Through the Red Gate was produced and directed by Moyra Rodger, in association with the Knowledge Network and Out to See Entertainment, 2008. The film is narrated by J.J. McColl, and written by Dale Drewery. This 45 minute video uncovers the dramatic and tragic historical events of the years following Lenin’s death in Russia, and Stalin’s rule which caused trauma in the lives of millions- many of whom were Mennonites. Through the Red Gate uses old photographs provided by the Archives of Bethel College, Mennonite Church USA and Eleonore Toews. Additionally, film footage, re-enacted scenes, narration and interviews are all combined to tell the story in a clear and elaborate way. Interviewees include Peter Bargen, Maria Bargen, and Lena Dirksen who explain their first hand experiences in heavily troubled times.

The film covers a timeline from the 1780’s when the Mennonites lived happily in their Russian colonies, followed by the contrasting realities of Stalin’s rule, and the eventual settlements in Canada, for some. Explanations of succeeding years include 1989 when letters (discussed in the film) were discovered in Manitoba by Peter Bargen and his relatives. Lena Dirksen recalls her memories of her father being arrested for resisting authorities in Russia. She also explains a miraculous and rare instance of being kept safe in a shelter with the help of a street worker. Lena continues to discuss her memories of the suffering that her family endured, including the cruel torment and jail sentence her mother was forced to experience.

Peter Bargen describes the fleeing of his family including the story of how his father forged documents which contributed to the possibility of their escape. Maria Bargen speaks of her experiences as well; with details of the extreme difficulties her family faced as her father was taken away. The red gate’s significance in these stories is addressed, and the film concludes with information given on each interviewee with details on where they ended up. Dedication of this film is in memory of those who were grievously left behind. The film has a dark and heavy tone, yet is free of any graphic visuals that are unsuitable for children.

-Teanna Rozek
2018-08-21

Bibliography

“Through the Red Gate”. Moyra Rodger. The Knowledge Network. Out to See Entertainment. 2008.

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“Anna Goossen Kornelsen– was born in 1902 in Margenau, Molotschna, Ukraine. She had a happy childhood, but by her late teens the prosperous life many Mennonites in Ukraine had known was destroyed by civil war, anarchy, famine and Communism. Despite extreme poverty and food shortages, Anna and Kornelius Kornelsen were married in Marienthal on March 27, 1921. Of their eight children, three died in infancy. The remaining five survived poverty, hunger and years of godless Communism. Anna and Kornelius’ youngest daughter was Selma.”

“Selma Kornelsen Hooge– was born in Marienthal, Molotschna where, during the 1930s, her parents and other villagers were part of the collective farm under Communism. Selma has a few memories of a big change that happened in the village in 1941 when Germany invaded Ukraine. Two years later, in September of 1943, thousands of Mennonites from Ukraine began The Great Trek–the perilous journey westward with the retreating German soldiers. Selma’s family was blessed to be intact and in West Germany at the end of WWII– in most Mennonite families the men were missing. In 1948 the Kornelsen family was fortunate to be sponsored to emigrate to Canada, where they could live in peace for the rest of their lives. Selma remembers that her mother praised God for this gift until the day that she died. For Selma, how the Kornelsen family found sponsors who brought them to Canada has always seemed like a miracle. Selma always knew, from her own childhood memories and from the adult conversations she overheard, that there was so much story to tell. Finally, she felt compelled to write down and publish the story. Until 1990 Selma and her husband Helmut lived in Burnaby, where they raised their family. Now Selma and her husband Helmut live on a hobby farm in Greendale. They have two married sons and a married daughter, eight grandchildren (half of them married) and two great-grandsons. Selma is grateful for her health and for the ability to enjoy family gatherings at the farm.”

Price: $18.00

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