written by: Sherry Ann Zwetsloot

Social Media Intern written on: March 14, 2013 Categories: Moving Images (Film)

MEDIA / ENTERTAINMENT / CULTURE

Do we need to protect our Culture and our Canadian Film?

A summation of some of the classic Canadian films and its role towards our unique culture.

In this day and age, sovereignty should be at the forefront of each Canadian's agenda. What comes first, a distinct identity, or a strong nationalistic culture? Canadian culture is unique and not second rate. A nation must have control of its mass media to form and express its culture. Under the heading 'Civic Nationalism', Canada works toward the voluntary involvement of its citizens for a United Canada. Because of our colonial past, and diverse population, unity has not been easy. The Conservatives have struggled for a greater economic independence from the United States, the Liberals from Great Britain. To take it one step further the Liberals accused the Conservatives of being enemies of Canadian Sovereignty. Multinationalism in a country should comprise the right to express and exercise national identity and establish a movement to protect one's culture. America has ten times the population of Canada. Ironically enough, some of the greatest pop culture icons in the United States are actually Canadian. Superman, thought up by two Canadians, William Shatner, the Captain of the famed show Star Trek and Nelly Furtado are just a few of the many Canadian's affectionately referred to as 'Canucks', and actually had an early hand in influencing the culture of our American brethren. At the Canadian Film Development Corporation ( CFDC ), a management change in 1978 changed the direction of the company placing emphasis on film as an industry. Producers were given priority over directors. In 1983, CFDC changed its name to Telefilm Canada reflecting new orientation. Regional Co-operatives trained young talent across Canada who remained committed to the concept of cultural cinema. In 1987, the Ontario Film Development Corporation was created. This provincial agency acted as a model for all other provinces to follow. We have filmmakers out of Toronto who have proved that a Canadian filmmaker could stay in Canada and still become a major player in the international scene. Our very own David Cronenberg produced more than just a handful of movies over the last 25 years. With Canadian made films like, Shivers (1975), Rabid (1976), The Brood (1979), Scanners (1980), VIDEOROME (1981), The Dead Zone (1983) with his hand in such

movies as 'The Fly' (1987), Naked Lunch (1991), M.Butterfly (1993), Crash (1996), and David's masterpiece production 'Dead Ringers' (1988). Another Canadian filmmaker who changed the idea of 'Canadian Made' is Phillip Borsos. After his production of ' The Gray Fox' (1982), Phillip restored pride in the industry and gave Canadian's the sense they could produce indigenous material of high quality. Our culture is a blend of worldwide influences, which make us more distinct and less influenced by our American counterparts to the south and west of us. The world will be influenced by each other globally, but most will retain whom they are. Canada is a distinct culture and has not waivered from who we are as a Nation. We protect our rights for diversity. We protect our attempts to maintain clean air, our excellent educational systems, our international healthcare, and our peacekeeping military, our strict gun controls and multiculturalism. Canadians are loved globally. We are a secular society. Our Canadian film industry has proven our strengths as a culture and society. Canadian editing, writing and production is everywhere in Hollywood and is not going to diminish any time soon. Canada is a distinct culture and has not waivered from who we are as a nation. When we have award winning producers, actors, directors and writers creating works like: 'The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz' (1974), 'Lies my father told me' (1975), 'Why shoot the teacher' (1976), 'Who has seen the Wind' (1977), we retain who we are. A major 'pro' to our sovereignty is cost is lower for making films and television in Canada. When combined with Provincial and Federal tax incentives, filming in Canada is very attractive for huge media conglomerates. I guess in a nutshell, we as Canadians win! @2013