art of the state

Why is it that Anglo-Canadian filmmakers just can't seem to break through with audiences on the same level that our writers and musicians have? Let's put the Jewisons and the Cronenbergs aside and focus on those who still reside and work in Canada, with Canadian dollars backing them. (Also, we've never had a deficiency in the experimental and documentary departments, I'm talking fiction here.)

Much has been written on this subject; some blame the talent-vacuum that is Hollywood, luring away all our writers, actors and directors. Others say it's the government funding structure, which we are lucky to have, but which works in mysterious ways more often than not. Perhaps it's the ever-present national identity crisis: who are we and what makes us Canadian? etc. There is also the lack of available screens due to the distribution/exhibition oligopoly that is taking over theatres.

Whatever the obstacles in our path, I think we Anglo-Canadian filmmakers need to take a closer look at our product (which is, after all, the one thing we can control). Do our recent films really stand up when compared with Quebec, let alone independent American offerings? Rather than wade too deeply into the debate, I'll let you be the judge. Here are some interesting ones to consider:

Black Field (2009)

This is a promising feature debut from Winnipeg director Danishka Esterhazy. A Gothic prairie tale set in the 1870s, it tells the story of a love triangle between two sisters living alone on their farm and a handsome francophone stranger with a dubious past. Although some of the details could have used more fleshing out, this film reminds me of playing "pioneers" with my cousins in the bleak prairie landscape (in a good way) and the two young actresses are a pleasure to watch.

Small-Town Murder Songs (2010)

I had high expectations for this one, and perhaps that was my problem. The concept sounds great--a murder shakes up a pacifist Mennonite community in rural Ontario. I was hoping for a Canadian Silent Light (a brilliant, slow-paced Menno love-triangle set on a Mexican colony by director Carlos Reygadas) but found writer/director/producer Ed Gass-Donnelly's  use of music and superimposed Bible verses (the same as quoted in Glenn Gould's radio doc The Quiet in the Land) to be a bit heavy-handed. Plus, I get tired of seeing the same actors' faces all the time (Jackie Burroughs, anyone?). Sometimes it's better to go with unknown or unprofessional actors in bit parts, since recognizing a well-known one can take the audience out of the story.

Grown-Up Movie Star (2009)

I really enjoyed this one, another debut from a woman filmmaker (Adriana Maggs). The story of a self-destructive teenage girl in a small town may not be the most original (I've even made a film about that subject), but I think originality is over-rated anyway. It's what you do with a concept that makes the film live or die, and this movie's fine cast carries it off brilliantly. Saskatchewan girl Tatiana Maslany even won an acting award at Sundance for her performance and is definitely on her way up.

Cairo Time (2009)

I have to admit that, for me, this film was the most pleasant surprise of the bunch. Yes, it falls squarely into "chick-flick" territory, and although the stories may sound similar, it's nothing like the cliché and shmaltzy Eat Pray Love. In Cairo Time, love blossoms between a woman waiting alone in Cairo for her husband, who is prevented from joining her due to his high-stakes job with the UN, and a dark, handsome friend of his. Somehow, writer-director Ruba Nadda has managed to make this dreamily romantic, funny and bittersweet film without being sucked down into sentimentality--a terrific feat when dealing with material like this! I have great respect for this prolific yet under-appreciated filmmaker and look forward to her future offerings.

PS: Notice a thread developing here? Four out of five of these films are from women directors--hopefully this trend continues!

PPS: Some other recent Canadian films I look forward to seeing: The Kate Logan Affair (Noël Mitrani), Good Neighbors (Jacob Tierney), and of course, Keyhole (Guy Maddin).