“If you like bleak ensemble dramas, try Blackstone, a Canadian import set on a fictional First Nation reserve. It starts out a little jumpy and underwritten, but it kicks into gear after about five episodes. Intense, thoughtful, and one of the vanishingly few shows about present-day indigenous communities.”
All five seasons of the multi-award winning TV series Blackstone, set on a fictional First Nation reserve, began streaming worldwide on Netflix in 2016. Critically-acclaimed and audience-favourite prison drama Unité 9 has won a number of Canadian and international awards.”
Watch if you like bleak, unglamorous and distinctive ensemble shows.
Blackstone is one of the flagship shows of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, where it made its debut in 2011. It’s set on a (fictional) Blackstone First Nation reserve, within an indigenous community challenged by corruption and desperation.
The depths of that corruption start coming to light when Leona (Carmen Moore) wins the election to become the new chief, though her victory celebration is overshadowed by a teenager’s rape and suicide. In its earliest episodes, the series’ dialogue is heavy-handed and the camera distractingly jumpy. But stick with it: The story is powerful enough to outweigh early shortcomings, and around Episode 5, the show blossoms into itself, and it’s well worth the wait. The first three seasons, with 23 total episodes, are currently on Hulu. (Seasons 4 and 5 have already aired in Canada.)
Prairie Dog Film + Television is pleased to announce that the dramatic TV series Blackstone has been nominated for Best Dramatic Series at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards. This is Blackstone’s third time to be nominated in this category, and its twelfth overall CSA nomination. Past CSA wins include: Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (Michelle Thrush).
“This is the highest honour in Canadian television,” says Showrunner & Director Ron E. Scott. “We are humbled to share this category with the best television dramas produced in Canada and this nomination is shared with APTN and our incredible cast and crew.”
The Canadian Screen Awards recognize excellence in film, television and digital media productions. The Canadian Screen Awards celebrate Canadian productions and talent who excel in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes in Canadian film, television and digital media. The 2016 Canadian Screen Award gala will be broadcast live on CBC on Sunday March 13, 2016 and will be hosted by comedian Norm MacDonald.
Blackstone Season 4 is a one hour drama that explores the raw and authentic dynamics of family, power and politics on a First Nation reserve. Blackstone is both a portrayal of a community plagued by corruption, violence and injustice that, although dark, is an inspiring story of the undying hope and resilience of a people fighting for a better life in the midst of adversity.
The award-winning, powerhouse cast includes: Carmen Moore, Eric Schweig, Michelle Thrush, Nathaniel Arcand, Steven Cree Molison, Tantoo Cardinal, Andrea Menard, Justin Rain, Cheri Maracle, Jessica Matten, Bernard Starlight and Ray G. Thunderchild with appearances by Jennifer Podemski, Garry Chalk, Glen Gould and John Cassini.
Blackstone is produced by Prairie Dog Film + Television, with Ron E. Scott as Executive Producer, Writer & Director, Jesse Szymanski as Co-Executive Producer, and Damon Vignale as Writer/Producer. The series currently broadcasts in Canada on APTN, in the United States on Hulu and HuluPlus, in New Zealand on Maori Television, and in Australia on SBS/NITV. Blackstone has been nominated for 86 awards, including Best Dramatic Series, and Best Dramatic Writing at the CSA’s.
Blackstone is produced in association with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), the Canada Media Fund, with the assistance of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund, with the participation of Rogers Cable Network Fund, and with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
Prairie Dog Film + Television is an award winning dramatic production company dedicated to scripted television series production. Founded by Showrunner Ron E. Scott in 1993, the company has developed a reputable pedigree for high quality, relevant projects that depict unique stories with universal themes.
The company has garnered international media attention and been recognized with over 100 award nominations and wins from such prestigious organizations as the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, as well as a win for Best Dramatic Television Series for the revolutionary series Blackstone at the 2012 LEO Awards.
With over 190 episodes of television produced, Prairie Dog’s programs have aired on major networks across North America (APTN, ABC, CBC, CBC Bold, City TV, CTV, Global, Halogen, ION, Hulu, & Showcase) as well as international markets including the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe and South Africa.
September 1, 2014, marked the 15-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 11 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high definition channel, APTN HD, in the spring of 2008. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862 (Canada), or visit the website.
