Canadian film preview 2011: hopefully coming to a U.S. theatre near you

In talking to non-Americans, you are amazed to find how much they see America through film. Then again, I am a connoisseur of international film, and I tend to make the same pre-judgments about a country from film.

Fall brings in the new film season, and international film festivals. Since I don't live in Toronto, I can't access the best festival on the continent. However, I have a good perspective on the perception of Canadian film from the Chicago International Film Festival, which gets fully underway today. And each year, I write in the comment card: "Show more Canadian films." This year might be the worst in recent memory. Last year wasn't great, but much better than 2011.

"A Dangerous Method" will be the best-known "Canadian" film out this fall. The Chicago International Film Festival Web site lists the movie under "USA." Uh, no. The booklet says "Germany/Canada."

"A Dangerous Method" is one of those multi-national pictures set in Germany with a Canadian director (David Cronenberg) and a cast from multiple nations, including Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, and Viggo Mortensen. Throw in that the movie is about Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud in a love triangle, and this movie will play in regular theatres this fall.

But the movie isn't terribly Canadian in content, and doesn't showcase Canada.

"Wetlands" is the only true Canadian full-length film in the entire festival. And true to form, the film is French-Canadian.

Some new Canadian movies that came to Toronto's festival, but not Chicago's include:

"Keyhole" is the latest from director: Guy Maddin and stars Jason Patric and Isabella Rossellini. Madden is an acquired taste, but he is well-known.

"Café de Flore" from director: Jean-Marc Vallée. The most recognizable actress is probably Vanessa Paradis

"Edwin Boyd" is a long shot in that it's about a infamous Canadian bank robber. But British actress Kelly Reilly is in the film and she is recognizable among independent film viewers.

"Goon" may go over better with American audiences, given it's about a hockey goon, so extra violence for the Yanks. The film stars Seann William Scott and features Eugene Levy and Liev Schreiber.

Of course, festivals aren't the only place you'll find Canadian movies. While "Take This Waltz" played in Toronto and won't play in the Chicago festival, the latest release from Sarah Polley should play to broad audiences. Polley, who directed "Away From Her" and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in her directorial debut, also wrote and directed "Take This Waltz." The movie stars American actors Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams, and Sarah Silverman.

These are just the films where I have some recognition of the key elements. I have seen some lesser-known films over the years. Then again, in 2007, Oscar-winning director Denys Arcand came to Chicago to promote "The Age of Ignorance."

Comments

[SelahBeth]

As much as a woeful turnout it may be for Canadian movies at American film festivals, it may surprise you that they are woefully underplayed in Canada. They are hardly played in cinemas, at least widely spread. They are usually not given a lot of advertising that I can see, anyway. I think you have a better grasp on Canadian film than most Canadians.

[Chad]

I would like to think you're being nice about my knowledge of Canadian film, but you might be right. I'm surprised how little Canadians think of their own film culture, at least the Canadians I talk to. I do understand that the American film scene dominates the world, Canada included.