Interest: Classics
Pour la suite du monde (For Those Who Will Follow)
In 1962, Michel Brault and a team of filmmakers travelled to the island to document the resumption of the practice decades after it had been abandoned, shedding light and wit on this “resourceful” tradition.
A balance of grace, humour, and up-close observation, Pour la suite du monde is known as a landmark achievement in documentary filmmaking and was screened at the Cannes film festival.
Directors
Michel Brault, Pierre Perrault
Writers
Michel Brault, Pierre Perrault
Producers
Jacques Bobet, Fernand Dansereau
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Classics, Environment, History
Original Language
French
Nobody Waved Good-bye
Peter (Kastner) is an 18-year-old growing up in 1960s suburban Toronto who is totally fed up with his parents’ middle-class lifestyle. He’s on the verge of finishing high school but the thought of a conventional life climbing the corporate ladder is unbearable.
Peter yearns to strike out on his own with his girlfriend Julie, but a life of petty crime and poor decisions looms. Told in stark black and white, this tale of teenage rebellion is timeless and relatable.
One of the National Film Board’s first narrative features, Nobody Waved Good-bye is a cinematic treasure and a true Canadian classic.
Director
Don Owen
Writer
Don Owen
Cast
Peter Kastner, Julie Biggs, Claude Rae, Charmion King
Producers
Tom Daly, Roman Kroitor, Don Owen
Genre
Drama
Interests
Classics, Family Relationships
Original Language
English
La vie heureuse de Léopold Z (The Merry Life of Léopold Z)
On Christmas Eve, a snow plow operator (Guy L’Ecuyer) in Montreal is suddenly called upon to work in an unexpected snowstorm which becomes a problem as he has not finished his Christmas shopping. Determined to get all his gifts while continuing to clear the roads, Léopold has a series of comedic misadventures that become increasingly ridiculous as his time begins to run short.
Originally commissioned as an NFB documentary about snow clearing, director Gilles Carle creatively reframed it as a narrative film to create a unique blend of documentary and direct cinema that also cheekily comments on contemporary social and political issues. It won the Best Feature prize at the 1965 Montreal International Film Festival.
Director
Gilles Carle
Writer
Gilles Carle
Cast
Guy L'Écuyer, Paul Hébert, Suzanne Valéry
Producer
Jacques Bobet
Genre
Comedy
Interest
Classics
Original Language
French
Sitting in Limbo
Boasting an infectious reggae score by Jimmy Cliff, the film was developed as part of the National Film Board’s Alternative Drama program, which placed non-professional actors in realistic situations. Issues including racism, poverty and teenage pregnancy are highlighted in what is also a very warm and pleasing film.
Sitting in Limbo achieved Honourable Mention for “its freshness and vitality” at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Director
John N. Smith
Smith’s credits include award-winning TV docudramas such as The Boys of St. Vincent, Dieppe and Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, as well as numerous feature films, including Dangerous Minds, A Cool Dry Place, Geraldine’s Fortune and Love & Savagery among others. Sitting in Limbo won the Best Canadian Feature Film award at TIFF 1986.
Writer
David Wilson
Cast
Pat Dillon, Fabian Gibbs, Sylvie Clarke
Producers
John N. Smith, David Wilson
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Classics, Discrimination, Global Experiences, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Goin’ Down the Road
Director
Donald Shebib
Writers
William Fruet, Donald Shebib
Cast
Doug McGrath, Paul Bradley, Jayne Eastwood, Cayle Chernin
Producer
Donald Shebib
Genre
Drama
Interest
Classics
Original Language
English
John and the Missus
But one obstinate miner (Pinsent) refuses to accept this fate — or the meagre government payout — and with the support of his “Missus” (Burroughs), decides to dig in his heels and stay behind in a seemingly futile attempt to save his town… and his home.
Unfolding slowly with deep affection for life in this remote town, John and the Missus is a true Canadian classic and features a tour-de-force performance from Pinsent, who won a Genie Award for the role."
Director
Gordon Pinsent
Writer
Gordon Pinsent
Cast
Gordon Pinsent, Jackie Burroughs, Roland Hewgill
Producers
Jonathon M.B. Hunter, Peter O'Brian
Genre
Drama
Interest
Classics
Original Language
English
La femme de l’hôtel (A Woman in Transit)
Truth may indeed be stranger than fiction in this intriguing drama by one of Canada’s best female filmmakers. Winner of two Genies and the Toronto International Film Festival’s Best Canadian Feature Film award, this intimate and emotional film is sure to captivate.
Director
Léa Pool
Pool has earned three Genie Award nominations for Best Direction. Her films include Emporte Moi, Mouvements du désir, Lost and Delirious, La dernière fugue and the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. Her recent films include the doc Double Sentence and the features La passion d'Augustine and Et au pire, on se mariera.
Writers
Michel Langlois, Léa Pool, Robert Gurick
Cast
Paule Baillargeon, Serge Dupire, Louise Marleau, Marthe Turgeon, Gilles Renaud
Producer
Bernadette Payeur
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Classics, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
French
The Great Toy Robbery
Director
Jeff Hale
Genre
Animation
Interest
Classics
Original Language
English
The Big Snit
Director
Richard Condie
Writer
Richard Condie
Producers
Richard Condie, Michael Scott
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Drama
Interests
Classics, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
The Cat Came Back
Director
Cordell Barker
Writer
Cordell Barker
Cast
Richard Condie
Producers
Cordell Barker, Richard Condie
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Family
Interest
Classics
Original Languages
English, French