That Never Happened: Canada's First National Internment Operations from 2017 is a powerful exploration of a dark moment in Canadian history. The documentary delves into Canada's first national internment operations during the First World War, which saw over 8,500 people unjustly imprisoned, forced to do hard labour, and stripped of their basic human rights.
Narrated by renowned journalist and former CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge, the film utilizes interviews with survivors and their families, archival footage, and reenactments to bring this little-known chapter of Canadian history to light. The documentary sheds light on the impact of these internment operations on individuals and communities, detailing how families were torn apart, businesses were destroyed, and lives were forever changed.
One of the key strengths of the film is its focus on personal stories. We hear from descendants of internees who recount their family's experiences and the lasting impact of this traumatic event. Through these accounts, we see the human toll of these internment operations and how they reverberate down through the generations.
The film also examines the systemic racism that allowed these internment operations to happen in the first place. It provides context for the anti-immigrant sentiment that fueled these actions and the complicity of the Canadian government and military in carrying them out. This aspect of the film is particularly enlightening, as it highlights the broader social and political forces that underpinned this historical event and its lasting legacy.
That Never Happened: Canada's First National Internment Operations is a beautifully crafted documentary that sheds light on an important and often overlooked chapter in Canadian history. It is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of racism, discrimination, and bigotry and a testament to the resilience of those who survived this traumatic event. The film is essential viewing for anyone interested in Canadian history and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation.
That Never Happened: Canada's First National Internment Operations is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.
