Sylvia Hamilton – Maroon Films

SYLVIA D. HAMILTON MAROON FILMS Breaking Ground with Untold Stories

Sylvia D. Hamilton has made a successful career of sharing the untold stories of Black Nova Scotians and Black Canadians – codifying, transcribing, and recording to permanently document the community’s history. “During my school and university years, I learned nothing about the history and culture of African descended people in Nova Scotia or elsewhere. I had to search out and learn that history for myself,” Hamilton recalled. “In the process, I knew I needed to also find a way to share what I was learning.” The acclaimed writer, poet, and filmmaker released her first documentary 30 years ago. The film, Black Mother, Black Daughter detailed oral storytelling in the African Nova Scotian community and the tradition of passing down stories through the maternal line. Quoting Toni Morrison, ‘If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written, then you must write it,’ Hamilton explained why she made a career telling the stories from her community. “I wanted to make films about us – African descended people in Nova Scotia and Canada.” To support her work, she launched her own production company called Maroon Film. “Making a film is a very labour-intensive undertaking requiring a large investment of time, energy and personal sacrifice. It was only logical that I control and own the films I make and that meant taking on the roles of producer and director,” she said. “My mother, Dr. Marie Hamilton taught me not be afraid to try new things, to take responsibility for myself and to make my own decisions. Years before I taught myself about our history and culture, I rolled up my sleeves to teach myself about setting up and running my own production company.” The namesake for the production company is a tribute to the Maroons, a group of Nova Scotian settlers of African descent who were sent to the province in exile from Jamaica in 1796. The group helped build Government House, the home of Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor, and the Halifax Citadel. “They were independent minded, freedom loving people. I used the name Maroon for my company, Maroon Films Inc., in recognition of that spirit.” Choosing to go it on-her-own is a double-edge sword; with her own creative license and owning the rights to her works came a heavy burden. “Financing documentaries, or any film in fact, is daunting. The funding formula is like a pie with slices of investments coming from a number of sources and often one is contingent on another to be in place before a production can go ahead,” said Hamilton. “Not only am I producing but researching, writing and directing my projects, too.” Hamilton’s work has paved the way for a new generation of African Nova Scotian filmmakers, like North Preston’s Tyler Simmonds. She’s excited by the emerging creative community and hopes to mentor new artists by asking them what they need, instead of telling them how things work. “When you step up to do something new or different, there will be voices saying ‘you can’t do that’, or ‘Black people don’t do that’. We need to help young entrepreneurs block out those negative voices and reassure them that the world is open to them.”

By Nicole Brooks de Gier Photography by Paul Adams

Sylvia D. Hamilton, Maroon Films

Sylvia D. Hamilton Maroon Films (902) 422-6011 ext 233 maroonfilms@ns.sympatico.ca