The filmmaker Teresa Alfeld discusses her new documentary The Rankin File: The Legacy of a Radical that will screen at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival (03 and 08 May 2018), the life of Harry Rankin the left-wing firebrand who dominated Vancouver politics in the post-war years to the 1990s, as well the interviews she did with those who were close to and on opposite sides to Rankin, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

The DOXA Documentary Film Festival kicks off tomorrow night with a screening of the new documentary The Rankin File: The Legacy of a Radical. It’s a film that looks back at the larger than life Vancouver politician Harry Rankin. In 1986, after 20 years on Vancouver’s City Council, the acerbic, brilliant lawyer, a darling of the left and bête noir to everybody else, decides to run for the mayoralty of the city. He’s challenged on the centre-right by a young developer named Gordon Campbell. During that time, a friend of Rankin’s, Peter Smilsky begins filming a documentary about Rankin and the people around him. Because of complications in Rankin’s personal life, the film languished in storage. Not too long ago, my guest now, Teresa Alfeld was able to find the film shot, and she soon decides to catch up with those around the late Harry Rankin’s life, and look critically at the city that Rankin wanted to change, and the city that it’s become. It’s a fascinating film that emerges. It’s a full picture of Rankin, in the context of Vancouver’s past and recent history. And it is a marvelous chronicle of Vancouver in those post-Expo days, and even the city today. The film screens tomorrow night 03 May 2018, as well as on Tuesday, 08 May 2018. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information. Teresa Alfeld is a filmmaker and graduate of Simon Fraser University’s Film Production program. She has worked in Vancouver and Toronto as a producer, director, videographer, and editor. Visit www.therankinfilefilm.com for more information on the film. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Teresa Alfeld; Ms. Alfeld, good morning.

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