Commentary (voice)

Takahiro Omori came to the U.S. from Japan in 1992 with the goal of becoming a professional bass fisherman. Bass Man finds Takahiro during the 2001 season, the year that began his rise to superstardom against all odds in a sport that’s on its way to becoming the next NASCAR. Takahiro looks to two icons of the sport, Rick Clunn and Jay Yelas, to try and unlock the secrets of their successes and becomes torn between their opposing philosophies on life, God and fishing. Bass Man is an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at this wildly popular and sometimes bizarre sport- the icons, the fans, the history, and the professional fishermen, some forging careers the likes of rock stars, others just struggling to survive.

It’s now 40 years since the end of the Cod Wars between Britain and Iceland. During the 1950s and 60s, Britain consumed 430,000 tons of cod each year, but as the stocks started to diminish the livelihoods of fishing communities in both countries were at stake. Iceland took steps to protect their fishing industry - the mainstay of their economy - resulting in the three so-called Cod Wars. This was a David and Goliath struggle, where the small fleet of Icelandic gunboats were pitted against the British trawlers and the Royal Navy in the North Atlantic. This Icelandic film, made in 2001, tells the story from both sides and reflects on the impact of the Cod Wars in Grimsby and Hull.

This short documentary features Newfoundland fisherman Billy Crane, who speaks frankly on the state of the inshore fishery and how the lack of government support has contributed to the industry’s downfall. He is being forced to leave home to seek employment in Toronto. This film was made with the Challenge for Change program.