In the Land of the Headhunters: B.C.'s first feature film celebrates 100 years

In the Land of the Headhunters, the first feature film made in B.C. — and the oldest existing feature film made in Canada — celebrates 100 years this Sunday.

The film was made in 1914 by Edward Curtis, an ethnologist and photographer, in collaboration with the Kwakwaka'wakw (formerly Kwakiutl) people of northern Vancouver Island.

The film was the first feature made with an entirely indigenous North American cast and mixed drama and documentary to record the traditions and rituals of the Kwakwaka'wakw people.

Film historian Colin Browne first saw the film 20 years ago.

"The idea of the film is that it takes place before any Europeans arrive. These are completely contemporary people in 1914, but they were making a costume drama as if it was 1770."

Bill Cranmer is the hereditary chief of the N'amgis First Nation. His great aunt and uncle were the stars of the film.

"Just to see what they looked like in 1914 was a really great feeling. Seeing the old people as they were, some of the scenes in the film brings us back to the stories told to us by our parents."

The film was unique in its collaboration. The Kwakwaka'wakw people made the costumes and a few helped out on set.

Despite tense race relations at the time, there was a strong partnership between director Edward Curtis and the people he filmed.

In the Land of the Headhunters screens at Vancouver's Pacific Cinematheque at 6.30 p.m. PT on both Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6.

A centennial screening will take place at 7 p.m. PT on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Vancouver's Vancity Theatre and will include a discussion about the film's storied history with Colin Browne and Bill Cranmer.