10film studies

Week Ten

Canadian Auteurs and National CinemaFeature: You decide

Film Studies -- Oh, Yeah Canada!

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

“Canada’s tradition grew out of an institution and a socialist-minded idea, nurtured by the “National Film Board” of showing Canadians honest reflections of themselves.

The American, or Hollywood, film tradition began as a collective dream in the minds of several Jewish immigrants who were possessed by a desire to create pure fantasy and to reinvent the American Dream as an accessible, if entirely ethereal, ideal.”

From Weird Sex and Snowshoes, Katherine Monk

National Cinema, a crash course


In “National Cinema” theoretical perspective, we look for common motifs and patterns of meaning that explore the Canadian identity. … the risk in this is it might obscure diversity by leading to attempts to under-represent Canadian film that that does not conform to a pre-conceived notion of what Canadian identity.(Giannetti 328)

That’s why we also look at Canadian film under the lens of the “Auteur Theory.” (Authorship as artistic expression.)

National Cinema, a crash course


.Motifs of Canadian Film (from Katherine Monk, Weird Sex and Snowshoes)

Morality, Passion, Survival. “Creative non-victimhood.” (Monk 26)

Weird Sex, Snowscapes, Vast Landscapes, Survival guilt, (did I say weird/disfunctional sex?), Orphans, Fragmented narratives, Pluralism, Passive heroes, Potent women, Outsider stance.

Plus … being “Rooted in Realism.”

(Plus … we see the “usual suspects.”) QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Styles and Types (Modes) of Films

REALISM CLASSICISM FORMALISM

Documentary F I C T I O N Avant-Garde

Has Anyone Here Seen Canada Blinkety Blink

Mon Oncle Antoine Men With Brooms waydowntown

NB. These are not airtight categories and often overlap.

styles

Types (modes)

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What do we know about Zacharias Kanuk? From imdb.

Zacharias Kanuk — Auteur

Developed love of movies watching 16mm John Wayne films on Saturday nights at the local community center. Grew up in a sodhouse, one of six children of parents who hunted with dog sled and took care of the house in a 400-year-old survival culture devoid of money. Learned English beginning at age 9 when the Canadian government forced indigenous tribal children like him to attend parochial school, in Igloolik, the ancient locale of Atanarjuat. Has never shot film--only shoots digital video.He says the only training in filmmaking he has ever received was when he was shown how to recharge the battery on his camera.


1. Myths embody the common ideals and aspirations of a civilization.

2. According to Carl Jung, myths were developed to help societies deal with natural life processes through fictional intervention.

3. (Monk says) native mythology has more to teach us about our current reality, and about Canadian film, because women and the landscape are both central motifs. (Watch for these motifs.)

Monk, Chapter Three — The highly simplified version …

Aboriginal Mythologies and Expression


ATANARJUAT — The Fast Runner (Zacharias Kanuk, 2001).

Writing credits Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn Language: InuktitutGenre: Drama / FantasyPlot Outline: The telling of an Inuit legend of an evil spirit causing strife in the community and one warrior's endurance and battle of its menace.

Cast overview: Natar Ungalaaq .... AtanarjuatSylvia Ivalu .... AtuatPeter-Henry Arnatsiaq .... OkiLucy Tulugarjuk .... Puja

WHAT IS YOUR GUT FEELING ABOUT THE “CINEMATOGRAPHY” OF THE LANDSCAPE?



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Denys Arcand — Filmography

1. Invasions barbares, Les (2003) ... aka The Barbarian Invasions (International: English title)

2. Stardom (2000) ... aka 15 Moments (Canada: English title) ... aka Stardom (France) ... aka Stardom - Le culte de la célébrité (Canada: French title)

3. Love & Human Remains (1993) ... aka Amour et restes humains (Canada: French title

4. Jésus de Montréal (1989) ... aka Jesus of Montreal5. Déclin de l'empire américain, Le (1986) ... aka The Decline

of the American Empire (USA6. Réjeanne Padovani (1973)1 7. Québec: Duplessis et après... (1972) ... aka Québec:

Duplessis and After... (Canada: English title)


Les Invasions Barbares (Denys Arcand, 2003)

Writing credits Denys Arcand Genre: Drama / Comedy (more) Tagline: A provocative new comedy about

sex, friendship, and all other things that invade our lives.

Plot Summary: Having a difficult time accepting the reality of death and feeling regretful of his past, a man dying...

Cast overview, first billed only: Rémy Girard .... RémyStéphane Rousseau .... SébastienDorothée Berryman .... LouiseLouise Portal .... Diane

From imdb



http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000780/

http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Drama/

http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Comedy/

http://www.imdb.com/rg/title-tease/keywords/title/tt0338135/keywords






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Robert LaPage’s Directorial Filmography since 1985.

