Otto Klassen fonds
Otto Klassen fonds. -- 1970-1999. -- 25 film reels (ca. 5 hr., 47min.), 29 videocassettes (ca. 21 hr., 35 min.) and 5 cm of textual records.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH / ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
Otto Klassen was born April 7, 1927 in Schoeneberg, Ukraine to Bernhard Klassen and Katharina Derksen. He came to Germany in 1944 and after the war in 1947 he moved to Paraguay, settling in the Volendam Mennonite settlement. He married Kaethe Bergen in Paraguay in 1949. The family immigrated to Canada in 1955 and settled in Winnipeg where Otto established his own company, O. Klassen Masonry Ltd.
Otto Klassen received his first camera in 1944 and was involved with filmmaking as early as that year as well. It was in Canada after 1955 that Klassen was inspired by Walt Disney, that he decided to pursue his filmmaking interest. He purchased his first professional 16 mm camera in 1967. He received much advise and encouragement from chief film editor of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) at the time.
Otto Klassen has become well known as a professional cameraman and independent film producer. His documentary films and videos are about Mennonite history, life, events and celebrations.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This fonds includes digital masters, optical and negative tracks, broadcast VHS and Beta master videocassettes, release prints in 16 mm film and VHS video format. The moving images contain some colour and some black and white scenes. The Otto Klassen Productions are the result of extensive research in archives, both in Canada and Germany. The films tell the story of the Russian Mennonite people in Prussia, Russia, Canada, Mexico, and Paraguay in a way it has not been told before. Several productions were released in multiple languages -- English, German, Low German and Spanish. At least 11 separate titles or series are represented in this fonds. 1) The Great Trek 1939-1945, 2)Prairie Pioneers: The Mennonites of Manitoba 3) Mennonites Conquer the Vistula Delta 4) Mennonite Monument 5) 75 years Mennonites in Mexico 6) 50 year Freedom Jubilee: Praise God for Canada 7) Women of Courage: Stories of Sadness & Stories of Suvival 8) Gespräch: Delgatenreise 1921 9)Im Dienst Der Liebe (KM 81), 10)Frajoa Enn De Oost-resaew, "Three Short Plays" 11) 125th Anniversary of Mennonites in Manitoba: 1874-1999.
CUSTODIAL HISTORY
The material in this fonds was created by Otto Klassen and most of it was donated to the archives by Klassen. One donation was made by MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) and other materials have come in sporadically.
NOTES
Described by Alf Redekopp December 2002.
Accession numbers: 1995-029, 2000-014, 2000-056, 2001-008, 2001-010, 2002-161.
Language: English, High German, Low German, and Spanish.
Finding aid consists of series descriptions and a file list.
No restrictions on access.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
1. The Great Trek. – 1992-2002. – 4 videocassettes (3 hr., 48 minutes), 22 film reels (3 hr., 47 min.), and 3 cm of textual records.
The Great Trek is a feature length documentary film of the Mennonite experience and exodus from Russia 1939-1945. It is about World War II and the Russian Mennonites who were part of a migration of people, not only of many individuals, but of entire populations. The movement began with the resettling of ethnic Germans after the annexation of the Baltic States in 1940 by the Soviet Union. After the outbreak of hostilities between Germany and the USSR, entire ethnic German colonies were uprooted and moved east. When the Soviet armies forced the German retreat beginning in 1943, all ethnic Germans were evacuated from Ukraine by the retreating German forces. Among them were 35,000 people of Mennonite origin and background.
This films consists of two parts – the first covering 1939-1943 and the second 1943-1945. Each part begins and ends with an introduction and closing comments by Mennonite historian, educator and editor Gerhard Ens. In this documentary, Otto Klassen has assembled a collage of documentary and newsreel footage made by German information services of the time and still photographs from the archives of the Federal Republic of Germany in Coblenz, private archives and from the archives of the Mennonite Heritage Centre in Winnipeg to tell a story. The archival film footage gives the film an immediacy that narration and re-enactment cannot. The realism and horror is almost overpowering at times. Producer and director Otto Klassen has released both English and German versions of The Great Trek.
