It was a big year for Partus Films….its birth year.

Like all things one year of age, Partus is in its infancy,  finding itself in a very big world  populated by everything that came before. I’d like to think that in our first year of growth we’ve managed, like all beginners, to look around, feel things out and explore our surroundings.

Role models are many and teachers have come in many shapes and sizes, from other kids on the block to mentors kneeling with open arms.

It has been a year of  companionship and collaboration within Ottawa’s arts community, a playground of talent with few bullies and enough sand for everyone.

As we welcome 2012 we want to thank each and every influence, every song, every poem, every person who played a foundational role.

As far as firsts go, we couldn’t be happier….well I couldn’t be happier!

Craig

In the latest installment of The Ottawa Voice Box Sessions, we wanted to give local musician Lindsay Ferguson, a platform to showcase her voice and her popular cover of “Donal Og”. Because of the nature and tone of the song we chose Ottawa’s Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. The churches ambiance and open door policy provided us with an interesting location to film the acapella performance. Patrons prayed and glided around both the camera and Lindsay, entranced and unopposed.

When you walk into such a space there is an unavoidable weight of something in the air. Secular or devout, the feeling slows you down, almost as if the weight of history is coming down. When we played back the ambiance of Lindsay's footsteps into this space, there was an audible synchronicity between the speed at which she performed the song and the speed of her footsteps; a ephemeral metronome. Initially we intended to solely use Lindsay's voice, but upon hearing the "beat and pulse" it became impossible not to layer her footsteps beneath her words.

On a conceptually level the footsteps even take on a metaphorical permanence, a way of perceiving life as a long walk down a long corridor, a journey ending in release and catharsis. On this journey art is the medium housed by man's great structures, evident in the sculptures and stars painted on the cathedral ceilings. Although Lindsay admitted to not being a particularly religious individual, the space was as unbiased to her as she was to it, its own sacred pre-amp plugged into her soul.

We hope you enjoy the video!

Words by: Craig Allen Conoley

If your interested in more about Lindsay, we reviewed her latest Album "Monkey's Under Stars" in our Review section of the site + you can check out her personal website @ http://www.lindsayferguson.com/

Partus Films has collaborated with Ottawa Magazine and Fateema Sayani to bring their popular Sound Seekers column alive in video. Check out the first installment featuring Joe Juarez aka: DJ VELVET.

Excerpt from Sound Seekers corresponding article…
by Fateema Sayani

The name Joe Juarez — aka Joe Velvet — is mapped to an era.

The centre-hub of Ottawa clubland in the mid-‘90s was Atomic (where Ritual stands now), and Juarez, along with DJs Martin Villeneuve and Max Graham, crafted the soundtrack to late nights for hundreds of regulars. House music was hot and Juarez brought those big-city sounds to the capital. He became known for getting people onto the dance floor for hours and for having the velvet touch, hence the nickname. Their regular night, called Escape, lasted for three years.

During that time, Juarez, like most musicians, had his hands in multiple professions. He was on the garde-manger line at the old Mill, being mentored by senior chefs. “I learned to cook the French way,” Juarez says.

Read more: http://www.ottawamagazine.com/culture/sound-seekers/

Partus Films was @ Eelectric Fields 2011 to provide a visual treatment of The Electric Pow Wow hosted by A Tribe Called Red. The event took place in the Grand Hall of the Musuem of Civilization where industry leaders, artists, business professionals and the public came to together in song and dance to celebrate the finale of the festival and the fusion of culture!

You can find out more about the league @ http://poets.ca/wordpress/ This promo features a slew of local poets including: Hyf The Gypsy Sun, Brad Mordan, Ian Keteku, Sarah Muse and the list goes on…

A very big thank you to all those who voted. We’re very proud of the momentum we have garnered from this very meaningful project and your support has everything to do with it! Let’s keep the momentum going…Expect some very exciting projects from some very talented poets in the near future! – Partus Films

Ottawa’s Art Scene Continues to Grow…Check out all the Winners and Honorable Mentions…

OTTAWA’S BEST ARTS & CULTURE – Nov, 10th . 2011 / Xpress

Best Film by a Local Filmmaker in 2011
Winner: A Violent State by Adrian Langley
Honourable mentions: Poetry in Motion by Craig Allen Conoley, Balance by Derek Price

Rita Carter Radio Interview

►

Rita had chance to sit down and discuss the process of making “Genocide”. We’ve added a little slideshow of production stills for your viewing and listening pleasure. Enjoy!

A very big thank you to the Partus Team and everyone who worked so diligently to make this experience come alive. Partus Films wants to wish Rita a Happy Birthday by delivering this powerful message to those effected by genocide the world over. Please help us spread the awareness to the PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE everywhere!

"GENOCIDE"
A PARTUS FILM

PRODUCED BY
Partus Films & Rhythm N' Kal Ent.

PRESIDENT & CEO OF RHYTHM N' KAL ENT.
Kalid Nour

ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Dan Wallace

DIRECTOR . EDITOR . DOP
Craig Allen Conoley

ASSISTANT EDITOR
Emmy Hillman

1ST CAMERA OPERATOR
Craig Allen Conoley

2ND CAMERA OPERATOR
Alex Gheorghe

ADDITIONAL CAMERA WORK
Dan Wallace

SOUND RECORDIST
Adam Bentley

STORYBOARDS
Craig Allen Conoley & Emmy Hillman

PROPS
Craig Allen Conoley
Emmy Hillman
Cristina Maiorino

STARRING

MISS RITA CARTER
Nambuusi "Rita Carter" Kyeyune

THE AFRICAN CANADIAN CHILDREN'S
CHOIR OF RIVER JORDAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

Hano Nkayamba, Aline M. Niyongabo, Christine A. Bio, Imani Nangoma,Julia Kiirya,Jesse Kiirya,Joseph Jr. Kiirya,Georgia Cadeau,Q' Orianka P. Barkey, Catherine Atim,Keene Yakira

SPECIAL THANKS

R & B

CHOIR DIRECTOR
Lilly Obina

PASTOR OF RIVER JORDAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
Joseph Kiirya

ON SITE RN
Laura Floyd

STUNNIN R'S ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC GROUP
Music Production

SAW VIDEO
Rentals

PERMITS
The Ottawa Gatineau Film
& Television Development Corporation

INSURANCE
The CG&B Group Inc.

FOR MORE ON RITA CARTER

Facebook: Search RITA CARTER and click "Like" to join her Fan Page
YouTube: Subscribe to RITA CARTER @ youtube.com/​ritacarterlove
Myspace: myspace.com/​ritacarterlove
E-mail Contact: rhythmandkal@hotmail.com

FOR MORE ON PARTUS FILMS

Facebook: Search PARTUS FILMS and click "Like" to join company Fan Page
Website: partusfilms.com
For inquiries, quotes etc Email: partusfilms@gmail.com

FROM RITA

To all family, friends, and volunteers who helped make this dream a reality, THANK YOU... And to all the freedom fighters who have died for humanity and those still fighting, you are always in our hearts. Much love. Struggle Beats Struggle.