Grade: Grade 10
Canada: A People’s History
Dramatic and gripping, this popular series illustrates pivotal moments in Canada’s history, bringing a compelling intimacy to grand, historic developments. From the stories passed down through oral tradition to the first encounters between Indigenous peoples and Europeans, through the battles that engulfed the continent and the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, to the modern era of feminism, multiculturalism and globalization, this captivating series brings to life the moments that have shaped our nation, telling Canada’s story through the eyes of the people who lived it.
Canada: A People’s History won the Gemini Award for Best Documentary Series and attracted over 14 million viewers. It is a collaborative production between the CBC and Radio-Canada and is available in both English and French.
Students can explore Canadian history further by delving into the series’ award-winning website (www.cbc.ca/history), which features behind-the-scenes footage, games, puzzles, lesson plans and links to other historical resources.
Each 105 minute episode is made up of several 10-to-15-minute segments, which can be shown independently. For a more detailed breakdown of the topics covered in each episode, please see www.cbc.ca/history.
SERIES 1: 15,000 B.C. to 1800 A.D. For centuries, the territory now known as Canada is home to over 50 Indigenous nations, each with unique traditions and culture. In the 16th century, European explorers arrive, creating Canada’s first colonies, and forever changing the landscape and the lives of the First Peoples.
SERIES 2: 1670 to 1873 By the 1800s, British exploration opens the West to settlement, laying the foundation of a new nation, but also displacing and devastating Indigenous inhabitants. Confederation soon follows, with the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.
SERIES 3: 1873 to 1940 Canada’s early years are fraught with economic depression, rebellions and tension between English- and French-speaking Canadians. Immigration, rapid growth and sociopolitical change follow, ending abruptly with World War II, a pivotal moment in Canada’s quest for autonomy that comes at the enormous cost of 60,000 lives.
SERIES 4: 1940 to 1990 The end of the Great Depression and the flames and ravages of World War II give way to a new era of peace, progress and prosperity, as well as free trade, globalization, feminism, Indigenous land claims, multiculturalism, Québec nationalism and the explosion of computer technology.
Directors
Writers
Hubert Gendron, Mark Starowicz, Gene Allen
Producer
Mark Starowicz
Genre
Documentary
Interests
History, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
English, French
Future History
Beautifully shot and packed with powerful interviews, Future History celebrates and explores diverse Indigenous perspectives to create a deeper understanding of our shared history as well as a positive path forward. It is a journey that can’t be missed.
Each 21-minute episode can be viewed independently, or you can watch it as a complete series. Contact us for specific programming recommendations.
Directors
Jennifer Podemski (Anishinaabe, Leni Lenape, Métis)
Podemski is an award-winning film and television producer and actor. She produced and starred in Empire of Dirt, is the creator and producer of APTN’s The Other Side, and most recently produced and directed the series Unsettled.
Nyla Innuksuk (Inuk)
Innuksuk is a director, writer, producer, and VR creator. She co-created the Inuk character Snowguard with Marvel and has written several short films and documentaries. Her first feature was Slash/Back, released in 2022.
Writer
Tamara Podemski (Anishinaabe)
Cast
Kris Nahrgang (Anishinaabe/Ojibwe), Sarain Fox (Anishinaabe)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Breaths
Director
Nyla Innuksuk (Inuk)
Innuksuk is a director, writer, producer, and VR creator. She co-created the Inuk character Snowguard with Marvel and has written several short films and documentaries. Her first feature was Slash/Back, released in 2022.
Genre
Documentary
Interest
Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
The Red Violin
As the auction proceeds, the violin’s history is revealed through four interconnected tales spanning 300 years. And as it passes through the hands of musicians in Italy, Vienna, London and Shanghai, the violin fills its owners’ lives with romance, adventure, intrigue and tragedy. At the centre of the story is the instrument’s dark secret, which is revealed only at the film’s suspenseful finale.
“In a time of timid projects and easy formulas, The Red Violin has the kind of sweep and vision that we identify with elegant features from decades ago.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Director
François Girard
Girard won a Grammy for Secret World Live, a Peter Gabriel concert film. Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould won four Genie Awards, including Best Picture. The Red Violin won eight Genies and an Oscar for Best Original Score. His recent films include Boychoir, starring Dustin Hoffman, and Hochelaga terre des âmes, which was nominated for eight CSAs, winning four. His latest, The Song of Names, premiered at TIFF 2019.
Writers
Don McKellar, François Girard
Cast
Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Flemyng, Colm Feore, Greta Sacchi, Sylvia Chang
Producer
Niv Fichman
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, History
Original Language
English
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire
Dallaire attempted to stop the killing by alerting the world through the United Nations and the international media. Though his attempts were unsuccessful, Dallaire emerged as a hero. Ten years later, Dallaire returns to Rwanda to personally commemorate the anniversary of that holocaust.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005.
