canadian actors and auteurs
DESCRIPTION
This is a student presentation from a University of Calgary Performance in Film and Videogames class.TRANSCRIPT
CANADIAN ACTORS AND AUTEURS
Sarah Yamamoto, Liora Fedorov, and Matt
Sinclair
WEIRD SEX AND SNOWSHOES
Book (2001): Katherine Monk
Documentary (2004): Jill Sharpe
Explores Canadian identity
within film culture and analyzes
the distinction of Canadian
movies from other cinemas
ALANIS OBOMSAWIN
“I get very excited whenever I
make a documentary. I love the
form because I’m very concerned
about educating people about
what’s going on. So much history
can be lost if no one tells the
story so that’s what I do. I tell the
stories”.
ALANIS OBOMSAWIN
Born in New Hampshire on August 31 1932, raised in Quebec
One of the most prolific Canadian filmmakers of Abenaki descent
Outstanding Canadian of the year in 1965
Lead an Aboriginal revolution of the arts through documentaries
In 1967, approached by National Film Board to be advisor on film
about Aboriginals
Directed first film in 1971: Christmas at Moose Factory
Made over 16 movies
ERNEST SHIPMAN
A Canadian director who
produced one of the most
successful Canadian pictures of
all time: Back to God’s Country
(1919)
His main creative force:
importance of women and the
landscape in Canadian film.
CANADIAN FILM FOCUS
Main focus: the landscape
Increased American control over production –
landscape continued to be central feature.
Landscape used in backdrops, generally serves as
a counterpoint to the character.
Landscape and photography work together
BRUCE MCDONALD
Born on May 28, 1959 in Kingston, Ontario
Director and Producer
Won $25000 for best Canadian feature at 1989 Toronto
International film festival
First Canadian film to show hipster chic style of Canada
Roadkill, Highway 61, Twitch City
https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw397jw4hPE&list=PLAAA
BDD9F145F5FA1
OPENING THE LENS
Peter Mettler – Picture of Light (1994)
Camera becomes a teacher all by itself
Travel far north to create high-art documentary and to
capture the northern lights (aurora borealis)
Due to extreme weather conditions and equipment failure
the documentary shifts to the subject of creating a film “a
film about a film”
“The movie is the landscape is the movie”
NEGATIVE THEORY
“Canadians show a marked preference for the
negative” • Margaret Atwood, Survival
Defined by what we are not, more so than what we
are survival mechanism we’ve developed over time
to distinguish ourselves from the monolithic
American nation next door
CANADIAN ACTORS AT HOME AND IN HOLLYWOOD
Oftentimes, Canadian actors are only recognized
once they have made it in Hollywood
It becomes difficult to distinguish Canadian actors
from American actors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nPh6Xb-WbE
WHICH ACTOR’S ARE CANADIAN?
CANADIAN ACTORS TRIVIA
2. Which of the following
movies was filmed in
Canada?
A. My Big Fat Greek
Wedding (2002)
B. Gladiator (2000)
C. Skyfall (2012)
D. Despicable Me (2010)
1. Which of the following
movies was Ryan
Gosling not featured in?
A. The Notebook (2004)
B. Drive (2011)
C. Dear John (2010)
D. Gangster Squad (2013)
DISCUSSION
Do you observe any differences between Canadian
and American actors/directors?
Are Canadian actors/directors being assimilated
into American film culture?
Why do you think Canadian films primary focus is
on landscape and nature?
THANK YOU!