Guy Maddin reflects on his unconventional filmmaking process in 'My Winnipeg'

Filmmaker Guy Maddin shared insights about his unique creative process behind 'My Winnipeg' during an interview on It Happened in Hollywood. The film, which he describes as a "docufantasia," blends real history with fictional elements, showcasing the complexities of his hometown, Winnipeg. The screening event takes place from July 11-13 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, featuring Maddin in attendance.

Exploring Winnipeg's Mythology

Maddin's journey to create 'My Winnipeg' began with a commission from the now-defunct Canadian Documentary Channel. He was given the choice to make a documentary about either trains or Winnipeg and instantly chose the latter. "Ever since childhood, I felt that Winnipeg just needed to be mythologized in film emulsion," Maddin explained.

Interestingly, Maddin did not write a formal script for the film. Instead, he improvised his voiceover, stating, "I just went in for five minutes a day and just improvised, promising myself I would never stop talking." This spontaneous approach led to the film opening with him repeating the word "Winnipeg" three times.

Fact and Fiction Intertwined

The film is noted for its bizarre claims, some of which are rooted in reality. For instance, Maddin confirmed a true story about horses that drowned while crossing a freezing river during a paddock fire in the 1920s, leaving their heads visible in the ice. "It’s real," he asserted, detailing how their frozen heads remained exposed throughout the winter.

However, other elements of the film are intentionally fictional. According to Maddin, some details were crafted for emotional resonance rather than factual accuracy. For example, he mentioned a supposed sleepwalking epidemic and a bizarre law requiring residents to carry keys to their childhood homes, stating, "Some of this stuff is intentionally untrue because I wanted it to be emotionally true."

Memorable Encounters and Experiences

Maddin's creative process also involved unique experiences, such as hiring actress Ann Savage to portray his mother in staged family scenes. He initially let audiences believe she was his real mother. Moreover, he recounted a humorous incident during a 2007 Q&A in Reykjavik, where he committed to lying on every even-numbered answer until Björk asked about the drowned-horses story. "It was her turn to get a lie," Maddin recalled.

The upcoming screening event will feature a new 4K restoration of several of Maddin's works, including Careful, The Green Fog, and The Saddest Music in the World. Maddin's presence at each screening promises engaging discussions surrounding his films and creative philosophy.