Ashley Barlow
Prairie Dog Film + Television
Co-Producer
780.435.7735
ashley@prairiedog.ca
Toronto. Oct. 28, 2015 – Prairie Dog Film + Television and Thru the RedDoor are thrilled to announce the release of a compilation album showcasing musicians featured in the fifth and final season of the award-winning drama Blackstone.
“Blackstone has always been known for its creative and innovative storytelling and the music featured in the show plays a huge role in elevating the drama and emotional impact of the stories we tell”, said Executive Producer, Writer and Director Ron E. Scott. “Collaborating on this soundtrack is an opportunity for Blackstone to explore a new medium and showcase these musicians for the talented storytellers that they are”.
The album, BLACKSTONE: Original Television Soundtrack, will be released online everywhere digital music is sold (iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Spotify, etc.), and the November 3, 2015 release date will coincide with the television premiere of Blackstone Season 5 on APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network).
“Collaborating on this soundtrack is an opportunity for Blackstone to explore a new medium and showcase these musicians for the talented storytellers that they are.”
Showcasing a wide variety of artists and genres, the Blackstone soundtrack features rap and hiphop groups, indie folk musicians, roots-inflected rock bands, R&B singers, and more. Juno Award winning artists George Leach and Derek Miller are featured, as well as performances by Inez Jasper (MTVs Rebel Music), Jonny Hetherington (Art of Dying), the indie folk project Hunting, and urban artists Feenix and Rellik. Rap groups, The Northstars. and Hellnback are also highlighted on the album, as well as arrangements from Blackstone’s series composer, Mike Shields.
Blackstone is produced by Prairie Dog Film +Television, with Ron E. Scott as Executive Producer, Writer & Director, Jesse Szymanski as Co-Executive Producer, and Damon Vignale as Writer/Producer. The series currently broadcasts in Canada on APTN, in the United States on Hulu and HuluPlus, in New Zealand on Maori Television, and in Australia on SBS/NITV. Blackstone has been nominated for 86 awards, including Best Dramatic Series, and Best Dramatic Writing at the Canadian Screen Awards.
Blackstone is produced in association with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), the Canada Media Fund, with the assistance of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund, with the participation of Rogers Cable Network Fund, and with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
Find Blackstone on:
Offical Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube
Prairie Dog Film + Television is an award winning dramatic production company dedicated to scripted television series production. Founded by Showrunner Ron E. Scott in 1993, the company has developed a reputable pedigree for high quality, relevant projects that depict unique stories with universal themes.
The company has garnered international media attention and been recognized with over 100 award nominations and wins from such prestigious organizations as the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, including a nomination for Best Dramatic Television Series for the revolutionary series Blackstone.
Over 190 episodes of television produced, Prairie Dog’s programs have aired on major networks across North America (APTN, ABC, CBC, CBC Bold, City TV, CTV, Global, Halogen, ION, Hulu, & Showcase) as well as international markets including the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe and South Africa.
Located on Six Nations of the Grand River, Thru the RedDoor is the studio that brought you 6 Arrows Media, 6AM Sessions and Dig the Artist. We are a record label, sound stage, recording studio and ISP working toward Indigenous Media Sovereignty.
For more information about the series contact:
Ashley Barlow
Prairie Dog Film + Television
780.435.7735
ashley@prairiedog.ca
For more information about the soundtrack contact:
Gary Joseph
SixTel Communications
519.445.3000
gary.joseph@sixtel.ca
It is not just good Canadian television — it is excellent TV period.
Poverty. Crime. Substance abuse. Rape. Corruption. Death. It’s not the inner city, but the despair and desperation is the same. It’s not The Wire, but it can stand right up to it.
This is Blackstone.
In the world of cable cutting and web-based content, it is easy to completely miss excellent programs. Luckily, it can be even easier to binge watch the whole thing, which is fantastic. When you happen upon a well crafted program, you don’t want to wonder what you missed before, or have to re-arrange your life to catch have to re-arrange your life to catch the next episode, like in the bad-old-days.
Blackstone is one of those series you may have missed or dismissed. It faces challenges getting audience attention: Canadian, airs on APTN, and set on a First Nations reserve. Let’s be honest, even after some great successes and excellent contributions, the words ‘Canadian Television’ still fill our heads with The Littlest Hobo and The Beachcombers. Most cable subscribers probably don’t even know they have APTN. And when you put those two together — Canadian program and Aboriginal television —most people are going to think of some badly executed, community television-type series.