Also included with the moving images is a script, sequence summary and shot list, Correspondence related to archival footage acquired from German archives and reviews and congratulatory correspondence.
NOTES:
Finding aid consists of a file list and a detailed shot list and sequence summaries available. [Shot
list in German with sequence summaries/titles in English].
Location: Film format: Volume 44-54, Videocassette format: Volume 147-148, 242-245 (Note:
147-148 are duplicates of 242 and 243) Textual records: Volume 5029:1-6.
Restrictions: No access restrictions. Copyright has been transferred to the MHC.
2. Prairie Pioneers: The Mennonites of Manitoba. – [1992?]. – 1 videocassette (43 min.).
This film covers the 100 year anniversary of Mennonites in Manitoba in the context of the Manitoba centennial as well the other centennial celebrations in Winkler, Altona, Steinbach, Emerson and Plum Coulee. Significant scenes include the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to Steinbach in 1970, as well as a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It includes short sequences showing the major Mennonite institutions includes Mennonite Collegiate Institute (Gretna), Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, Mennonite Brethren Bible College and College of Arts, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Concordia Hospital and several of the large Winnipeg Mennonite churches. The film covers events such as community parades, a hymn sing at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg and a thanksgiving celebration at the Winnipeg Arena in 1975. Other significant persons seen on this film include Manitoba premier Edward Schreyer, City of Winnipeg mayor Steve Juba, and alderman John Klassen of was in charge of the City of Winnipeg centennial celebrations. The film is narrated by Dr. Al Reimer.
NOTES:
No finding aid.
Location: Video cassette: volume 260.
Restrictions: None to access. Copyrights have been transferred to MHC.
3. Mennonites Conquer the Vistula Delta. – 1994. – 3 videocassettes (46 min.)
This film presents the history of the persecuted Dutch Mennonites who found refuge in the Vistual Delta region of Poland and tells the story of their draining the marshes and developing a fertile agricultural region in the area. The film is narrated by Gerhard Ens.
NOTES:
Language: English, High German and Low German ; 15 min. 30 sec. per cassette. The German version is entitled Mennoniten Bezwingen das Weichseldelta.
Location: Video cassette: volume 257-259.
Restrictions: None to access. Copyrights have been transferred to MHC.
No finding aid.
4. Mennonite Monument Video. – 1995. – 1 video cassette (50 min.). -- VHS.
This item consists of the worship service held on July 28, 1985 at the Mennonite Village Museum in Steinbach, Manitoba at the unveiling and dedication of the Mennonite Monument to the victims of war and terror in the 20th century. The service consisted of English and German language speeches and music. Participants in the event included Mennonite leaders, historians, politicians, ministers and others. Speakers include: Gerhard Ens, MP Jake Epp, Minister of Health and Welfare, MLA Victor Schroeder, Minister of Finance, Eugene Derksen, Gerhard I. Peters, Wilhelm Pauls, Hans Epp, Gerhard Lohrenz, George K. Epp, Heinrich Wiebe and Herman Lenzman.
NOTES:
Location: Video cassettes: volume 263
Restrictions: None to access. Copyrights have been transferred to MHC.
No finding aid.
5. 75 Years Mennonites in Mexico. – 1997-1998. – 10 videocassettes and 2 cm of textual records.
This series of 3 videos and a German script present the 75 year history of the Canadian Mennonites who moved to Mexico beginning in 1922. The titles include Old Colony Mennonites Emigrate from Canada to Mexico (Part 1), Pioneers in Mexico: Canadian Mennonites Colonize in Mexico(Part 2), 75th Anniversary Celebration of Mennonites in Mexico 1922-1997(Part 3)
The Mennonites were promised control of their schools, language and way of life – freedoms which were being lost in Canada. Approximately 7000 of these Canadian Mennonites from the Old Colony and Sommerfeld groups from Manitoba and Saskatchewan migrated to Mexico between 1922 and 1926. Part one documents the historical background of these people and the actual migration. Part two document the development of these Canadians in Mexico as they continue to colonize. Part three is a report of the 75 year celebrations held in 1998. These productions were shown in many communities in Manitoba to raise money for the establishment of a museum/archives in Mexico in the Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico.
NOTES:
Location: Video cassettes: volume 198-203, 246-255, Textual records volume 5029:7.
