Film about Canada’s first woman infantry officer premiering in Ottawa

Your Morning Ottawa was joined by Canada's first woman infantry officer, Sandra Perron.

A film based on the life of Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female infantry officer, is getting an Ottawa premiere at the National Arts Centre on Thursday.

The military drama titled “Out Standing” is based on Perron’s 2017 memoir, “Out Standing in the Field: A Memoir by Canada’s First Female Infantry Officer,” and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 5.

“I was so proud of this movie and the way they didn’t sensationalize it or make Nina Kiri, my role, a super woman. You know she’s petite, she’s strong, she’s got drive,” Perron told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Tuesday.

“I love the movie and the way they stayed true to my story and portrayed my loyalty and my admiration for the military.”

While Perron was a trailblazer for women in the military, becoming the first Canadian female infantry officer in 1990, she says she never set out to make history.

“I never thought of it that way,” she said. “I wanted to be infantry, I wanted to go airborne, whether I was the first or not, for me, back then, it was just background noise.”

Both of Perron’s parents served in the military, and she says she wanted to continue the tradition.

“I wanted to continue that service to my country. I loved every aspect of the military. The physical, the leadership, the development and the challenges, I loved it.”

After writing and publishing her memoir in 2017, Perron was approached by Quebec-based production company GPA Films, who wanted to adapt her life’s story.

“It was daunting, because all my secrets would be on the big screen, but they were in the book anyways. I was excited to give voice to women across the country.”

The film is directed by Mélanie Charbonneau and will be playing in theatres starting on Friday, Sept. 26.

Proceeds from the Ottawa premiere at the National Arts Centre will go to The Pepper Pod, a retreat centre for women veterans founded by Perron.

Details on the Ottawa premier can be found at: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/39504.

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