As someone who makes documentaries for a living, Charles Wilkinson is glad there’s a place like Knowledge Network – not only as a showcase for his own carefully crafted films, but also for the work of other independent filmmakers from BC and around the world.
Charles and his filmmaking partner and wife, Tina Schliessler, have made a number of films for British Columbia’s public broadcaster, including Peace Out, Oil Sands Karaoke, Haida Gwaii: At the Edge of the World and Vancouver: No Fixed Address. While their documentaries focus largely on environmental and social issues, at the heart of each is that critical element for any film – a really good story.
“You have a sympathetic hero, on a vital quest against insurmountable obstacles. That’s what makes a good story, so that’s what I look for in the films that we do,” says Charles. “A sympathetic hero can be a river, it can be a population… it’s something the audience can relate to and say, that’s me in this story.”
The success of his films could be due, in part, to how connected Charles feels to the people who watch them. “I think about who the Knowledge audience is, and I kind of see that audience in the mirror a bit more each morning when I wake up. They’re less interested in movies about zombies and car chases, although those can be fun too. They’re more into social commentary and learning about the world around them, as I am.”
Knowledge is able to seek out programs that, like Charles’ films, provide diverse perspectives on important issues because, unlike many broadcasters, it isn’t driven by commercial interests or profits. In some cases, Knowledge provides funding – a good part of which has been given by donors – to help worthy film projects make it to the screen.
“The programming that I’m more than fortunate enough to make for Knowledge is about ideas – where there are no agendas, other than to seek the truth,” says Charles.
In today’s media landscape, Charles sees Knowledge as having a vital and growing role. “For local filmmakers looking to make a point-of-view documentary, there aren’t that many places you can go. Knowledge is somewhere where the door tends to be open. It is the strongest force in our BC filmmaking community, and the best work gets shown on Knowledge.”
Beyond the opportunities for his own work, Charles appreciates the quality of programming on Knowledge – so much so that not only does he watch it, he’s a donor himself. “I feel it’s my obligation to contribute… With Knowledge you are basically getting what someone feels in their heart of hearts is really the legitimate and well-researched truth of the matter. That’s something that’s worth preserving and paying for, I think.”
There are many ways to support Knowledge Network, including gifts for annual programming and charitable bequests to the Knowledge Endowment Fund.
To find out more, visit Knowledge.ca or call 604.431.3222 or toll-free 1.877.456.6988.
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