Ottawa, Ontario - Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Canadian filmmaker Robert K.Barrett unveils his latest feature-length film, "Wings of Honour," a powerful and emotional documentary, honoring the remarkable legacy of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on its 100th anniversary.
The much-anticipated premiere is set to captivate audiences at the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., ahead of its broadcast premiere on CPAC on June 2, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. EST, and also streamed at cpac.ca.
"Wings of Honour" takes viewers on a journey of Canadian aviation history, as RCAF members from the Second World War to today vividly recall what it was like to be a pilot through events that shaped the development of the country.
Robert K. Barrett, documentary director, producer, and Director of Photography (DOP), is the visionary behind "Wings of Honour." Based in Toronto, Barrett specializes in telling distinctly Canadian stories with an international impact. Filming for "Wings of Honour," started in 2019 and has been a collaboration with Canadian Geographic Films to celebrate the 100-year history of the RCAF.
Criss-crossing Canada and interviewing more than 140 past and present members of the RCAF, including Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Chris Hadfield, Barrett passionately paints an emotional and insightful portrait of the RCAF’s century of service to Canada and its impact on Canadian identity.
Featuring a rare glimpse into the RCAF’s historical archives, and rarely seen NFB historical footage, "Wings of Honour" is a must-see experience for all Canadians. Scheduled to make its broadcast premiere on CPAC on June 2, this documentary promises to resonate with audiences across the country.
Lt-Gen Eric Kenny, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, commented, "As Commander of the RCAF, I am immensely proud of the dedication and achievements of our members throughout our 100-year history. 'Wings of Honour' beautifully captures the service of thousands of Canadians to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the profound impact we have had on our country and the world."
"The Royal Canadian Air Force represents the epitome of courage, resilience, and honour," said Robert K. Barrett. "With 'Wings of Honour,' we want to tell the story of the extraordinary contribution of the air force to protect the freedoms all Canadians cherish.”
“Canadian Geographic is a proud partner of the RCAF100 celebrations, producing this documentary, as well as educational materials including a central website (wingsofhonour.ca), digital storytelling and a giant floor map that will be circulated through its network of 28,000 teachers across the country. Canadians across the country will feel a great sense of pride and a deep appreciation about the RCAF’s enduring history and legacy as they continue to chart new heights into the 21st century,” said Tim Joyce, Executive Producer of the film and VP of Strategic Partnerships of the RCGS.
“We are thrilled to work with Canadian Geographic as the premiere broadcast partner of ‘Wings of Honour’ commemorating RCAF100 celebrations. This is a historic opportunity for our nation to learn about generations of Canadians who have served in the air force,” said Christa Dickenson, President and CEO of CPAC.
The documentary premiere event will be attended by distinguished guests, including the Commander of the RCAF, Lt-Gen Eric Kenny, as well as RCAF personnel, veterans, and representatives from government, diplomatic and the aviation communities, underscoring the widespread significance of the RCAF's centennial milestone.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the filmmaker and special guests during a post-screening question and answer period and reception.
"Wings of Honour" was made possible through the support of the RCAF Centennial Fund, CPAC (Cable Public Affairs Channel), Canadian Heritage and Veterans Affairs Canada, and is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Royal Canadian Air Force and a fitting tribute to its milestone anniversary.
For interviews and photography or video please contact:
Keegan Hoban
Communications Advisor
Canadian Geographic
hoban@canadiangeographic.ca
For more information about "Wings of Honour" and future screenings, visit: wingsofhonour.ca .
About Robert K. Barrett
Robert K. Barrett is a renowned Canadian filmmaker known for his compelling documentaries that illuminate the human experience and celebrate Canada's rich cultural heritage. With a career spanning over four decades, Barrett's work has earned critical acclaim and garnered numerous awards, establishing him as a leading voice in Canadian documentary filmmaking.
About the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Publisher of Canadian Geographic, Canada’s #1 magazine, with more than 4.3M readers each month, the RCGS is dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic opportunities. The Society is one of Canada's largest non-profit educational organizations, comprising more than 28,000 members from across the country. The RCGS is funded primarily through donations. The Society's Board of Governors and its program committees are composed entirely of volunteers.
About CPAC
CPAC is an independent, not-for-profit, commercial-free, bilingual media organization that connects Canadians to their democracy. On its broadcast television channel, website, and social media platforms, CPAC delivers the most comprehensive coverage of the people and events that shape Canadian public policy. Its core programming includes the complete televised proceedings of Canada’s Parliament and in-depth coverage of key political events and public policy debates. Unique to CPAC is its digital offering, which includes up to 14 simultaneous live streams and a video archive boasting over 60,000 hours of parliamentary and public affairs content.
For more information:
Rosemary Thompson
rthompson@rcgs.org
(613) 240-6739
