The Defender

1985 / 16mm NFB release

Synopsis

The Defender follows the adventures of a modern-day folk hero, Bob Demert of Carman, Manitoba. Demert dreams of building the world’s next great fighter plane. He leverages his world wide reputation for authentic restoration of “warbirds” to finance his ambitious new venture.

About the Film

Nationally televised, The Defender has won awards at numerous festivals, including ‘Best Production’ and the Golden Sheaf ‘Best Director,’ Award at the 1989 Yorkton Film Festival and the ‘Superchannel Award’ at the same festival. ‘The film was nominated for two Genie Awards in 1990 (Best Direction, Documentary, and Best Writing, Documentary).

See The Defender online at the website of the National Film Board of Canada:
http://www.nfb.ca/film/defender/
An NFB blog post about The Defender:
http://blog.nfb.ca/2009/07/27/how-to-fighter-airplane-defender-bob-diemert/

Release date: 1988
Duration: 54 min. 54 sec.
Format: 16mm
Produced by: National Film Board of Canada
Distributed by: National Film Board of Canada (www.nfb.ca)

Stephen Low
Director / Writer

Michael Scott / Ches Yetman / Charles Konowal
Producers

Alfonso Peccia
Editor

Cedric Smith
Narrator

Eldon Rathburn
Music

Challenger: An Industrial Romance

1979 / 16mm NFB Release

Synopsis

Challenger: An Industrial Romance follows the development of a new generation of super executive jet. A totally new type of aircraft, the Challenger was designed to be faster, cheaper to fly and more comfortable than anything that had come before—but would the new aircraft make it off the ground? Challenger follows the struggle to turn a paper airplane into a technological and commercial success story.

About the Film

Nationally televised, Stephen Low’s first film, Challenger: An Industrial Romance, became an award-winning success, earning the young filmmaker the Grierson Award for achievement in documentary film and numerous awards at festivals around the world. The Challenger jet, too went on to become a success, not only as an executive jet, but ultimately in various incarnations including the regional jet that would become a key offering of the Bombardier corporation’s aerospace division.

Release date: 1979
Duration: two versions—57 min. 23 sec. / 27 min. 23 sec.
Format: 16mm
Producers: National Film Board of Canada
Distributed by: National Film Board of Canada (www.nfb.ca)

Stephen Low
Director / Writer

Stephen Low / Michael Rubbo / Harry Gulkin / Roman Kroitor
Producers

Andreas Poulsson
Images

Roger Hart
Editor

Awards

(partial listing)

Grierson Award for Achievement in Documentary Film

Columbus Film Festival (1981), “The Chris Award”

San Francisco International Film Festival (1980) “Silver Award”

Information Film Producers of America (1981) “Gold Cindy Award”

Information Film Producers of America (1981), “Best of Show”

U.S. Industrial Film Festival (1981), “First Place Gold Camera Award”