Back after a short vacation, here is a list of 10 Canadian movies reader Elana thinks you should see before you die, in no particular order.
The Sweet Hereafter – The sadness, the excellent acting – Canadian all the way.
waydowntown – A different way to look at 9 to 5 and the rat race as it were.
Last Night – What would you do if the world was ending tomorrow – done in a personal touching way not how are we going to save it.
Nanook of the North – This is the first documentary! It is a interesting look into the lives of the Inuit.
Bon Cop Bad Cop – French Canadian relations – very funny to me because it is my life!
Naked Lunch – David Cronenberg at his f***ed up finest – watch out because it will give you nightmares.
Double Happiness – Sandra Oh struggling between cultural differences – amazing.
Red Violin – If you have not seen this, do it.
C.R.A.Z.Y – Fantastic look at growing up in Montreal in the 70s.
Water – Set in India, giving a multicultural element to the list.
I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t seen the balance of movies on this list, so I’m going to do that, for sure… and soon. For my money, I would have added Amal and The Tracey Fragments because they are two of my personal favorite CanCon flicks and people should definitely see them before they die.
What about you my fine Canadian readers? What would YOU add to this list?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
My 10 Canadian Films:
Goin’ Down The Road
Videodrome
Strange Brew
The Sweet Hereafter
Waydowntown
Ginger Snaps
The Rowdyman
Roadkill
Pontypool
The Saddest Music in the World
.-= kurt´s last blog post ..Summer of Sound Film Festival [Vancouver] =-.
I’m obviously looking forward to watching “The Sweet Hereafter”, “Double Happiness”, “Last Night”, “Roadkill” and “Naked Lunch”. Now, speaking about what I’d have added, here’s my list:
Lost and Delirious
Pontypool
Where the Truth Lies
Maurice Richard (The Rocket)
My Life Without Me
The Tracey Fragments
The Englishman’s Boy
Polytechnique
Falling Angels
Normal
.-= Anh Khoi Do´s last blog post ..Public Enemies =-.
I knew you’d be in for Pontypool, Kurt and Ginger Snaps… that one surprised me. I’m fascinated by the addition of Polytechnique, Anh Khoi. I had a pretty violent reaction to that movie because I think I was a little too close to the subject matter, but, basically, I liked Elephant more, even thought it’s not Canadian. Also, I really need to see The Rocket. I heart Roy Dupius.
I had some difficulty to make this list, naturally.
Speaking about “Polytechnique”, although I was only two years old at the time the Montreal Massacre occurred, I never felt that the film was easy to watch. Nonetheless, if “Polytechnique” is good, in my opinion, it’s because of the way director Denis Villeneuve decides to deal with the subject matter. By choosing to make a black-and-white film, he clearly indicates to the audience that the violence in the film can’t be regarded as entertainment. Therefore, even though the film opens a wound in all of us, Canadians, “Polytechnique” sticks to its plan which consists in talking about the event itself without being sensational. Finally, I haven’t seen “Elephant”, but I thank you for the suggestion. Moreover, enjoy “The Rocket”.
.-= Anh Khoi Do´s last blog post ..Public Enemies =-.
Well, first off, your admission that you were only two when the Montreal Massacre happened makes me feel OLD. Second, I agree, Polytechnique was meant to make you uncomfortable and it did that very, very well. What bothered me about it was the characterizations in the movie. I felt that all the men were painted with the same brush and that the way in which they chose to present the events – through the fictional choices they made – didn’t seem to have any point and so, it wasn’t my favorite Canadian movie recently. That said, it made me very very angry and, well, that was what it was supposed to do, so I suppose it was a success.
.-= Trista´s last blog post ..Canada Day Top 10 =-.
Oh, The Rocket is such a good movie – I hope you enjoy it Trista. Surprized only see 1 Guy Maddin film kicking around on the lists with Saddest Music in the World. What a spectacular film.
I’m not sure if I could narrow down fave Canadian films to just 10. The Sweet Hereafter is fantastic and quintessentially Canadian, as is Away From Her. Also enjoyed Eve & the Fire Horse which is a great kid/sibling film and Maelstrom which was not easy but certainly had it’s own sense of beauty. So many great films!
.-= Shannon the Movie Moxie´s last blog post ..TIFF’09 – First Set of Film Titles Released and New Programme: City to City =-.
Is that maybe because Guy Maddin makes really inaccessible movies? Maybe. They’re great, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not for everyone and so it actually doesn’t surprise me that he’s not on everyone’s lists.
As for The Rocket, I totally will enjoy – when I get there. I really do love me some Roy Dupuis…
But Shannon… there’s 4 right there!
Wow, I wouldn’t have thought of Maddin’s films as inaccessible. I think of them as art and although they can be madness, they certainly are a clear vision – especially Saddest Music in the World and Brand Upon the Brain! Those feel really clear. It feels like if you come up with a Canadian list you have to have something him, and of course David Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan and Bruce McDonald at the very least.
.-= Shannon the Movie Moxie´s last blog post ..TIFF’09 Packages onsale to Visa Cardholders today at 10am =-.
And this is precisely why Maddin is such a valuable Canadian commodity – he makes very good movies that are bound to start a conversation, one way or the other.
Speaking about Maddin, I’ve only seen “The Saddest Music in the World”. I personally don’t think Maddin entertains me as much as David Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan or Bruce McDonald, just to name a few. Now, don’t misconstrue my thoughts: I found “The Saddest Music in the World” quite good given he came up with a story that I didn’t expect to see (i.e. people trying to find the “saddest” music in the world).
.-= Anh Khoi Do´s last blog post ..Apollo 13 =-.
Don McKellar is the most thought provoking while be accessable of the Canadian directors/writers. His work is brilliant and not just married to one medium. He has successfully conquered film, TV and Broadway. If you have not seen his work, I highly recommend it. On my list was 2 of his films, Last Night which he wrote, directed and stared in and the Red Violin which he co-wrote and acted in. His earliest work is Highway 61- a fantastic film.
Thanks for this Elana. Sometimes I forget to toot Mr. McKellar’s work. I credit him directly for igniting my passionate love of film. When I was a teenager I went to see Last Night at a rep theatre in London (to impress a boy) and I was so startled by the power of that filmmaking that I just gleaned to the process immediately. I had the opportunity to meet him in April and I told him so. He’s just a guy, who happens to be brilliant, and who happens to love his work – and his country. Love, love, love.