| The Fogo Island films of 1967-69 played an unintended, and unacknowledged, role in the development of Newfoundland and Labrador culture as Canadians recognize it today. The films were made to support community development on Fogo Island, but their influence goes well beyond what is known as the "Fogo Process." The films and the partnership behind them helped to create the province's distinctive modern-day film and theatre communities. They were also a catalyst for its broader contemporary culture. The NFB has often received exclusive or near-exclusive credit for the Fogo project, but the work began in Newfoundland with Don Snowden, Fred Earle, Memorial University Extension Service and the Fogo Island Improvement Committee. While the project owes much of its success (particularly in its cinematic aspects) to director Colin Low and the NFB, the others' roles were at least as important, and predated the NFB's involvement by several years. |