Robert Lepage — Auteur

1. La face cachée de la lune (2003) ... aka The Far Side of the Moon (International: English title)

2. Possible Worlds (2000) ... aka Mondes possibles (Canada: French title)

3. Nô (1998)4. Le Polygraphe (1997) ... aka Polygraph5. Le Confessionnal (1995) ... aka The

Confessional


La face cachee de la lune (The Far Side of the Moon) (Robert Lepage, 2001) 112 minutes

Writing credits Robert Lepage Genre: Drama

Plot Outline: After the death of his mother, a man tries to discover a meaning to his life, to the universe and to rebuild a relationship with the only family he has left: his brother. (Canada’s official nod for 2005 Oscars)Credited cast:Robert Lepage .... Phillippe/AndréCéline Bonnier .... NathalieAnne-Marie Cadieux.... MotherMarco Poulin … Carl



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David Cronenberg’s Directorial Filmography since 1981.

David Cronenberg — Auteur

1. London Fields (2006) (announced) 2. A History of Violence (2005) (post-production) 3. Spider (2002) 4. Camera (2000/I) 5. eXistenZ (1999) 6. Crash (1996/I) 7. M. Butterfly (1993) 8. Naked Lunch (1991)9. Dead Ringers (1988) 10. "Friday the 13th" (1987) TV Series (episode "Faith Healer") 11. The Fly (1986) 12. The Dead Zone (1983) 13. Videodrome (1983) 14. Scanners (1981) ... aka Telepathy 2000


eXistenZ (David Cronenberg, 1999) 97 minutes

Writing credits David Cronenberg DOP (Cinematographer): Peter Suschitzky Music: Howard ShoreGenre: Sci-Fi / Crime / Drama / Thriller (more) Tagline: Play it. Live it. Kill for it. Plot Outline: Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as a game designer who creates a virtual-reality game that taps into the players' minds. (more) Cast: Jennifer Jason Leigh .... Allegra GellerJude Law .... Ted PikulIan Holm .... Kiri VinokurWillem Dafoe .... GasDon McKellar .... Yevgeny Nouris



http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Sci-Fi/

http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Sci-Fi/

http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Crime/

http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Drama/

http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Thriller/


http://www.imdb.com/rg/title-tease/plotsummary/title/tt0120907/plotsummary







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Gary Burns’ Directorial Filmography since 1995.

Gary Burns — Auteur

1. Cool Money (2005) (TV)2. A Problem with Fear (2003) 3. My Life as a Movie (2003) 4. Waydowntown (2000) 5. Fuck Coke (1999)6. Kitchen Party (1997)7. The Suburbanators (1995)


Waydowntown (Gary Burns, 2000) 87 minutes

Waydowntown (2000) Directed byGary Burns Writing credits Gary Burns Genre: Comedy (more) Plot Outline: A group of young employees bet a month's salary, winner takes all, on who can last the longest without going outside. (more) Cast: Fab Filippo .... TomDon McKellar .... BradMarya Delver .... Sandra WestGordon Currie .... Curt SchwinJennifer Clement .... Vicki



http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Years/2000



http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Comedy/


http://www.imdb.com/rg/title-tease/plotsummary/title/tt0219405/plotsummary








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Atom Egoyan’s Directorial Filmography since 1994.

Atom Egoyan — Auteur


1. Where the Truth Lies (Post-Production)

2. Ararat (2002)

3. Diaspora (2001)

4. Krapp's Last Tape (2000) (TV)

5. The Line (2000)

6. Felicia's Journey (1999)

7. Bach Cello Suite #4: Sarabande (1997)

8. The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

9. A Portrait of Arshile (1995)

10. Exotica (1994)

EXOTICA (Atom Egoyan, 1994) (104 min)

Writer: Atom Egoyan

Tagline: In a world of temptation, obsession is the deadliest desire.

Plot Outline: The 'Exotica' is a nightclub on the outskirts of Toronto, where Eric, DJ and MC, watches nightly as his ex-girlfriend Christina performs

Cast: Francis … Bruce Greenwood Thomas … Don McKellarTracey … Sarah Polley Christina … Mia Kirshner



Hard Core Logo (Bruce McDonald, 1986)

Logline: 4 guys - 5 nights - 3000 miles - 764 gallons of gas - 987 bottles of beer - 3457 cigarettes - 1 last shot My Comment: “A cult classic that’s hard to rent because it’s always out.” (imdb)Cast overview: Hugh Dillon ....Joe DickCallum Keith Rennie ....Billy TallentJohn Pyper-Ferguson....John OxenbergerBernie Coulson.…Pipefitter

Supported by the Ontario Film Development Commission

Writing credits Don McKellar and François Girard

Genre: Drama / Romance / Mystery / MusicTagline: Passion Is Timeless Plot Outline: A red and perfect violin inspires

passion, making its way through three centuries over several owners and countries, eventually ending up at an auction where it may find a new owner.

Music Composer: John Corigliano (Academy Award winner for Altered States)

Cast overviewSamuel L. Jackson .... Charles Morritz

(Montréal)Sandra Oh .... Madame Ming (Montréal)Greta Scacchi .... Victoria Byrd (Oxford)Don McKellar .... Evan Williams (Montréal)

From imdb


The Red Violin (François Girard, 1998)

2 hours, 11 minutes

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