Controversial Calgary street preacher gets voice in new documentary
Notorious street pastor Art Pawlowski’s fight for social justice has landed on the big screen.
Crews are shown filming Street Church in front of Old City Hall for a new documentary premiering in Calgary on Feb. 1.
“Street Advocate” opens Feb. 1 at the Plaza Theatre, and on Tuesday, Pawlowski said the hour-long expose adds credence to claims coming from his inner-city Christian ministry known as “Street Church.”
“You will see arrests, you will see abuse of power by the police and bylaw officers, you will see corporate security breaking the law right in your face,” he told Metro. “You’ll see testimonies of people that were impacted by the ministry.”
VIEW TRAILER OF THE FILM “STREET ADVOCATE”
Since 2005, Pawlowski has been ministering in the downtown core and feeding a needy flock in front of Old City Hall. He’s long been at odds with the city over his use of a voice amplifier, among other grievances.
Pawlowski claims he’s never been criminally convicted despite 10 arrests, more than roughly 200 citations and 80 court appearances.
“If I’m such a terrible lawbreaker (then) why am I free?”
Politicians, lawyers and media types are reported to be among those attending Street Advocate’s premiere at the Kensington-area theatre.
Calgary-MLA Ric McIver has promoted the opening-night show online and has openly backed Pawlowski, whom he refers to as a friend.
McIver couldn’t be reached for comment, but he’s seen questioning the controversy around Street Church in a YouTube video.
“It seems to me he’s getting picked on,” he told the filmmaker.
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Tickets cost $12 with the proceeds purportedly going to help homeless people.
Behind the scenes:
- Director Tomasz Wiszniewski and his crew spent almost two weeks in Calgary filming the daily activities of Street Church and their volunteers.
- Roughly half the documentary was taped in Calgary with other scenes in Lake Louise, Maskwacis (Hobbema) and a “small portion” in Poland.
- More information including photos, videos and links can be found online Streetadvocate.ca