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Winnipeg Free Press
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Camera, canoe, connection
Born on July 1 — Canada Day — 38 years ago in southwestern Poland, filmmaker Patryk Szmidt's finding a creative home in Canada almost feels destined. Six years ago, guided by the immigration program and a determination to shape his own path, Szmidt and his partner Natalia, a graphic designer, chose Winnipeg to put down roots and build something meaningful. 'Being a filmmaker, it's going to be easier for me to stay here along with my partner,' he says. Patryk Szmidt at the Kicker Films office in St. Boniface; he named the company for the word's implication of momentum. 'I did my research before immigrating and found out that Winnipeg has a decent filmmaking community. We're going to try and get our path here the easy way — connect with other filmmakers and start to build my own production company here.' That company became Kicker Films, located at 354 Marion St. 'Kicker is a cool word, between kicking the ball and making things move along,' Szmidt explains over coffee in stoneware mugs on the table, Polish chocolates and biscuits nearby. His functional, airy office leads down a hallway to an equipment-stocked back room where the magic of editing happens. 'In my style, I try to find something between cool and visual, with important messages for people.' His roots in visual storytelling reach back to school days in Poland — first through music production, then photography and eventually filmmaking. After studying journalism and communications at the University of Wrocław, he began blending those skills into a career — starting with music videos, then commercial work, documentaries and freelancing. When he arrived in Canada, he hit the ground running: 'It was a big learning curve to establish myself here, but I've done a lot of commercials in Winnipeg. We're a production company. But the goal is to eventually just make documentary films.' In 2023, he fulfilled a part of that goal by producing, directing and filming Paddling Paradise, a documentary series for Bell TV and Fibe TV1. The project follows three experienced paddlers — Charles Burchill, Harald Weigeldt, and Brian Hydesmith — as they navigate the remote backcountry of Manitoba by canoe. The heart of the film is the Mantario Wilderness Cabin, located about 150 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg on an island in Mantario Lake, straddling the Manitoba-Ontario border. The cabin, owned by the Province of Manitoba but leased and operated by Nature Manitoba, is nestled in the Mantario Wilderness Zone on the eastern edge of Whiteshell Provincial Park — on Treaty 3 territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe Nations and the homeland of the Métis Nation. No motorized traffic is allowed. As Burchill puts it, 'The cottage is a very isolated and unique experience for people because of its distinct status.' A retired botanist with the University of Manitoba, Burchill has long been drawn to this wilderness. He recalls how Szmidt instantly connected with the landscape: 'The trip, landscape and environment provided a vision that he wanted to share through film. Although I wasn't able to return with Patryk, Harald and Brian to the Mantario area, Patryk found time for us to travel back to the Canadian Shield, and he was able to integrate that trip into the film.' Burchill appreciated Szmidt's light-handed directing style. 'He provided excellent direction, but not too much, so we could put a personal stamp on what we said and did,' he says. Hydesmith, a graphic designer and lifelong canoeist, introduced Szmidt to the area the year before production began. 'He came up with the story and worked on it,' he said via a recent phone call, while waiting in his car to board a BC Ferries boat to Bowen Island. 'The first trip for actual filming, neither Charles nor Harald could go, so my wife, Liz, and I paddled Patryk out there. He shot in every bit of light he had.' That shoot had a moment of misadventure — Szmidt's drone lost power and sank into Mantario Lake. 'We rushed out in the canoe, but all we found were bubbles,' Hydesmith recalls. Undeterred, he and Weigeldt returned with Szmidt the following week to reshoot what was lost — and capture more. For Weigeldt, the project held personal meaning. A dream to build his own canoe had begun in the 1980s, after discovering Canoecraft by Ted Moores. Four decades later, that dream was realized — and Paddling Paradise became an unexpected part of the journey. 'After retirement, I was finally able to fulfil that dream,' Weigeldt says in an email. 'The canoe became a means of exploring the natural world around us. But it was also a vehicle for building relationships with like-minded people.' Paddling Paradise follows three experienced paddlers as they canoe in Manitoba. The film allowed that spirit of connection to ripple outward. 'The project became a way to share the canoe experience with a wider audience,' he adds. Being featured in the film wasn't effortless: 'It was a challenge to be the subject. I'm quite happy not being in the limelight.' Yet in the hands of Szmidt's quiet camera, vulnerability became strength. Despite the solitude of the setting, Paddling Paradise feels anything but spare. Szmidt handled every aspect of the film himself: drone work, sound, editing, camera operation and directing. 'I've been on movie sets with large teams and specialized roles,' says Hydesmith. 'Patryk did everything on his own. His shots are quiet, graceful — nothing feels rushed. There's a real artfulness to his work that reflects the experience of Mantario itself.' For Szmidt, portraying the vastness of nature was essential. 'The drone really helped show the size of the environment,' he says. 'You see how small we are in it — and how connected we can be to it.' And for all involved, the film captures a shared reverence for the quiet power of simplicity and wild places. Burchill praises the documentary as a 'representation of the spirit and passion we each hold for paddling and the Mantario area.' Szmidt echoes that sentiment. 'The great thing in Canada is how people spend their free time outside,' he says. 'In Poland, camping isn't a big part of the culture — we would go to small spots outside town or to the Baltic Sea. But here, the national and provincial parks make it easy. That's what I love about being here.' Having arrived without grand expectations — 'I just go with the flow and see how things turn out' — Szmidt has found steady ground, artistic purpose and a country that aligns beautifully with his values. 'Canada is blessed to have young creative talents like Patryk and Natalia as immigrants,' says Hydesmith. 'They are the type of people who help make Canada a great place. They enrich the fabric of our country.' Paddling Paradise is not only a window into Manitoba's wilderness — it's a portrait of a filmmaker whose lens is guided by curiosity, humility and a deep appreciation for the stories that live in the land. The Paddling Paradise series can be viewed on Fibe TV1 or streamed through the Bell TV app, where Szmidt's vision brings the wilderness to life. arts@ Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
