Imax film maker Colin Low died yesterday in Montreal. Born in 1926 in Cardston, Alberta, he grew up on a ranch near the border with the American state of Montana.
In 1945 Low was hired by Norman McLaren, the legendary animator at the National Film Board. Low moved to Montreal, started as a graphic artist and worked his way up to head the animation unit.
Eventually he moved into documentary filmmaking and is remembered for titles including City of Gold, Corral and Universe.
The narrator from Low’s Universe became the memorable voice of Kubrick’s HAL 9000 computer.
Universe was one of the sources Stanley Kubrick used when making 2001: A Space Odyssey. The narrator from Low’s Universe became the memorable voice of Kubrick’s HAL 9000 computer.
Another milestone was In the Labyrinth, co-directed with IMAX creator Roman Kroitor. It was projected on two 50 foot screens inside the Labyrinth Pavilion, which was a major draw at Montreal’s Expo 67.
Over a 50-year career at the NFB, Low worked on more than 200 productions.
“He was tireless, visionary, generous in spirit, a true gentlemen―a great Canadian and Albertan,” Claude Joli-Coeur, NFB Chairperson, said in a statement. “Canada will not see his like again and we are forever in his debt. ”
Low was honoured wth more than 100 awards, including two Short Film Palme d’Or awards at the Cannes Film Festival and a BAFTA award.
He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1996.
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