Video by Ilya Alexandrov

This film, in production, is a full-length documentary about the remarkable artist Beau Dick. The hallmark of a truly great artist is the ability to give form to the intangible. Tapping into the collective memory of his people and turning their greatest fantasies into reality, Beau Dick is one such artist. An enigmatic carver of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations, Beau’s eclectic masks have been celebrated across the global art scene as vibrant expressions of West Coast Native mythology. But the line where artist ends and society begins is constantly blurred, and with the commercial aspects of his work often overshadowing its cultural connections, the deeper matter of who Beau and his people are ends up pushed to the wayside. Looking to his past for answers, Meet Beau Dick strives to unearth the factors that have made Beau who he is today -- his upbringing, his struggles with identity -- and like a carver chipping away at a block of wood, bring something clearer out of the woodwork. As Beau reconnects to his roots and develops as an artist and steward for is people, the story of the Kwakwaka’wakw themselves is brought to the forefront; their rich history, their dramatic mythology, and the terrible scars endured under colonial brutality. Weaving together the personal and cultural until both become inseparable, the documentary presents a man who has finally reconciled the two. With Beau’s self-knowledge he understands the power of an artist can be enormous, and begins to use that clarity to move forward into the future. Detailing his work both in his community and in the Idle No More movement, Meet Beau Dick peers into a man whose art and life continue to transcend expectations and boundaries. Coming round full circle to the gallery in which the film begins, his work takes on new meaning; Beau Dick is not simply a maker of monsters, he is a conqueror of them as well. About the producers: Natalia Tudge - Producer /Riveal Entertainment Inc. Producer, writer, and production manager Natalia Tudge hit the film scene over ten years ago with an eye for flair and no shortage of ambition. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York in 2000 and completing Capilano University’s Film Studies program a year later, she embarked on a number of Canadian and international projects spanning music videos, documentaries, dramatic shorts and lifestyle programming. Her award-winning short films E?Anx (the Cave) and Inconvenience earned her widespread acclaim at such celebrated exhibitions as the Berlin International, Toronto International, and Sundance Film Festivals. Since then, Tudge has thrived among local and national industry greats, often wearing many hats at once. As both development executive and associate producer for Waterfront Pictures’ busy production slate, she recently wrapped up the feature film Deep Cove starring Haylie Duff and Aaron Ashmore. In addition to producing four seasons of CMT Canada’s hit series CMT Star, her position as head of development for Rugged Media engaged her in several collaborative projects with the likes of Movie Central, BC Film, Telefilm, and Canada Council. The past year has seen Natalia production manage the Food Network’s World’s Weirdest Restaurants with Paperny Entertainment, and HGTV Canada’s Urban Suburban with Force Four Entertainment. Despite her hectic schedule, Natalia manages to devote her spare time to her blog and Hush Magazine column Thrifty in the City, ever nurturing her keen interest in lifestyle trends and metro flare. LaTiesha Fazakas- Producer & Art Historian, Consultant/ArtWise LaTiesha’s experience managing galleries and curating private collections, supervising large art commissions and art consulting, gives her a unique insight into the art world. LaTiesha earned her degree in Art History from the University of British Columbia, and has combined her academic background with an impressive amount of practical experience working closely with artists. LaTiesha is a leading expert in the field of Northwest Coast Art and her consulting business ArtWise, represents some of the top Northwest Coast artists including the subject of this film Mr. Dick. LaTiesha represented Mr. Dick at the 2010 International Biennale in Sydney Australia and is a frequent visitor at his studio in Alert Bay, BC. Her vast knowledge of Northwest Coast Art and cultural practices has led to numerous filmmakers seeking out her advice and expertise (examples?). LaTiesha’s many consultations sparked an interest in producing an art-based documentary of her own and through this endeavor she and producer Natalia Tudge, are joining forces expecting many creative collaborations in the future. Combining LaTiesha’s artistic eye and Natalia’s keen business sense, it was only a matter of time before an amazing project would be in the works for these two disparate, but complimentary talents. Visit for more information