TORONTO — The Canadian film community is mourning the loss of one of its most renowned documentary directors, Peter Wintonick.
The Montreal-based filmmaker died Monday morning in hospital from cancer. He was 60.
“Gutted to hear about the loss of Peter Wintonick,” tweeted Morgan Spurlock, director of Super Size Me. “Doc world loss (sic) an amazing friend and champion today.”
According to a statement from his family, Wintonick “died peacefully, cracking jokes and spreading joy right to the end.”
Wintonick was best known for his award-winning feature doc Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media — one of the most successful Canadian documentaries ever.
His works included the 1999 feature Cinéma Vérité: Defining the Moment, which won a Special Jury Award at the Banff World Media Festival.
Tom Perlmutter, chair of the National Film Board, said in a statement Wintonick was “one of the greats of the documentary world.”
He added: “Everyone knew him for his passion, his commitment, his generosity. He created a significant body of work; but his contribution was far greater than the sum of his films.”
Perlmutter credited Wintonick for influencing his perception of documentary work.
“I, alongside everyone he has touched, will miss this man.”
Brett Hendrie, executive director of Toronto’s Hot Docs festival, said Wintonick “poured his heart into supporting filmmakers and building camaraderie through the international doc community.
“We know his great work and the many friendships and partnerships he helped to foster will endure.”
Hot Docs president Chris McDonald added: “Peter’s kind heart and enormous talent were the stuff of legend. He was a great friend and irrepressible mentor. We miss him already.”
Born in Trenton, Ont., Wintonick was a partner in Montreal’s Necessary Illusions Productions.
He was honoured with the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2006.
Wintonick had recently been diagnosed with Cholangio Carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer. He was admitted to palliative care on Friday.
Carolle Brabant of Telefilm Canada said in a statement: “His films had a major impact in Canada and were seen in hundreds of other countries, winning numerous awards. His long career allowed us to appreciate the scope of his talent, and his work is now a valued part of our cultural heritage.”
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