Filmmaker Nicole Brooks turns her lens on political pioneer Lincoln Alexander, the first black member of Canadian parliament, in her new documentary feature, A Linc in Time. The film, currently in production, will premiere on OMNI television in 2008.

“Working on this film has been a true privilege and an honour,” said Brooks, who is making her feature-length directing debut with A Linc in Time. “This is such an important story in Canadian history, an important story for all Canadians. We are so lucky that we are able to hear this story straight from Mr. Alexander himself, not to mention all the other influential people who have agreed to speak to us about this extraordinary man.”

Those influential people include former Ontario premier David Peterson; Alastair Summerlee, president of the University of Guelph, where Alexander served as the university’s chancellor; Pat Case, the Director of Human Rights and Equity Office at the University of Guelph; and Mary Anne Chambers, Ontario’s Minister of Children and Youth.

Inspired by his nickname, “Linc”, the film will ‘linc’ Alexander’s key life moments in order to paint a complete portrait of the man. A Linc in Time will show how Alexander’s defining early years led him to his groundbreaking career in Canadian politics and beyond. His path eventually led him to the post of Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, a position which Alexander was the first visible minority to hold. Following that, Alexander spent 15 years as Chancellor of the University of Guelph.

Alexander has led an exemplary life that has broken many barriers for minorities and helped alter the face and profile of Canadian politics. The film will in turn rally viewers to not only learn of his life, but to also call to attention his dynamic role in Canada’s multiculturalism, demonstrating his enduring importance to our nation, and to African-Canadian history.

Personal memoirs recounted by the man himself will be interwoven with interviews from family members, friends and colleagues. In addition, archival footage, photographs and small dramatic vignettes will demonstrate and chronicle the remarkable series of historical events in the civil rights movement that parallel with the events that led to Alexander becoming one of the most groundbreaking and influential leaders in Canadian history.

Multi-faceted director and producer Nicole Brooks has always embraced the opportunity to depict original and creative works featuring all forms of diversity. As a director, her short film Spun Out premiered at The Female Eye, Toronto’s first film festival for women directors and her experimental drama The Sweetest Sounds made its debut at the Montreal World Film Festival. She also won the Best Music Video award from the Black Film and Video Network for Comin’ In, by spoken word artist True. Brooks also has extensive experience as a producer, producing ECHO (SunTV), segment producing for Living in Toronto (CBC), and served as story editor for the hit series Lord Have Mercy (Vision TV). She is currently working on her third season as Co – Producer of Vision’s Divine Restoration.

Also working on A Linc in Time are: celebrated photographer Michael Chambers; accredited composer and CBC personality Andrew Craig; technical advisor Claire Prieto, executive producer of ECHO ( SunTV) and a pioneer of African-Canadian film and television; and consultant Herb Shoveller, who wrote Alexander’s biography, Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy: The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander: A Memoir.

“One of the best things about working on A Linc in Time is that everyone involved is so passionate about the project,” said Brooks. “People are involved because they believe this story needs to be told, and their passion will translate into a better film. This film is an opportunity for all of us to give back to a man who has given so much to us.”

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Available for interviews,
Nicole Brooks
Lincoln M. Alexander
Herb Shoveller