Restrictions: None to access. Copyright belongs to MMHS (Manitoba Mennonite Historical
Society) and MCCM (Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba).
Language: English, High German, Low German, Spanish.
No finding aid.
- 50 Year Freedom Jubilee: Praise God for Canada. – 1998. – 120 minutes. -- 2 video cassettes.
This production was created on the occasion of the 50 year anniversary of the coming to Canada of Mennonite survivors of the horrors and terror of World War II in 1948. The production was intended as a souvenir video of the 50 year celebration of their freedom in Canada. Filmmaker Otto Klassen begins the production with scenes from the 1985 Mennonite Monument dedication to the 20th century victims of war, followed by a recording of the celebration which saw 900 people gather under a tent on August 15, 1998 at the Mennonite Village Museum to remember and give thanks.
Guest speakers included Peter J. Dyck, veteran Mennonite Central Committee worker telling the stories of his involvement in Berlin in 1948 and historian Marlene Epp who spoke of the contributions women made to the survival of roughly 13,000 Mennonites who emigrated to North and South America. Throughout the address by Epp, Klassen creates a collage of scenes of war using archival war footage acquired from the German archives.
The video also captures a second celebration event which took place the following day, August 16, 1998, in the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg which featured the Jubilee Singers led by Dr. John Martens, Dr. Harry Loewen, former Chair of Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg, Dr. Johanness Reimer of Germany as well as Peter J. Dyck and Marlene Epp. Politicians bringing greeting included MLA Jack Penner and MP David Iftody.
Entire list of speakers: Dr. Peter Dyck, Agnes Dyck, Elvira Derksen, Dr. Marlene Epp, Dr. George K. Epp, Hon. Jake Epp, Rev. Gerhard Ens, Rev. Jake Harms, Hon. David Iftody, Rev. Hermann Lenzmann, Dr. Harry Loewen, Peter H. Peters, Hon. Jack Penner, Dr. Johannes Reimer, Viktor Sawatzky, Jacob R. Wiebe.
NOTES:
Location: Video cassette: volume 149, 264.
Restrictions: None to access. Copyright has been transferred to MHC.
No finding aid.
7. Women of Courage: Stories of Sadness & Stories of Survival. – 1999. – 2 video cassettes (48 min.).
This video focuses on an address by Dr. Marlene Epp on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the post World War II Mennonite immigration to Canada at the Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach, Manitoba in the summer of 1998. Based on her research project on fate of women with men largely as a result of the infamous Stalin purges during the years 1937 and 1938 and the conscription into either the German or Soviet Union armies. In the words of one reviewer, Otto Klassen “has skillfully woven into the texture of Ms. Epp’s report, footage from his extensive film library depicting women in the Great Trek managing teams of horses and repairing vehicles while at the same time nursing their children, cooking for their families, bedding down the infirm and, most heart breaking of all, burying the dead along the endless trek.”
NOTES:
Location: Video cassettes volume: 261-262.
Restrictions: None to access. Copyright has been transferred to MHC.
No finding aid.
8. Gespräch: Delegatenreise 1921. – 1998(?). – 1 videocassette (35:15 min.).
This video consists of a play depicting the Canadian Mennonite delegates from Manitoba and Saskatchewan who went to Mexico to investigate the possibility of finding an area where a large number of Mennonites from Canada could settle and retain their way of life which was being challenged and eroded in Canada.
NOTES
Location: Video cassettes volume 256.
Language: High German
No finding aid.
No restrictions on access.
9. Im Dienst Der Liebe (KM 81). – 1990. – 3 films (ca. 2 hrs.) and 2 video cassettes (ca. 1 hr. 20min.).
This film is about the leprosy mission hospital in Paraguay established by the Mennonites in 1951 known as Hospital Mennonita Km 81, located in Asuncion, Paraguay.
NOTES
Location: Film format volume 30-32, video cassettes volume 196-197, 265.
No finding aid.
No restrictions on access.
10. Frajoa Enn De Oost-resaew, “three short plays”. – 1990. – 1 video cassette (60 min.).
This film is of three short plays in the Low German language performed at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba.
Location: Video cassettes volume 154.
