Editor's note: CBC will still show the scheduled Canadian films on April 18 but after the One World: Together at Home concert.
CBC is scrambling to fill primetime programming slots in lieu of no NHL Stanley Cup playoffs thanks to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. CBC has smartly been using the Saturday night slots for Canadian film. These are not the more adventurous Canadian films. Some of them don't even seem Canadian.
Let's take a look at the upcoming schedule (all times local; add 30 minutes for Newfoundland and a small part of Labrador):
April 18
7p The Breadwinner (2017) (Animated)
9p Maudie (2016)
April 25
7p Still Mine (2012)
9p Brooklyn (2015)
The most Canadian of these films is Maudie, even with British and American leads (Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke). The Breadwinner and Brooklyn are Canadian-produced, one of several countries involved.
James Cromwell dominates Still Mine, though Geneviève Bujold is part of the cast.
TIFF Bell Lightbox extends closure to July 1
CBC is showing Canadian films to fill time on Hockey Night in Canada
Canadian film review: Maudie
Canadians should see Canadian stories told by Canadians on its public broadcaster. All of these films qualify as Canadian films, but the average Canadian might wonder why.
CBC could run themes with actors, directors, cities. I love the idea of having a Turner Classic Movies type feel with introductions to the films to bring perspective and context.
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
If you are looking for a bit more adventure from Canadian films, CBC is opening Thursday nights to entries in the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival 2020, one of the many film festivals to be cancelled.
The series starts tonight with the Canadian documentaries available on CBC and CBC Gem at 8 pm local time and the documentary Channel at 9 pm EDT. You can check out the list of upcoming Canadian films.
CanadianCrossing.com CBC coverage
CBC is basically running non-offensive Canadian films from their CBC Gem collection. How are Canadians supposed to learn about their films if they are treated like they can't handle what the country produces.
Oh, well. This is better than no Canadian films. Detroit, Buffalo, and Seattle can also tune in via cable to CBC among other places. We'll have another update in 2 weeks.
photo credit: Maudie film
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