A feature film with a Metchosin connection will see an exclusive first sneak peek in the West Shore tonight (Aug. 26).
Long-time resident and director Anna Tchernakova returns to the home she calls “paradise” to present a behind-the-scenes and up-to-date look at her coming film Flying Children.
Wednesday’s presentation at Metchosin Community House will take participants through the filmmaking process, from pre- to post-production and is meant to inspire creativity in her community.
“It is a story about a six-year-old girl (Maria). Her parents have an argument and her mom leaves, saying she doesn’t know when she will be back … the girl wants to keep them together so she starts telling a fairly tale,” said Tchernakova, who is also co-editing and co-wrote the film.
“It is a story about love, family and children who are sometimes wiser than we think they are, and in this particular story, the little girl makes a miracle happen.”
After filming for 28 days in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tutaev (a small town on the Volga River) in the spring, the 13-year Metchosin resident returned home to clear her mind and re-connect with nature while editing the film. She hopes to have it completed for a film festival run and a release in Russia and on iTunes in 2016.
“(Metchosin) anchors me. Filmmaking is actually creating lots of false realities that become real on screen, but there is a lot of pretending, and if you are entirely in this world it is easy to lose touch with reality,” she said. “Every day (Metchosin) teaches me to be a responsible human being … I stay here to write and edit; it gives me the concentration I need. This part of my life is extremely important.”
A film school graduate in 1994, Tchernakova first fell in love with film as a fine arts student. But she found that limitations in her medium did not allow for a “complete” way for her to express herself.
She said the presentation about her Russian/Canadian co-production is less about boasting of her own work and more about inspiring others to follow their own creative paths.
“There are many interesting people living in Metchosin. Some are artists, painters, writers and some just retired and interested in art. I think my desire is to inspire people to do all kinds of creative things themselves,” she said.
“Anything done with passion is wonderful, benefiting the community. Many people who don’t consider themselves creative do have a spark. I want people who come to my talk to say it was interesting and go out and do something artistic.”
Tchernakova’s presentation takes place at 7 p.m. at the Metchosin Community House, 4430 Happy Valley Rd. Admission and refreshments are free. For more information visit annatchernakova.com
alim@goldstreamgazette.com