Language: Low German.
No finding aid.
No restrictions on access.
11. 125th Anniversary of Mennonites in Manitoba: 1874-1999. – 1999. – 1 video cassette (45 min.).
This film is of the celebration held at the Forks in Winnipeg on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Mennonites in Manitoba. In 1874 Russian Mennonites came down the Red River on river boats and landed at the Forks in Winnipeg to get supplies and then traveled back up the Red River and disembarked near current day Niverville, Manitoba to begin settling.
The celebration included a re-enactment of the river boat coming to the Forks with actors dressed in period costume. This event was planned by a special ad hock committee of the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society (MMHS).
Location: Video cassettes volume 129.
No restrictions on access.
No finding aid.
File List for the Otto Klassen Fonds.
VOLUME30Otto Klassen fonds Film Format
Vol30Film "Im Dienst der Liebe" Km 81 (Paraguay) A+B Neg and Opt. Trk. 16mm. --
[1990?]. Reel 1. -- Note: Donated by MCC. Accession No:01-008
Vol31Film "Im Dienst der Liebe" Km 81 (Paraguay) A+B Neg. and Opt. Trk. 16mm. --
[1990?]. Reel 2. -- Note: Donated by MCC. Accession No:01-008
Vol32Film "Im Dienst der Liebe" km 81. -- [1990?]. -- Note: Donated by MCC. Accession No: 01-008
Vol44The Great Trek 1939-1943/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 3 reels of film A & B negative
and optical track (English version) Show 1 Reel 1. Accession No:02-161
Vol45The Great Trek 1939-1943/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 3 reels of film A & B negative
and optical track (English version) Show 1 Reel 2. Accession No:02-161
Vol46The Great Trek 1943-1945/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 3 reels A&B negative and
optical tracks: Show # 2 Reel # 1 (English). Accession No:02-161
Vol47The Great Trek 1943-1945/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 4 reels A&B negative and
optical tracks: Show # 1 Reel # 2 (English). Accession No:02-161
Vol48The Great Trek (1939-1943)/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 8 reels A&B negative and
optical tracks: Intro to Show # 1 & 2. Accession No:02-161
Vol49The Great Trek (1939-1943)/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 3 reels A&B negative and
optical tracks: End of Part II. Accession No:02-161
Vol50The Great Trek Part I/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 16 mm positive film and magnetic
sound track (to make video master). Accession No:02-161
Vol51The Great Trek Part II/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 16 mm positive film and magnetic
sound track (to make video master).Accession No:02-161
Vol52Der Große Trek (1. Teil)/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 16mm film (release print for
viewing). Accession No:02-161.
Vol53Der Große Trek (2. Teil)/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 16mm film (release print for
viewing). Accession No:02-161
Vol54The Great Trek Part I/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 16 mm film (release print for viewing).
Accession No:02-161
Otto Klassen fonds VideocassetteFormat
Vol129125th Anniversary of Mennonites in Manitoba: 1874-1999. -- August 1, 1999. -- 45
min. -- VHS. Accession No:99-134.
Vol147The Great Trek, 1939-1943 Part I. -- [199-]. -- 37 min. – VHS. Accession No: 00-014. –Note: There is a duplicate copy in volume 242.
Vol148The Great Trek, 1939-1943 Part II. -- [199-]. -- 39 min. -- VHS. Accession No: 00-014. – Note: duplicate in volume 243.
Vol14950 Year Freedom Jubilee, Praise God for Canada. -- 1998. -- 60 min. -- VHS.Accession No: 00-014.
Vol154Frajoa Enn De Oost-resaew, "Three Short Plays"/Otto Klassen Productions. -- 1999. -
60 min. -- VHS. Accession No:00-056.
Vol196"Im Dienst Der Liebe" (KM 81), Master. -- 1990. -- time 40:00. -- Beta. -- Note:
Donated by MCC. Accession No: 01-008.
Vol197"Im Dienst Der Liebe" (KM 81), Edited Master. -- 1990. -- time 40:00. -- Beta. --
Note: Donated by MCC. Accession No: 01-008.
Vol198Altkolonier Mennoniten, Wandern von Kanada nach Mexiko, 1 of 3. -- 1997. -- VHS.