But this is different. This is Blackstone.
There have been a number of popular First Nation’s-based series over the years, North of 60 and The Rez to name a couple.
But there was always an awkwardness about the portrayal of First Nations people: you never got the sense that what you were watching a depiction of reality. It was more a sanitized, TV self-censored distortion; something cleaned up so as not to offend. And even the previous highly commended programs often fell victim to stereotyping Aboriginal people or plots, which fed the very perceptions they were working against. Blackstone does none of that. Blackstone turns its camera on a community and shows it, warts and all. There are no “noble but tragic Indians” here — just the tragedy. And while North of 60 and The Rez helped wear away at the wall between Native and non-Native communities, chipping away with hammers and chisels, Blackstone takes on that wall with TNT.
Blackstone could be any rural town in Canada, laden down with high-employment and its associated poverty problems. If you grew up, or even just spent time, in outport Newfoundland, a mining town after the company left, or any other similar location, Blackstone is going to have a familiar feel. As will the characters, from the down-and-outs to the where’re-they-getting-all-that-money? Nearly every aspect of Blackstone is familiar like that. Because Blackstone is not about Aboriginal people. It’s about people. Human beings in desperate, often tragic, but real, life.
Blackstone could be any rural town in Canada, laden down with high-employment and its associated poverty problems.
Which is not to say the show is depressing. Similar to The Wire and other programs, it achieves intense drama through staying real. The steadicam work gives you the interlopers perspective, which aides that. Some of the issues are ripped from the headlines: gas sniffing, residential schools, political corruption… though that last one is hardly restricted to First Nations communities. That brings me back to that eradicated cultural barrier: corruption, booze, drugs, youth with nothing to do, people feeling trapped in their community, petty bickering… those are issues human beings face, not Aboriginal issues. With very scant changes, Blackstone could be a Welsh mining town, a Serb village, someplace in Africa, an island off Argentina… well, you get the point. It’s the universality of these stories that makes Blackstone so viewable. You don’t need to know First Nations people any more than you do Baltimore projects or Halifax Trailer Parks or the homeless in Seattle.
Blackstone is unabashedly First Nations, don’t misunderstand me. And you will learn about the issues, same as with those other shows, because Blackstone doesn’t shy away from them either. It tears off the bandages, picks off the scab, and shows you the wound. You see the despair behind the substance abuse, and the results of it. You learn enough about residential schools to see how their impact is still being felt, how the program destroyed lives and communities. You get some history of land claims and how the government treats First Nations. There’s water problems, housing issues, government audits, conniving oil companies. You’ll learn some Cree, even. Blackstone doesn’t lecture though. It neither excuses nor condemns, it simply presents. It gives you just enough of a look at the reality of reserve-life to send you googling for more details.
Blackstone is unabashedly First Nations, don’t misunderstand me. And you will learn about the issues, same as with those other shows, because Blackstone doesn’t shy away from them either.
It’s difficult to sum up the series in a few words. Blackstone is a character-driven drama about the people who are members of the fictional Blackstone First Nation. It is set on a reserve in rural Alberta, about an hour or so drive from “the city” (presumably Edmonton, where the show is filmed). There’s conflict between two families, the Frasers and the Stoneys. There’s all the societal problems that go with poverty and with being First Nations. There’s a fantastic plot device, which I won’t reveal, but is excellent at pushing the storyline. There’s coming of age, coming home, coming to grips, and coming apart. It’s about death and life and survival. There’s all that, great writing, and some insights for the rest of us into what it means to be Aboriginal Canadian.
Above all, Blackstone is simply fantastic television: top notch ensemble acting, excellent direction, and riveting storylines. It’s gritty and gripping. Blackstone deserves a place alongside all those specialty channel dramas: The Sopranos, Deadwood, The Wire, and The Killing. It is not just good Canadian television — it is excellent TV period.
Unfortunately, it was announced on Monday that this will be the fifth and final season for Blackstone although the door is still open for perhaps a movie, or maybe something else. The new season starts on November 3, which means you have plenty of time to watch the first four seasons. And the great news? You can see them all free online at APTN here.