French-Canadian docudrama based on Fischer’s book wins a prix Gémeaux

David Hackett Fischer

David Hackett Fischer’s bestselling book “Champlain’s Dream” was the basis and inspiration for a French-Canadian docudrama series that won a prix Gémeaux, which is known as the Emmy Award of francophone Canada.

Le Rêve de Champlain” won for best digital production (website and/or mobile application) for a program or series: docudrama. The prize was announced on Sept. 20 during the 30th Gala des Prix Gémeaux in Montréal.

“Martin Cadotte and Glenn O’Farrell, and the creative teams at TFO and Fair Play and Slalom, have invented ingenious new ways of engaging a broad public in a serious historical project,” said Fischer. “Examples are their use of young on-camera ‘interpreters,’ and their parallel presentation of the project on tablets for small children, and the use of new strategies for story-telling in braided narratives for viewers of every age. They have also tapped the talents of the some of the most gifted and attractive young actors in Canada today.

“The Gémeaux Prize is a testament to their success. It has been a delight to be associated with them, and to learn from their example,” added Fischer.

Fischer, a University Professor and the Earl Warren Professor of History at Brandeis, published “Champlain’s Dream” in 2008 to wide acclaim. He is the author of 15 major publications on topics ranging from the American Revolution to the logic of historical thought. His writing has earned many notable honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for history in 2005 and, to presented later this year, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.

Categories: General, Humanities and Social Sciences

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