On October 20, students at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School (CVR) had the pleasure of meeting movie director George Mihalka, who was invited to the school by teacher Justin Langlois.
Best known for his work on the 1981 film My Bloody Valentine, the passionate filmmaker shared his journey to becoming a director. With a career of more than four decades, Mihalka has directed over a dozen films and more than 100 television episodes ranging from the genre of horror to absolute comedy gold. He has inspired many other films and became a pioneer for Canadian films and television
This past summer, his countless contributions to the film industry paid off, as he was presented with the Canadian Trailblazer Award at the 29th annual Fantasia International Film Festival.
Mihalka said he felt a great sense of accomplishment in receiving this award, and despite some saying it’s only down from here, he plans to continue working hard and doing what he loves “until he’s horizontal.”
The director says he has always loved literature, having grown up in a home filled with vast collections of books. However, after coming to Canada from Hungary at the age of 10, he knew nothing of the English or French language. This allowed him to see the world in a unique way: through images. This inspired him to eventually begin working in the film industry.
He explained that his first experiences were as a gopher; he made coffee and scrubbed toilets, but he made the most of it and took the opportunity to learn from the filmmakers who surrounded him. Mihalka may not have had the most glamorous job at this point, but he did quality work, and he was noticed. Eventually, he was promoted to driver, and through determination and boldness he eventually came to make his own movies.
Mihalka has made it his mission to craft films that combine entertainment and intelligence, leading him to become a much-loved director for both his French and English films.
The CVR audience was left with some inspiring closing remarks about the importance of hard work, patience, and humility when working towards your dreams. Mihalka’s great accomplishments did not come easily, but he overcame each obstacle and did so masterfully. His great lessons will remain with all of us, serving as a reminder that your passions come with a price, but if you really love something, you’ll be willing to pay it.