THE PALACE

BY JORY THOMAS-BLANCHARD
WILLIAM WHYTE

This film focuses on the Palace Theatre, an abandoned building in William Whyte, as an emblem of the neighbourhood's decline. The Palace is a modern ruin, one of many seen across the neighborhood of William Whyte. Despite being a gateway into Winnipeg’s rich history, the only ones left to care for the building are the pigeons. Pigeons, a species once cared for and domesticated by humans, have now been abandoned and left to fend for themselves. The same can be said for The Palace Theatre, which now serves as a reminder of how crowds of theatre-goers have been replaced by crowds of pigeons.

ALL THAT IS SOLID MELTS INTO AIR

BY JUSTIN ALMONTE
ELMWOOD

"All That Is Solid Melts into Air" explores the decline of Elmwood from a bustling industrial centre to a neighbourhood grappling with crime and neglect. The film reflects on the ruins of abandoned houses and buildings, cracked sidewalks, and overgrown lawns, questioning the neighbourhood's current identity and purpose. These physical ruins symbolize the challenges faced by the community, raising questions about the impact of change and the struggle to maintain a sense of place in the face of decline.

THE STORIES YOU BURY

BY KAREN SERVIDAD
CENTRAL ST. BONIFACE

"The Stories You Bury" delves into the layered history of Central Saint Boniface, exploring the concept of ruins not just as physical remnants but also as a way of controlling historical narratives. The film focuses on the gravestones in the Saint Boniface Cemetery and the surrounding historical buildings, questioning which stories are highlighted and which are buried. The assimilation and cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples during French colonization are acknowledged, revealing the ruins as a reminder of the violence inflicted upon the original inhabitants and their land.

ICEFIELD

BY DILUMI RAJAMANTHRI
NORWOOD WEST

Norwood West's history of ice harvesting is etched into the landscape of the land near the Norwood Community Centre. These sites, once bustling icefields, now serve as recreational spaces, highlighting the transformation of industrial ruins into community areas. The depressions left from dredging have been integrated into the design, creating a space for play and exploration. This adaptive reuse of the landscape demonstrates how the remnants of the past can be reimagined to meet the present-day needs of the community.

ALL GREY

BY NIGEL KUDAKWASHE MUSARA
EARL GREY

"All Grey" delves into the history of Earl Grey, focusing on the remnants of Rooster Town, a forgotten Métis settlement. The film explores the concept of ruins as not just physical remnants but also the traces of a lost community embedded in the fabric of a modern city. The unique design of Lorette Street, where front porches face back alleys, hints at the layered history of the neighborhood, reminding viewers that the past is never truly erased but rather woven into the present.

THE SHORTCUT

BY LEALYN CARLOS
LORD ROBERTS

Lord Roberts, a vibrant Winnipeg neighborhood, faces the pressures of development and the need to preserve its unique identity. The film "The Shortcut" aims to show how a quiet neighborhood has changed over the years, evolving in a sense from the ruins of its industrial history of streetcars – which opened up the community to development over a century ago - to its present car-dominated environment. “The Shortcut” is not just about traffic problems; it’s a reminder of the importance of mindful urban planning to prevent neighborhoods from being overwhelmed by unexpected consequences of unchecked growth.

STROLLING THE BOUNDARIES

BY KIARA DELL’ACQUA
RIVERVIEW

"Strolling the Boundaries" explores the environment around St. Mary's Cemetery and its impact on the Riverview landscape. The film explores the cemetery as a ruin, representing a bygone era and questioning the sustainability of traditional North American cemetery designs. The vast space occupied by the cemetery is intended to prompt reflection on land use in the context of a global housing shortage. The film challenges viewers to consider alternative uses for the land and questions the negative stigma associated with living near cemeteries.

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