
Documentaries
by
George Siamandas

Pyramids on the Prairie
Featuring
an architectural tour of Winnipeg's Historic Exchange District. The
history of the warehouse district and a tour of the banking, office,
and warehouse buildings enjoying a revival.
The Mennonites of Manitoba
The story of a group of farmer settlers to southern
Manitoba who brought their own language, culture and religion. Mennonites
have thrived and enriched the character of Manitoba.
Winner of a Telly Award
and a Columbus Film Festival award
for producer and writer George Siamandas. |
 |
Lake Winnipeg's Paradise Beaches
For
a hundred years Winnipeggers have enjoyed endless summers at Lake
Winnipeg's sandy beaches.
| The
history and beauty of Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, Grand Beach and Victoria
Beach is told in this 2001 documentary written, narrated and produced
by George Siamandas |
 |

Assiniboine Park:
A Park For All Seasons
This
new documentary tells the story of Assiniboine Park. It shows Winnipeggers'
love for this 100 year old park and how popular the Pavilion, Leo
Mol Garden and Lyric Stage have become with the public. It includes
tours of the English Gardens, the Conservatory, and the Zoo.

Portage
Avenue: Dreams of Castles in the Sky
Dreams
of Castles in the Sky tells the story of how Portage Ave came to be
Winnipeg's Main St. Guided architectural tours of the Boyd Building,
the Bank of Nova Scotia, the Paris Building, the Curry Building, Birks,
the Bay, revealing these architectural gems. We
see how the Portage and Main has evolved and tour its four famous
buildings. And we hear of people's dreams for a revitalized Portage
Ave and Portage and Main.



Winnipeg
In Bloom
Every day
is summer. Just like on the finest summer morning with dew dripping
from Christine's fragrant lilies and roses. So we see and hear
in "Winnipeg in Bloom" a new one hour documentary on
Winnipeg gardens and gardeners which premiered on Prairie Public
TV on Saturday December 4, 2004.
Produced
and written by Winnipeg producer George Siamandas it is one of
the first locally produced films shot in high definition television
format. In this 6th project for the Fargo North Dakota Public Television
Station Siamandas reveals the passions of the people who lovingly
create art and beauty. Gardens with water, gardens with stones.
Gardens with flowers, gardens with hope.
With little
more than 100 frost free days, and clay-ladden prairie soils, the
passionate gardeners of Winnipeg manage to grow outstanding gardens.
Each new year, they emerge like artists ready to recreate a fresh
canvas of delight and exultation. They paint with form and colour.
Turning rubble piles into sanctuaries.
This is the
story of these gardens of love and hope. Nurtured like beloved
children to produce what nature had never intended. Joyful, colourful,
abundant, natural landscapes that succeed in creating a little
Eden in each yard.
In Winnipeg
in Bloom we visit more than two dozen Winnipeg gardens. And learn
how their owners brought them to life and beauty. What do these
gardens mean to their tenders? How did they develop their passion
for what has become North America's most popular hobby and pastime?
From a little
pocket garden, to elaborate acreage. From quaint cottage gardens
to more formalized landscapes. From those that look like they have
come from the pen of a professional to those tended by loving life-long
hobby gardeners. All are equal. All speak to a place in man's soul.
The need to find beauty and harmony. Peace and splendour.
But it's
not just about beauty, and colour. Gardens are a magical healing
place for people recovering from life's stresses and health challenges.
They are nurturing places for the soul.
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