150 CANADIAN FILMS MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA Dear Friends: I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to Canadians on National Canadian Film Day, a Canada 150 Signature Project, presented by REEL CANADA. This one-day event connects Canadians from sea to sea to celebrate the achievements of Canadian filmmakers. The film festival is one of many cultural projects during the Sesquicentennial year that will help build a sense of pride in and attachment to everything our remarkable country represents. National Canadian Film Day focuses on discovery, with opportunities to view culturally diverse Canadian films on television, online and in theatres large and small across the country. I would like to commend REEL CANADA for coordinating this exciting celebration of homegrown film excellence and I encourage everyone to get involved. With so many works to choose from, and an audience eager to explore the best of Canada’s rich film history, National Canadian Film Day is sure to be a resounding success. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable experience. Justin P.J. Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF CANADIAN HERITAGE As we kick off the 150th anniversary of Confederation, we want to support projects that inspire national pride and strengthen the bonds between citizens from coast to coast to coast. This is why we are pleased to support REEL CANADA and its National Canadian Film Day 150. As part of this activity, Canadian audiences will be able to enjoy — through a variety of platforms —works created by the talented craftspeople of Canada’s film industry. This is a wonderful way to showcase the richness and diversity of Canadian cinema and to discover films of the highest quality. As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I thank REEL CANADA for the remarkable work it is doing. The Honourable Mélanie Joly Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly Minister of Canadian Heritage 150 films PDF for print.indd 2 2017-01-24 3:42 PM 150 CANADIAN FILMS LEGEND Denotes films that were produced by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). Denotes films that are also featured as part of Canada on Screen, a year-long programme co-produced by TIFF, Library and Archives Canada, the Cinémathèque québécoise, and The Cinematheque in Vancouver. WANT TO SEE MORE? If you’re hungry for even more Canadian cinema, check out REEL CANADA’s catalogue at www.reelcanada.ca. You can also take a look at the Canada on Screen programming at www.tiff.net/canadaonscreen or the NFB’s website at www.nfb.ca for additional treasure troves of Canadian films. 150 films PDF for print.indd 1 2017-01-24 3:42 PM INTRODUCTION In honour of Canada’s sesquicentennial and National Canadian Film Day 150 NCFD( 150), REEL CANADA presents 150 Canadian Films – a list of great Canadian films for all tastes. First of all, it’s important to explain what this collection is not: • It’s not a “Best Ever” list. • It’s not an “Essential Viewing” list • It’s not the definitive “Great Canadian Films” list What it is: • It’s a collection of films that reflects the vast range of the stories we tell – with examples in every genre. If you like movies, there is something on this list for you. • It’s a list of films that come from coast to coast to coast: Movies are not just made in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. They are made everywhere in this country and they show who we are and where we live. • It’s a list of films that are available. Since we have not always treasured our cinematic gems, some of the great ones are sadly difficult, if not impossible, to find. Every one of these 150 films can actually be seen and we can tell you where to find them. • It’s a place to start. If you aren’t that familiar with Canadian films, this list is for you. And if you are already a Canadian film buff, this is a reminder of films you’ve loved and would like to see again, or films you’ve always meant to see but didn’t know where to find. NCFD 150 is a chance to join with people all across the country in a celebration of who we are. It is often said that films are our dreams made visible. They are also our dreams made “shareable”: We can enjoy them together and learn about each other and ourselves at the same time. We know that the rich cinematic history of our nation goes beyond 150 films, just as the rich history of this land goes beyond 150 years. We hope this list opens the door to an exploration of all our histories. And anything that sparks a celebration of all that we’ve achieved and everything we aspire to is an opportunity we should embrace. We hope you’ll enjoy the 150 Canadian Films listed here. We also hope you will argue about them. Which of your favourites did we miss? Tweet us at @CanFilmDay and let us know. There is a whole world of amazing movies out there to discover. Grab a bag of popcorn and settle in. The show is about to begin! Sharon Corder, Artistic Director Presented by: 150 films PDF for print.indd 2 2017-01-24 3:42 PM 150 CANADIAN FILMS INTRODUCTION In honour of Canada’s sesquicentennial and National Canadian Film Day 150 NCFD( 150), REEL CANADA presents 150 Canadian Films – a list of great Canadian films for all tastes. First of all, it’s important to explain what this collection is not: • It’s not a “Best Ever” list. • It’s not an “Essential Viewing” list • It’s not the definitive “Great Canadian Films” list What it is: • It’s a collection of films that reflects the vast range of the stories we tell – with examples in every genre. If you like movies, there is something on this list for you. ANGRY INUK ANNE OF GREEN GABLES THE APPRENTICESHIP OF • It’s a list of films that come from coast to coast to coast: Movies are not just made in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. They are made everywhere in this (2016) Director/Writer: Alethea Arnaquq-Baril. (1985) Director: Kevin Sullivan. Screenwriters: Kevin DUDDY KRAVITZ country and they show who we are and where we live. 85 minutes. Sullivan, Joe Wiesenfeld. Starring: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth, Jonathan (1974) Director: Ted Kotcheff. Screenwriter: Lionel • It’s a list of films that are available. Since we have not always treasured our cinematic gems, some of the great ones are sadly difficult, if not impossible, to We all know about the terrible “brutality” of the Arctic Crombie. 199 minutes. (English, French) Chetwynd. Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Micheline find. Every one of these 150 films can actually be seen and we can tell you where to find them. seal hunt — or do we? Turns out there are other sides Lanctôt, Jack Warden, Randy Quaid. 120 minutes. th • It’s a place to start. If you aren’t that familiar with Canadian films, this list is for you. And if you are already a Canadian film buff, this is a reminder of films to this story: it's the story of families that need to be On turn-of-the-20 -century Prince Edward Island, Based on Mordecai Richler’s beloved novel, the film you’ve loved and would like to see again, or films you’ve always meant to see but didn’t know where to find. fed, the story of a hunting practice that began centuries siblings Matthew (Farnsworth) and Marilla Cuthbert ago and the story of a tradition that is central to the (Dewhurst) decide to take in an orphaned boy to help charts the rise of young Duddy Kravitz (Dreyfuss), economy and food security of Inuit communities in the them on their farm. Instead, they get freckle-faced, a brash, working-class Jewish kid from Montreal, NCFD 150 is a chance to join with people all across the country in a celebration of who we are. It is often said that films are our dreams made visible. They are determined to make a name for himself — no matter also our dreams made “shareable”: We can enjoy them together and learn about each other and ourselves at the same time. Canadian Arctic. Angry Inuk contains a story that’s over red-haired Anne Shirley (Follows). The stubborn and 4,000 years old. outspoken 11-year-old girl’s fiery spirit and imagination what it takes. Taking to heart his grandfather’s advice are sure to turn life upside down on the peaceful island that “a man without land is nothing,” Duddy gets We know that the rich cinematic history of our nation goes beyond 150 films, just as the rich history of this land goes beyond 150 years. We hope this list The seal hunt is not exactly a laughing matter, but and add a lot of love into the Cuthberts’ lives. involved in a series of get-rich-quick schemes in order opens the door to an exploration of all our histories. And anything that sparks a celebration of all that we’ve achieved and everything we aspire to is an humour and technical savvy go a long way to debunk to purchase a lakeshore property in the Laurentian opportunity we should embrace. certain claims. Wryly tackling both misinformation So begins Anne of Green Gables, one of the most mountains.