600-year-old amethyst 'worthy of a duke' found in medieval castle moat in Poland
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Around 600 years ago, an aristocrat visiting a medieval castle lost an ornate piece of jewelry. But archaeologists recently dredged the unique amethyst set in fire-gilded silver from the muck of the old moat. "I believe the item was originally part of a brooch or, less likely, a coronet or a crown," Lech Marek, an archaeologist at the University of Wrocław in Poland, told Live Science in an email, "which makes it so unique in a medieval settlement context." Medieval jewelry is often found in hoards or in tombs, Marek and Beata Miazga, another archaeologist at the University of Wrocław, wrote in a study published online July 11 in the journal Antiquity. But this one was discovered in a more "everyday" situation, they wrote, having presumably been lost by someone traveling to or from Castle Kolno. Castle Kolno was founded in the early 13th century as a fortress and duke's palace that also served as a customs house controlling the transport of wood. The original owner, Duke Bolesław III of Brzeg, eventually sold the property to some wealthy knights. In 1443, Castle Kolno was burned and destroyed during the civil wars in Silesia. And in 2010, Marek and his team began archaeological excavation at the ruined castle, discovering military artifacts, cavalry items and ceramics typical of the 14th and 15th centuries. Using Raman spectroscopic analysis, which measures the light emitted from lasers bombarding a substance to determine its molecular composition, the gemstone was identified as an amethyst, and X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed the metal parts were silver and fire-gilded, which involved considerable amounts of mercury, Marek and Miazga wrote in the study. "Because of their symbolic meaning, availability and aesthetic qualities, amethysts were popular in the medieval period," Marek said. Related: Medieval crowns of Eastern European royalty hidden in cathedral wall since World War II finally recovered Medieval folklore suggests that amethysts could protect their wearer from intoxication, venom, gout, bad dreams, treason, deceit, captivity, blindness, enchantment and strangulation, the researchers wrote, and they could also represent faith, modesty and martyrdom. RELATED STORIES —Medieval iron glove, likely worn by a knight, discovered near Swiss castle —Rare cross-shaped reliquary unearthed from medieval knight's home in Poland —'Hairy books' bound by medieval monks are covered in sealskin, study finds "In the sophisticated medieval play of symbols, the choice of gems for jewelry always had a deeper reason," Marek said, and "if a jewel was believed to be charged with supernatural powers, its value increased rapidly." It is unknown who lost this semiprecious gem or how they lost it, but the researchers have no doubt the person lived an aristocratic lifestyle. Similar jewels in similar settings have been found on high-end jewelry of the period, Marek said. But the Castle Kolno amethyst is unusual because it is a high-status jewel worthy of a duke that was likely lost in a very mundane activity several centuries ago. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
There's a specific reason why short men try to ‘appear more powerful': study confirms
'Napoleon complex, short man syndrome, short king' are all nicknames for short men — you've heard them, you know them — and you can probably think of a few people who possess the overcompensating, arrogant, cocky behavior that this category of guys oftentimes possess. Some might say it's a stereotype — but according to a study by the American Psychological Association, an arrogant attitude isn't the only thing these men are showing. Researchers found that it is more likely for short men to show signs of jealousy and competitiveness when compared to their taller peers. 'Psychological perceptions of height significantly influence social dynamics and behaviors,' the study pointed out. 'Understanding these associations can inform strategies for promoting positive body image and mental well-being, particularly among individuals who may feel marginalized by societal height standards.' Another study revealed that men who lack height also have narcissistic tendencies — and try to appear more powerful than they probably are. 'Shorter people with traits such as psychopathy [lack of empathy and antisocial behaviors] can use them to demand respect, impose costs on others and impress romantic partners,' said lead researcher Monika Koslowska from the University of Wrocław in Poland, originally reported by Men's Health. 'Appearing more powerful may, in turn, make other people perceive them as taller than they really are.' Men are not only trying to overcompensate for their lack of height, they're also being deceitful on dating apps by lying about or exaggerating their height — and single women are wising up by using Chat GPT to expose these short frauds. 'The girls are using ChatGPT to see if men are lying about their height on dating apps,' Justine Moore, a venture capitalist from San Francisco, California, revealed to 361,000 X users. 'Upload 4 pictures' to [Chat GPT]. It uses proportions and surroundings to estimate height,' she instructed in her shocking tweet. 'I tested it on 10 friends & family members,' Moore proudly wrote. 'All estimates were within 1 inch of their real height.' You almost can't blame men for telling a white lie on their dating profiles, considering researchers at Texas A&M International University found that 'Women considered taller men with larger SHRs [shoulder to hip ratio] as more attractive, masculine, dominant, and higher in fighting ability.' Their findings also pointed out that '…these sexually dimorphic features [height and a larger SHR] are a reflection of men's genetic quality.' Researchers found that women view men with these physical qualities as having 'the ability to provide direct benefits' such as 'protection, resource provisioning.'
