Boys Will Be Themselves first premiered on Oct. 7, but remains available online through CBC Gem.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
A new CBC Gem documentary exploring the ways in which understandings of masculinity are changing features input from several Medicine Hat and area residents. And now community members are invited to join in the conversation during a Thursday public screening and discussion at Medicine Hat Public Library at 6:30 p.m.
Titled ‘Boys Will Be Themselves,’ the 45-minute documentary was created by Alberta filmmaker Dylan Rhys Howard, who previously produced the Digging in the Dirt.
“Digging in the Dirt was about the mental health of Alberta’s oil field workers,” Boys Will Be Themselves head researcher Veronika Ilich told the News. “And a lot of that involved conversations around masculinity and the messages about how they should handle themselves at work, at home, but then also in terms of mental health.
“So, Dylan was really inspired by that work (and) when he had the opportunity to do another documentary for CBC Gem, he decided he wanted to continue to explore that question of masculinity, but more from the perspective of where are we going with this conversation?”
While the documentary does touch on heavy topics – like mental health and wellness, expressions of emotion, patriarchy, stereotypes and the deconstruction of such – Ilich says the overall message is positive.
“It is still a fundamentally very hopeful conversation,” said Ilich. “We interviewed a lot of different people for the film – a lot of diverse men – so there’s a ton of different perspectives in the film. So, we’re hoping that people come away from it feeling energized and like (a positive shift in understandings of masculinity) is within reach.”
Christina Johnson, executive director of Medicine Hat’s Senare Centre, says such conversations are an integral part of change.
“One of the themes in the documentary is how isolated men feel,” said Johnson. “And how there is a need for brave spaces for men, and people who care about men, to talk about issues that affect them, so they know they’re not alone.”
Johnson hopes the public screening – which Senare Centre is hosting alongside Pints with the Pack Medicine Hat, a peer group where southeast Albertans of all genders gather to acknowledge the negative impacts of and deconstruct harmful stereotypes about masculinity – will provide that inclusive and safe space for discussion.
Johnson’s hope is shared by Medicine Hat resident Barry O’Donnell, who is one of three Hatters featured in the film.
“I just hope that when people see this documentary, that it starts spreading a message,” said O’Donnell. “And that people start talking and realize there’s going to be a change and there’s people in your community who are already making a difference (by speaking up).
“If the only role models you see are the ones like the John Wayne – the quiet, no emotion men – it changes your attitude and perspective. And you have no idea how to be different, how to be yourself. But if I can be one example (of) being different, being more open, being honest, being accepting, being authentic … we can get the message out to people that it’s OK. And we can let people just be themselves.”
O’Donnell and others involved in the documentary will be at the screening to join in the discussion.
Admission is free. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the screening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
