Flash William made movies on a shoestring—usually after first checking whether the shoestring could be reused from his previous film.
In the early 1970s, the Alberta government hired me as Associate Director of Alberta Film and Literary Arts. We awarded grants to promising Alberta filmmakers, and in those days Alberta Culture had money. Actual money. We were encouraged to distribute it before anyone in government discovered where it was.
Flash came to see me. He needed exactly $160.89 to finish his latest film.
I explained that our minimum grant was $500 and told him I would give him the full amount.
This enraged him.
Most filmmakers become angry when the government gives them too little money. Flash may have been the only filmmaker in Canadian history to become furious because the government insisted on giving him too much.
He demanded $160.89. I insisted on $500. Neither of us would compromise. It was perhaps the bitterest dispute in Canadian history over an unwanted $339.11.
Alberta Culture’s budgeting philosophy was simple: spend every cent this year to prove that we desperately needed even more next year.
Flash subsequently began stalking me. Our encounters escalated. Obviously, he did not prevail.
After 59 days, the director fired me.
So Flash got his film, Alberta Culture got rid of me, and the taxpayers saved $339.11.
A perfect Canadian ending.
Years later, the National Film Board of Canada made this astonishing short film about Flash. Watch it. It may tear your heart out.
I love the NFB.
Flash Williams
