Sault-born Academy Award winner's archives at Algoma U

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

************************* Algoma University's Arthur A. Wishart Library is now home to the archives of Brian Vallée SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (March 15, 2010) - Algoma University's Arthur A. Wishart Library is pleased to announce that it is now home to the archives for Sault Ste. Marie-born and Academy Award winning author, journalist, and documentary film-maker Brian Vallée.

Vallée began his newspaper career in the Sault; as a journalist, he worked on newspapers in England, the United States and Canada, before moving on to work at CBC's award-winning documentary program the fifth estate where he spent 10 years, the last five as a producer/director. He was researcher and associate producer of John Zaritsky's documentary Just another Missing Kid which won an Oscar at the 1983 Academy Awards.

Two of the numerous CBC documentaries produced by Vallée won Actra Awards for the fifth estate and he was associate producer for the one-hour documentary Cruel Camera which won an Audubon Society award. His first non-fiction book, the best-selling Life with Billy (1986), about Jane Hurshman, an abused wife who took the law into her own hands, was published in Canada, the United States and France.

The case led to battered wife syndrome becoming a legitimate defence in Canadian courts.

A television movie based on the book won three Gemini Awards in 1995. Vallée's latest books are The War on Women (2006) and a special commemorative edition of Life with Billy (2008).

The new edition combines the original Life with Billy and Life after Billy into a single volume and contains an updated prologue.

The War on Women shines a light on the alarming number of women being murdered by their male partners and the failure of the justice system to protect them.

Other books by Vallée include Pariah (1991), Edwin Alonzo Boyd: The Story of the Notorious Boyd Gang (1997), and The Torso Murder: The Untold Story of Evelyn Dick (2001). Since the publication of his latest books, Vallée has been the keynote speaker on criminal domestic violence at several events and conferences around the country.

In addition, since leaving the CBC, Vallée has produced and directed several documentaries for the fifth estate and one-hour documentaries on Edwin Alonzo Boyd and Canadian artist Ken Danby for the network's Life and Times program.

He also researched and wrote the documentary The Notorious Mrs. Dick, which aired on CTV in March 2002.

Vallée's books continue to be in print and available through Key Porter Books, one of Canada's most prominent publishers. Visit the Arthur A. Wishart Library, the Arthur A. Wishart Library archives catalogue (key word search on "Brian Vallee") and Brian Vallée's website.

About Algoma University

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in psychology, computer science, business administration, fine arts, community economic & social development, and biology.

As the Canadian home of the internationally recognised MSc CGT from the University of Abertay Dundee, Algoma University is at the forefront of computer games technology education.

Algoma University also offers accelerated second degree programs in business administration and computer science on its Brampton campus.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

To learn more about Algoma University, visit here.

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