Ian MacKenzie speaks with "Survivors Rowe" director Daniel Roher in this interview for CP24.com.

Why did you make this film?

Ralph Rowe is the most prolific sex offender in Canadian history. I realized that a lingering injustice and a lingering tragedy was the fact that nobody knew who Ralph Rowe was. Nobody knew what he did or the crimes that he committed or the scope and seriousness of those crimes.

How was it financed?

The film was financed privately, just a couple of citizens who were passionate about the subject and wanted the story to be told. It had a very modest budget which is conducive with the way I work. Documentary is a medium where money is not always as readily available, and in order to cope with that I wear all the hats. So I just do everything. I take a very modest sum of money and I stretch it out as far as I can.

Is there an interest in this film?

Now that the film is made there is interest, people want to show it. Several networks are quite interested and keen on helping us get as many people to see it as possible.

Was it easy to find victims of Rowe who would talk?

This is probably the most taboo type of thing that anyone can talk about, and I think it’s multiplied when the victims are men and multiplied when it’s indigenous men. It was difficult to find anyone who was willing to talk. But I found a couple of guys and it was just about building those relationships and building trust, spending time with them. They were quite willing and open minded enough to give me a shot.

Why should people see this film?

It’s a film that people have to watch because this is such a critical, important story. I think as a country we have to have a conversation of why these indigenous kids didn’t get justice. This is a universal story about human beings who happen to be first nations and aboriginals. But ultimately these are about human beings whose lives were derailed by sexual abuse and how they were victimized and how they grow up and reclaim their lives. If this film can ask the question “What can we do to address the stigma associated with being a survivor of sexual abuse and sexual violence?’ then that’s a real honor.

Screening:

Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 PM at Royal Cinema