New York Post
12-06-2025
- New York Post
There's a specific reason why short men try to ‘appear more powerful': study confirms
'Napoleon complex, short man syndrome, short king' are all nicknames for short men — you've heard them, you know them — and you can probably think of a few people who possess the overcompensating, arrogant, cocky behavior that this category of guys oftentimes possess. Some might say it's a stereotype — but according to a study by the American Psychological Association, an arrogant attitude isn't the only thing these men are showing. Researchers found that it is more likely for short men to show signs of jealousy and competitiveness when compared to their taller peers. 'Psychological perceptions of height significantly influence social dynamics and behaviors,' the study pointed out. Shorter men often feel insecure and jealous compared to their taller counterparts. xixinxing – 'Understanding these associations can inform strategies for promoting positive body image and mental well-being, particularly among individuals who may feel marginalized by societal height standards.' Another study revealed that men who lack height also have narcissistic tendencies — and try to appear more powerful than they probably are. 'Shorter people with traits such as psychopathy [lack of empathy and antisocial behaviors] can use them to demand respect, impose costs on others and impress romantic partners,' said lead researcher Monika Koslowska from the University of Wrocław in Poland, originally reported by Men's Health. 'Appearing more powerful may, in turn, make other people perceive them as taller than they really are.' Men are not only trying to overcompensate for their lack of height, they're also being deceitful on dating apps by lying about or exaggerating their height — and single women are wising up by using Chat GPT to expose these short frauds. 'The girls are using ChatGPT to see if men are lying about their height on dating apps,' Justine Moore, a venture capitalist from San Francisco, California, revealed to 361,000 X users. Women are tired of men lying about their height on dating apps. Mihail – 'Upload 4 pictures' to [Chat GPT]. It uses proportions and surroundings to estimate height,' she instructed in her shocking tweet. 'I tested it on 10 friends & family members,' Moore proudly wrote. 'All estimates were within 1 inch of their real height.' You almost can't blame men for telling a white lie on their dating profiles, considering researchers at Texas A&M International University found that 'Women considered taller men with larger SHRs [shoulder to hip ratio] as more attractive, masculine, dominant, and higher in fighting ability.' Their findings also pointed out that '…these sexually dimorphic features [height and a larger SHR] are a reflection of men's genetic quality.' Researchers found that women view men with these physical qualities as having 'the ability to provide direct benefits' such as 'protection, resource provisioning.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tomb filled with skulls, bones of 24 battle victims discovered in Peru
Researchers carrying out excavation work in southern Peru found a tomb filled with the remains of two dozen people believed to be battle victims. Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Wrocław in Poland have been studying a settlement in the Atico River Valley, a geographical area along the Puru's southern coast, the university said in a translated post on social media. The settlement existed before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, researchers said. Previous research has found the remains of Inca roads and some cave sites with rock paintings, researchers said, but little other work has been done in the region. Archaeological work in a cemetery area led to the discovery of the circular tomb. The burial site had a stone inscription listing 24 names, including those of men, women and children. The bones found inside the burial site were analyzed. The anthropological analyses confirmed that all 24 people in the tomb had "numerous damages," or battle injuries, "that are the direct cause of death." There were also "grave gifts" found at the site, including pottery pieces identified as belonging to the Chuquibamba or Aruni people, a pre-Incan culture based around the Majes basin, south of the research site. The bodies were wrapped in textiles. Pieces of ceramic, stone and wood products were also found, as well as corn cobs. The remains at the site were buried "in accordance with ritual," the researchers noted. The research team said they believed the group was killed as a result of a conflict. The people who died were likely from the group that won the conflict, allowing for the elaborate burial, the researchers said. Work at the site will continue through April. White House responds to judge who found cause to hold Trump administration in contempt Outbreak Science | 60 Minutes Archive Demis Hassabis | Sunday on 60 Minutes
