Derek May
Derek May (1932–1992) was a Canadian filmmaker known for his work in animation, fiction, and documentary, primarily with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). Originally trained as a painter, May turned to filmmaking, bringing a visual artist’s sensibility to his films. He began at the NFB with several experimental short films—Angel (1966), McBus (1969), and Pandora (1971)—before focusing on documentaries centered on the art scene: Sananguagat: Inuit Masterworks (1974), Off the Wall (1981), and Krzysztof Wodiczko: Projections (1991). Throughout his career, his documentaries often explored the role of the artist in society, examining creativity, culture, and the connections between art and the community.
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A Film for Max
Duration: 2h28
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In this film, filmmaker Derek May turns his camera on his own domestic life, attempting to show it "as it is," without the conventional structure imposed by filmmaking. He seeks to reflect the essential aloneness of human existence—a life suspended, a being unmotivated. Adult life is depicted in black and white, while the life of his infant son, Max, is shown in color. This contrast evokes the ...
A Film for Max
Duration: 2h28
Subscription access
In this film, filmmaker Derek May turns his camera on his own domestic life, attempting to show it "as it is," without the conventional structure imposed by filmmaking. He seeks to reflect the essential aloneness of human existence—a life suspended, a being unmotivated. Adult life is depicted in black and white, while the life of his infant son, Max, is shown in color. This contrast evokes the ...
