There is, of course, the thriving film industry where "American" films are shot in Canada. But there is a lot to be said for Canadian film. I would like to take you through my recent experiences with Canadian film and the Canadian film experience.
In September, I was in Toronto on vacation. Some people asked whether I was going to the film festival. I hadn't thought too much about it, but thought I should check it out.
I got there on a Friday as the festival was just starting. I tried to get tickets for a couple of films for Saturday morning. I was told that I should go to Roy Thomson Hall at 7 am to get tickets for Saturday. The first movie I wanted to see was at 9 am, so I had to hope I could get the tickets fairly soon.
Getting up early (on vacation) to rush for movie tickets seemed silly, but it was a tribute to the intensity of the Toronto festival experience. I was 25th in line even at 7 am, but I did get my tickets.
One of the two Canadian films I saw there was the 9 am showing of "Young People Fucking." I also saw "Continental, a Film Without Guns." Movies at 9 am? The passion for film was clear in Toronto.
In October in the Chicago International Film Festival, I saw two more Canadian films: "Weirdsville" and "The Age of Ignorance." Weirdsville was a slacker film set in Ontario, while "The Age of Ignorance" was the latest from Oscar-winning director Denys Arcand.
As is the tradition in film festivals, directors and stars make appearances. Arcand was at the Chicago premiere of his new film. I got a chance to meet him afterwards; he is very unassuming. I enjoyed his last two movies as well: The Barbarian Invasions (the Oscar-winning film for Best Foreign Language Film) and Stardom, the story of a female hockey player who gets discovered and becomes a model.
In November, I was in Windsor, Ontario for the weekend and happened upon the Windsor International Film Festival. I was literally in town for one night but got to see a movie that I missed in Toronto, "Breakfast with Scot." The movie features a former Maple Leafs hockey player who is gay. He and his partner end up with a young boy who is flamboyant, and doesn't know who Wayne Gretzky is. This was yet another delightful Canadian film.
In December, I saw "Juno" here in Chicago. I don't know if it qualifies as a Canadian film, but its male and female leads (Michael Cera and Ellen Page) are Canadian as is director Jason Reitman. From Halifax, Page has been nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actress. "Juno" was one of three films Page had at the Toronto International Film Festival and she's only 20.
Whether it's Atom Egoyan, Denys Arcand, Guy Maddin, Don McKellar, or Canada's newest director, 28-year-old Sarah Polley, there are many great Canadian film directors. You may not be able to see too many Canadian films at the local multiplex, but the Music Box, Landmark Century, Gene Siskel Film Center, and Facets are some of the places you can see Canadian films in Chicago. Or check your local video store or perhaps even Netflix. Canadian cinema is a way to get a taste of home while living here in the United States.
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