World-renowned director Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X mentored Toronto-based emerging and mid-career filmmakers – all Black, Indigenous and people of colour, in 2020 presenting short films that aimed to disrupt, discover and display colonial narratives from the past within the present day world.

As a continuation this project now becomes a public art projection-based program from October 9 to 18, bringing to life hidden truths in Toronto’s history. Images, texts, flashes of insight and the rise of consciousness is all a part of the series that questions everything we were taught to know.

Over the course of 10 days, experience the rise of consciousness and truth tied to the Toronto History Museums across the city as key visuals from the films are powerfully seen on these sites turning them into art installations.

Some of the films themselves are part documentary, some are more experimental; all are based in anti-oppression and offer a look inside a world never seen before.

“Fuyuzakura” is a short film that explores mapping, what kinds of monuments we currently have, and what monuments or public spaces could be possible in the future. The film inspires questions such as: Who and what should we be remembering? What kinds of public spaces should be created that encourage emotional healing? It looks toward a brighter future while not forgetting the mistakes of the past. “Fuyuzakura” was researched and partly filmed at Gibson House.

Michael Hitoshi Maddeaux is a Toronto-based filmmaker. He received his BFA in Film Production from York University where he specialized in cinematography. He has shot for a variety of different projects ranging from narrative short films, to docu-drama television series. His work has screened at festivals like the Toronto Buffer Festival and at venues such as the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

For more information, please visit https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/we-were-always-here/.