Eugene Boyko

Who is Eugene Boyko?

Eugene Boyko known to many as "Jeep", he was a Canadian filmmaker who worked with the National Film Board of Canada. Born in Saskatoon in 1923. An early film of his, Helicopter Canada was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

He started with the NFB in the early 50's while it was still based in Ottawa. He moved with his wife Delia to Montreal when the head office was transferred.

In 1986, he was diagnosed with Haemochromatosis shortly after reading a magazine article about the work of Marie Warder, founder of the Canadian Haemochromatosis Society.

His cinematography credits include serving as director of photography of Donald Brittain's 1964 film Fields of Sacrifice. Fields was one of the films he was most proud of as it provided a sense of dignity of the fallen, without glorifying war. During the early 70's he worked with a number of aboriginal film makers as part of the NFB efforts to help people tell their own stories.

He worked on films across Canada and around the world, including India, Afghanistan, Ghana and throughout Europe. His films won many awards including Genies. He attended the Oscars when his film "Helicopter Canada" was nominated. The film was Canada's office centennial film. For two years he travelled across the country filming. The helicopter used was an Allouette II, chosen for its ability at high altitudes in order to be able to film in the western mountains.