There will be a screening of One Day in December on Sunday, at 2 PM on December 11th, at the Bata Film Theatre; it’s free, but everyone has to register by Eventbrite; here’s the link:

Trent Film Society and LA Alfonso present, One Day in December (20 min. 2022), a short musical film that imagines the experience of a teacher and students who witnessed the great fire at the Quaker Oats factory in 1916 from their classroom at King George Public School. Years later, ghosts of memories appear for an older man who vows peace. It features musical performances by singers Marsala Lukianchuk and Rob Fortin and a cast of children. Followed by a Q & A with me. Tickets are free, but you have to register. Thanks, LA

“One Day in December was filmed at King George Public School and had its first screening there in Room 12.”

From One Day in December: A teacher and her students from 1916 witness the factory fire (in song) from their classroom at King George pubic school where the film was shot and, in May 2022, subsequently projected onto the room’s windows (Pictured from left to right: Indigo Chesser, Marsala Lukianchuk, Lucy Dorset, Miles Philpot, Hunder Vaccaro-Webb, Simon Philpot, Gillian Coons, [hidden] Nick Goedhuis)

“At King George Public School on Armour Hill, overlooking the Quaker plant, the children and teachers witness the explosion.”

From One Day in December: Grandpa (Rob Fortin) and grandchild (Meara Watson) walk the empty school hallways waking ghosts.

“It’s winter 1916 and war is raging in Europe. In Peterborough, Ontario the Quaker Oats mill is working around the clock to meet wartime contracts. The heightened activity has overwhelmed the plant’s system for controlling the grain dust. On December 11, a Monday morning, a small fire breaks out in a grinding room, igniting the cloud of dust. The ensuing explosion destroys the factory, killing 24 workers. The fire burns for four days.”

Never-before-published rarely seen photographs of the fire and its aftermath by Fred Roy is featured in the film thanks to Jon Oldham and Peterborough Museum and Archives
From One Day in December: the schoolteacher (Marsala Lukianchuk) looks out the window with a great view of the Quaker Oats factory.

A Paradigm Pictures production of a film by LA Alfonso One Day in December Featuring Marsala Lukianchuk, Rob Fortin Producers LA Alfonso, Rob Fortin, Susan Newman Director, Screenwriter, Editor, LA Alfonso, Lyrics Rob Fortin Music, Musical Director Susan Newman Powered by Public Energy Performing Arts Introducing Indigo Chesser, Gillian Coons, Lucy Dorset, Nick Goedhuis, Miles Philpot, Simon Philpot, Emma Papageorge, Mark Romeril, Hunter Vaccaro-Webb, Charlie Watson, and Meara Watson Director of Photography Pawel Dwulit Associate Producer Rob Viscardis Props and Set Designer Victoria Wood Costume Designers Caitlin Haveman, Georgia May, Jayne Martin Hair and Makeup Rosie Salcido Sound Recording and Mixing James McKenty Chalkboard Artist Jennifer (Opal) Elchuk Additional Casting Barbara Taylor-Mills Coordinator, Additional Support Angel Hamilton Clarinet/Guitar/Programming Joe Fortin Bass Dan Fortin Additional Sound Effects Jared Bremner Special Thanks to Jon Oldham and Peterborough Museum and Archives Photographs by Fred Roy courtesy of City of Peterborough, Produced for Erring at King George thanks to Bill Kimball

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