James Freer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Freer
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| Born | 4 January 1855 Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England
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| Died | December 1933 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery, Winnipeg |
| Occupation | Film director, farmer |
| Years active | 1897–1902 |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Jenkins (1878–1933) |
| Children | 8 |
James Simmons Freer (born January 4, 1855 – died December 22, 1933) was a very early Canadian filmmaker. He was one of the first people to make movies in Canada.
He was born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. Before becoming a filmmaker, James Freer worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1888, he moved from Bristol, England, to Manitoba, Canada. He became a farmer in the Brandon Hills area, south of Winnipeg.
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The First Canadian Filmmaker
James Freer started making films less than two years after the famous Lumière Brothers showed the first movies in France. This means he was a true pioneer in filmmaking. His first films were shown as early as 1897.
Filming the Prairies
Freer's films were all about the Canadian prairies. He focused on everyday life there. His movies often showed scenes of farming and railways. These were important parts of life in Western Canada at the time.
Promoting Canada with Movies
The Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR) noticed James Freer's films. The CPR was a big railway company. They thought his movies would be a great way to encourage people to move to Canada.
Films Go to the United Kingdom
The CPR decided to show Freer's films in the United Kingdom. The goal was to promote immigration to Canada. One of his most famous films, Ten Years in Manitoba, was shown all over the British Isles in 1898. This tour was very successful. Many people became interested in moving to Canada after seeing his movies.
A Second Tour and Its Challenges
Because the first tour was so popular, a second tour of Freer's films happened in 1902. This time, the tour was supported by Sir Clifford Sifton. He was the Canadian Minister of the Interior. This job meant he was in charge of encouraging people to settle in Canada. Sir Sifton especially wanted English-speaking people to move to the Canadian west.
However, the second tour was not as successful. People had heard that Freer's films didn't show the full truth about Manitoba. They heard he had made the mosquito problem seem smaller. They also heard he didn't show how cold the winters could be. This made some people less eager to move.
Later Life
After the second film tour, James Freer stopped making movies. He later worked for the Winnipeg Free Press, a newspaper. He passed away in Winnipeg in December 1933.
