Filmmakers find a little piece of Europe in Paris
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
Paris is preparing for its moment on the big screen as a Canadian film production company explores the town's historic architecture, cultural traditions and community character for an upcoming feature-length documentary.
Europe in Ontario, produced by MARKD Productions, is taking filmmakers on a journey through southwestern Ontario to uncover the European influences that have shaped communities such as Paris, Stratford, Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener and London.
The approximately two-hour documentary will explore more than historic buildings and familiar European place names. Through interviews with local historians, community leaders and residents, filmmakers hope to uncover the stories of migration, identity and belonging that continue to shape these communities today.
For Paris, that means looking beyond its picturesque streets and cobblestone architecture to discover the people and traditions that give the town its character.
Kevin Huhn, co-founder of MARKD Productions, has visited Paris several times this year alongside his production team, capturing footage at the Paris Fair and the popular Paris Butter Tart Festival.
Those visits, he says, have already left an impression.
"At first, Paris seemed like a quaint town that was modest and reserved. But as we walked the street and entered buildings, we quickly found charm with its hidden gems. Like Wincey Mills: historic building that hosts a variety of eatery and little shops. Or the Arlington Hotel with its distinctive European character, elegant interior and architectural detail. And history like in the Paris Bakery. Then there is the Grand River that flows alongside town which gives it that charming feel to stop and just take in the moment," Huhn told the Paris Independent.
He also credited the County of Brant's economic development and tourism team for helping the filmmakers establish connections within the community, including opportunities to capture footage at local events.
The production team has been connected with the Paris Museum and Historical Society, the Arlington Hotel and Paris Wincey Mills, with additional filming and interviews planned over the coming months.
Although the filmmakers are still in the early stages of researching Paris's history, Huhn said they have already discovered some of the stories that distinguish the community, including its reputation as the Cobblestone Capital of Canada and the gypsum deposits that gave rise to its name.
The film's creative outline identifies Paris as a community where filmmakers will explore the contrast between a romanticized identity and the everyday experiences of those who call it home. It's a theme that fits into the documentary's larger question: What is the root of Europe in Ontario?
Rather than simply examining how communities acquired their European names, the production aims to explore how generations of immigration, cultural traditions and changing identities have influenced life in modern Ontario.
The documentary will also examine the intersection of European and Indigenous histories, recognizing the layers of heritage that contribute to the province's identity.
Each destination will offer a different perspective. Stratford, for example, will explore the arts as a form of cultural inheritance, while Kitchener will examine its German heritage and evolving modern identity. Paris will provide an opportunity to look at how a community's historic image compares with the experiences of the people who live there.
For Huhn, the project also represents a personal return to southwestern Ontario.
From 1998 to 2001, he scouted for the Kitchener Rangers, developing connections throughout the region through hockey. Nearly three decades later, he is returning to many of those same communities, this time with a camera and a different story to tell.
Huhn brings an extensive background in business and media production to the project. Before entering filmmaking, he spent more than 30 years working with businesses of various sizes and produced The Hockey Source, a television program for NHL Network and FOX Sports.
In 2021, he pursued film production studies at Toronto Film School, where he connected with fellow filmmakers who would establish MARKD Productions in 2022.
The company has since produced several short films and documentaries that have received international film festival recognition.
Huhn is working alongside MARKD co-founder and director Robert Crowley Smith, who lives in Stratford. The production team also includes executive producer Ayla Johnston, who has family connections to the Paris area.
Helping guide audiences through the documentary will be Kitchener's Kat Callaghan, widely recognized as the voice of TikTok's text-to-speech feature. Callaghan will serve as host and narrator, introducing viewers to the communities and people featured throughout the film.
Canadian actor Colm Feore and television personality Chef D are also confirmed contributors, while discussions have taken place with actor Victor Garber.
The project has attracted support from businesses and organizations across southwestern Ontario, including the historic Walper Hotel in Kitchener, The Queen's Cue in Stratford, the Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener business improvement areas, and Rheo Thompson Chocolates.
According to Huhn, municipal officials in the communities being featured, including Paris, have also helped establish local connections.
Filming is expected to continue until late January or early February 2027, allowing the production team to capture seasonal events and experiences throughout the region.
In Paris, the next phase will include additional interviews and visits to historic sites as filmmakers work to better understand the town's heritage and contemporary identity.
"We believe that another part of the story (apart from visuals, events, archives and site visits) will be revealed through the interviews.
They will be taking place shortly," said Huhn.
The filmmakers are aiming to complete post-production in time to submit the documentary to the Toronto International Film Festival in May or June 2027.
Huhn said the project has secured an exclusive theatrical release arrangement with Cineplex, while additional distribution opportunities are being explored.
For Paris residents, the finished documentary could offer an opportunity to see their hometown through a different lens, one that celebrates its historic charm while uncovering the stories and people behind the scenery.
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