Plot

An often hilarious, sometimes poignant, story of the trials, joys, and dreams of Winnipeg film animator Ed Ackerman, a modern day composite of Don Quixote, Peter Pan, Chaplin's Tramp, the biblical Job and Sisyphus of Greek mythology, as Ackerman, amongst many other labours, tries to resurrect a twenty five year old film animation project designed to help children spell, attempts with Little money to turn three derelict houses into a film production studio which would also serve as an inheritance for his three children and runs for Parliament and then for Mayor in an effort to stop the threatened demolition of his dilapidated properties by the City of Winnipeg.—Anonymous

Few words can accurately describe Ed Ackerman, but special seems appropriate in this offbeat and often hilarious story about a modern day composite of Don Quixote, Peter Pan, Chaplin's Tramp, Job and Sisyphus. Among Ackermans many underfunded endeavours is a 25-year-old animation project designed to help kids spell, which he's hoping to complete by converting three derelict houses in a struggling neighbourhood into a film studio. Ideally, the renovated properties will become an inheritance for his three grown children. But his artistic vision conflicts with city bylaws, inspiring Ed to run for parliament and mayor in an effort to save his properties from demolition. It can all appear wildly eccentric and idealistic, but in a city like Winnipeg and with an artist like Ackerman, you cant help but admire his conviction. "Life is short but its wide," says Ed. "I don't want to define my life by things I haven't done."