29 minutes. -- Note: In Low German. Accession No: 01-010.
Vol199Pioniere in Mexiko, Kanadische Mennoniten kolonisieren in Mexiko, 2 of 3. -- 1997.
VHS. -- 54 minutes. -- Note: In Low German. Accession No: 01-010.
Vol20075 Jährige Jubiläumsfeier der Mennoniten in Mexiko 1922-1997, 3 of 3. -- 1998. --
VHS. -- 59 minutes. -- Note in Low German. Accession No:01-010.
Vol201Old Colony Mennonites emigrate from Canada to Mexico, 1 of 3. -- 1997. -- VHS. --
29 minutes. Accession No: 01-010.
Vol202Pioneers in Mexico, Canadian Mennonites Colonize in Mexico, 2 of 3. -- 1997. --
VHS. -- 57 minutes.Accession No:01-010.
Vol20375th Anniversary Celebration of the Mennonites in Mexico 1922-1997, 3 of 3. --
1998. -- VHS. -- 36 minutes. -- 1 copy. Accession No:01-010.
Vol242The Great Trek 1939-1943 Part 1/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 37 minutes. -- English. --
VHS. Accession No: 02-161. – Note: there is a duplicate in volume 147.
Vol243The Great Trek 1939-1943 Part 2/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. -- 39 minutes. -- English. --
VHS. Accession No:02-161. – Note: there is a duplicate in volume 148.
Vol244The Great Trek 1939-1943 Part 1+2 timecode for shot list/ Otto Klassen. -- 1992. --
VHS. Accession No:02-161.
Vol245The Great Trek/ Otto Klassen. -- 1996. -- 76 minuets. -- Betacam SP master, Print
and Mag X-Fer,. Used to make video English Version. Accession No: 02-161.
Vol246Old Colony Mennonites Emigrate from Canada to Mexico (Part 1)/ Otto Klassen. --
1997. -- 29 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-30Ma. -- English. Accession No: 02-161.
Vol 247Altkolonier Mennoniten Wandern von Kanada nach Mexico (Part 1)/ Otto Klassen. --
1997. -- 29 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-30Ma. -- High German. Accession No: 02-161.
Vol 248Ooltkoloniea Mennoniten Waundren von Kanada no Mexiko (Part 1)/ Otto Klassen. --
1997. -- 30 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-30Ma. -- Low German. Accession No: 02-161.
Vol249Los Menonitas Emigran de Canada a Mexico (Part 1)/ Otto Klassen. -- 1997. -- 30
minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-30Ma. -- Spanish. Accession No:02-161.
Vol. 250Pioneers in Mexico: Canadian Mennonites Colonize in Mexico/ Otto Klassen. – 1997. – 57 minutes. – Betacam SP Master, Sony BCT-60MLa. Accession No. 02-161.
Vol251Pioniere in Mexiko: Kanadische Mennoniten kolonisieren in Mexiko (Part 2)/ Otto
Klassen. -- 1997. -- 54 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-60MLa. -- High
German. Accession No:02-161.
Vol252Pioneare en Mexiko: Kanaudische Mennoniten Kolonisearen en Mexiko (Part 2)/ Otto
Klassen. -- 1997. -- 56 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-60MLa. -- Low
German. Accession No: 02-161.
Vol253Pioneros en Mexico: Menonitas Canadienses se Establecen en Mexico (Part 2)/ Otto
Klassen. -- 1997. -- 54 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT-60MLa. -- Spanish
Accession No:02-161
Vol25475th Anniversary Celebration of the Mennonites in Mexico 1922-1997 (Part 3)/ Otto
Klassen. -- 1998. -- 37 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT- 60 Mla. – English.Accession No: 02-161.
Vol25575 Jährige Jubiläumsfeier der Mennoniten in Mexiko 1922-1997 (Part 3)/ Otto
Klassen. -- 1998. -- 59 minutes. -- Betacam SP master, Sony BCT- 60 Mla. -- High
German. Accession No: 02-161.
Vol256Gespräsh "Delegatenreise 1921"/ Otto Klassen. -- 1998. -- 1 broadcast videocassette. --