Tale of a Whale

The film reveals how a team of community volunteers in Sooke, BC, led by Phoebe Dunbar, rallied to salvage and flense a gray whale that had died and washed up in a local cove. The remains of the whale were then wrapped in a net, towed to a reef, and sunk for crustaceans to clean off the rest of the flesh. After a year, the bones were raised and stored on the deck of a boat in a local boatyard where they were bleached. A marine paleontologist then arranged the bones in their correct order and the articulated skeleton of the gray was hung from the rafters of Sooke’s newly built community school. Chief Gordon Planes of the T’Sou-ke Nation speaks about the importance of respecting whales and being good stewards of our environment.

Director Statement

My engagement and role in the making of this film included the coordination of those who were invited to participate in the storytelling, securing film locations, and sourcing all the visuals filmed and photographed back in the late 1980s – the flensing and sinking of the whale. Supporting other film production assistants during the long time restricted COVID times while producing the film. (late 2019 through to summer 2022). Also, I pitched in to connect with potential citizen and resident funders/sponsors for the whale film.

About the Director

Phoebe Dubar grew up and was educated in Vancouver. Attended UBC (BA and MSW ) and enrolled in other non-credit courses – the arts and filmmaking at Simon Fraser University Film School – story lines, camera, editing, and film locations. Late 1960’s - Worked for Vancouver Playhouse Theatre – production assistant. Set design. Studied photography - including classes with Fred Herzog – still photography. Vancouver waterfront and streetscapes. late 1960’s. Resident, south Vancouver Island since 1979 – rich, diversified experiences working with rural community service and helping agencies and local government groups - community development, community education, program and policy development for human services and the arts. For close to 50 years have volunteered extensively supporting the arts, local cultural groups, natural history, theatre, and community presentations.