I spent many, many fascinating (and sometimes frustrating!) hours researching, filming and editing my new documentary Anna Kaljas: The Untold Story, which premieres Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Princess Twin Cinemas in Waterloo.
My search for insight even took me to Estonia via Zoom where I interviewed retired cellist and broadcaster Jüri Täht while Estonian videographer Patricia Goh captured the visuals. Jüri told me how his life was forever changed by Anna’s mentorship and kindness when he was a teenager living in a refugee camp in Germany just after the Second World War.
I am indebted to local sources as well, especially Mervyn Mothersell – author of Anna’s 2006 memoir “A Lifetime of Memories” – who provided essential access to the text and to the interviews and videos behind the book..
Numerous other sources were generous with their time and insights in providing background, context and/or on-camera interviews. Their admiration for Anna propelled me forward.
I am very grateful for the financial support from the Waterloo Region Arts and from longtime friends of Anna Kaljas, Frank Etherington and Sue Coulter.
Thank you to John Tutt for inviting me to screen the documentary at the Princess Cinemas in Waterloo. John is a strong supporter and advocate of local indie filmmakers, both documentaries and fictional works. He brings years of experience and a cool head to the premiere of my documentary. Without him and the staff at the Princess, I would be left to manage ticket sales and arrangements for the opening night fundraiser.
And speaking of that, I’m grateful to the members of the Kitchener Estonian Society for hosting the premiere reception and preparing some tasty, traditional Estonian treats for those in attendance.
Every artist needs a muse and mine is my partner in life, Kathy Storring. She willingly brings her years of experience as an editor and writer to my projects. Her keen sense of storytelling; her instinct for when to cajole and when to be tough; and her ability to clearly articulate her suggestions all add a polished finish to my work that I could never achieve on my own.
Other artists and friends added vital professional skills to this project – drama coach Gary Kirkham; drone-pilots Innar Hunt in Estonia and Tomasz Adamski in Kitchener; technical editor Daniel McLeod; graphic artist Diane Shantz. Thanks also to Robert Waldeck and Chea Han Kirkham for participating in a test screening.
Thank you to Maggie Kaljas, Anna’s daughter in-law; Stephanie Merli, Anna’s granddaughter; and Anna’s great granddaughters, Mia and Malin Merli, for their time and diligence in perfecting their dramatic readings from Anna’s memoir.
And my heartfelt thanks to all of the Kaljas family not only for their enthusiastic support for this project, but also for their years and years of hard work in assisting Anna Kalja’s mission to create a society where everyone has a place to call home.
The debut of “Anna Kaljas: The Untold Story on Thursday, Sept. 21 is SOLD OUT. However a second screening has be added on Sunday, Sept. 24. 2 p.m. at the Princess Twin Cinemas, 46 King St. N., Waterloo.
On opening night, $10 of each ticket sold will be donated to a grassroots housing initiative, A Better Tent City.
For ticket info, future showings and a trailer of the film, see: www.princesscinemas.com/movie/anna-kaljas-the-untold-story
Visually Speaking 