street where she grew up, adding an authentic touch to the film.

This project is quite personal, truly a family endeavour. The character of Margaret is my Grandmother and is portrayed by her granddaughter, Tamera Friesen—my sister—capturing her likeness and spirit. The voice and words you hear in the film come from her son, Patrick Friesen—my uncle. And the original music that accompanies the story was composed by Niko Friesen, her grandson and Patrick's son.