"Black Life: Untold Stories" is an eight-part documentary series that reexamines the rich and complex history of Black people in Canada over the course of 400 years. Each episode is directed by a different filmmaker who shares their experiences in documentary filmmaking through a series of video articles. For Elisha K. Harris, the director of the first episode of "Black Life: Untold Stories," this was a very challenging and heart-wrenching undertaking.
"In the Midst of the Heavens, Yet Without Paradise" provides an unflinching review of slavery in Canada, dispelling the country's myth of being a safe haven for Black people. In this episode, historians and experts delve into the harrowing and violent details of slavery in Canada. Harris says, "What makes this subject even more harrowing is that, for the first time, I became aware of these people."
Harris shares his motivation for this episode and its impact on him, stating, "The more we learn about this history, the more it serves as a reminder of the strength of Black people. It reminds us that we have been forced to be strong and to fight until today. But I believe that, simultaneously, we are in the process of healing past generations."

News Sources