“Dallaire is not only the protagonist of Shake Hands with the Devil, he is a compelling reason to see it.” — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Director
Peter Raymont
Raymont has produced and directed over 100 documentaries, which have earned more than 50 international awards. His producing credits include West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson, Guantanamo’s Child: Omar Khadr and Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band. He recently directed the doc Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power, and produced Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On, which premiered at TIFF 2022.
Writer
Roméo Dallaire
Producers
Linda Lee Tracey, Peter Raymont
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, Discrimination, Global Experiences, History, Literary Adaptation, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
The Carter Effect
Get ready to feel the “Vinsanity” with this unprecedented look at Vince Carter, the six-foot-six, eight-time NBA All-Star who made waves in Canadian basketball when he joined the Raptors in 1998. This engrossing doc chronicles his role in building the team’s profile and planting Toronto firmly on the world map.
Featuring appearances from Steve Nash, Director X, Mona Halem and Drake, as well as interviews with Carter himself, the film illuminates the thrill of the game and the complexity of the basketball industry.
An entertaining homage to a sports legend, and a love letter to Canada’s largest city, The Carter Effect captures the intoxicating mix of civic pride, music and diversity that makes Toronto so unique. The Carter Effect was nominated for Best Documentary at the Cleveland International Film Festival.
Director
Sean Menard
Documentary filmmaker Menard has directed and produced several sports docs, including On the Line, The Perfect Storm: Story of the 1994 Montreal Expos and Exceptional Status. His first feature-length doc was Fight Mom. Most recently, he directed episodes of Sole Origins, and UFC 25 Years in Short.
Cast
Vince Carter, Drake, David Stern
Producers
Drake, LeBron James, Maverick Carter
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, History, Sports
Original Language
English
Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story
If you’ve ever watched the Toronto Raptors, chances are you’ve seen Nav Bhatia (aka the “Raptors Superfan”), stationed in the seat he’s sat in for every home game in the franchise’s history. Superfan explores how Nav found a home in Toronto, fell in love with the Raptors, and grew to be so beloved that he became the first fan ever to receive an NBA championship ring, as part of the 2019 championship Raptors team.
Featuring interviews with comedian Russell Peters, Vince Carter, Isiah Thomas, and Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, this compelling doc tells Nav’s inspiring story of perseverance, passion, overcoming adversity and ultimately finding success and joy.
Director
Amar Wala
Amar Wala is an award-winning Toronto-based filmmaker and alumni of York University’s Film Program. His debut feature The Secret Trial 5 earned him jury recognition as an Emerging Filmmaker at Hot Docs and was named as one of the Top Ten Docs of the Decade by Realscreen. Wala has also directed and produced award-winning television series such as the acclaimed CBC Arts program In The Making and the award-winning comedy series Next Stop.
Cast
Nav Bhatia
Producers
Vinay Virmani, Rinku Ghei
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Sports
Original Language
English
Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World Of Ben Ferencz
The fascinating story of Ben Ferencz, a 98-year-old lawyer and last surviving prosecutor of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials after World War Two.
Ferencz grew up in New York, where he became a lawyer before enlisting in the Army. After seeing Nazi concentration camps first hand after liberation, then 27-year-old Ferencz became the lead prosecutor in what has been called the biggest murder trial in history. He went on to advocate for restitution for Jewish victims of the Holocaust and for the establishment of the International Criminal Court. His inspiring fight for justice continues today.
Directed with sensitivity and empathy, Prosecuting Evil sheds light on atrocities that should never be forgotten, and asks tough questions about the world we live in today.
Director
Barry Avrich
Prolific producer, director, and writer Avrich has made many acclaimed documentaries including The Last Mogul, Show Stopper: The Theatrical Life of Garth Drabinsky and David Foster: Off the Record, and the recent Oscar Peterson: Black + White. Avrich has also authored three books, and produced and directed several film adaptations of theatrical productions. He is currently working on 2022 doc The Talented Mr. Rosenberg.
Writer
Barry Avrich
Cast
Benjamin Ferencz, Alan Dershowitz
Producers
Patrice Theroux, Caitlin Cheddie
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, History, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage
Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with some of rock’s greatest artists, this documentary explores the long career of these Canadian musical heroes.
Directors
Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen
Writers
Scot McFadyen, Sam Dunn, Mike Munn
Producers
Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, History
Original Language
English
This poignant documentary explores what Martin Luther King Jr. called “love in action,” searching for the meaning and importance of the love of humanity and of the planet.
…the photography is beautiful, the scenes of crowds and their signs arresting, and the interviews with individual protesters — in Tahrir Square, Zuccotti Park, tear-gassed Oakland, and even melting Greenland — are often inspiring.” — Alan Scherstuhl, The Village Voice
Director
Velcrow Ripper
Writer
Velcrow Ripper
Producers
Ian Mackenzie, Nova Ami, Velcrow Ripper
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Environment, Global Experiences, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English