Canadian documentarian Nicholas Balla dies

Posted:
Dec 9, 2006

Nicholas Balla, producer of dozens of documentaries for the National Film Board of Canada, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, it was announced Saturday.

Born Nicholas Joseph Balla in Hungary in 1918, he immigrated to Canada as a young boy.

He was one of the editors of the animated documentary A Capital Plan (1949), depicting the redesign of Ottawa as a planned city. It was narrated by a young Lorne Greene.

Other animated documentaries that he produced for the NFB included Age of the Buffalo(1964) and People of the Buffalo(1968), both directed by Austin Campbell. His half-hour documentary The St. Lawrence Seaway (1959) combined live action and animation.

In 1962, he won a Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. It was a special prize for short film for the live-action Nahanni.

"As a prolific filmmaker with the National Film Board, Nick was able to share his passion for this beautiful country not only with Canadians, but with people around the world," his obituary read. "His belief in social justice prompted him to make films that challenged the status quo and stimulated the active exchange of ideas."

In the latter part of his career, Balla was a film executive.

He raised orphaned ducklings and fed chickadees in his spare time.

Nicholas Balla was married to Lillian for over 64 years. He also had a large family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A private reception will be held for close friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, 959 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2X5; phone (613) 725-0202.