Let the list-fests begin. Since Row Three has a Canadian majority on the writing staff, why not begin with something from our frozen wastelands. ‘Canada’s Top 10′ was established a few years ago by the Toronto International Film Festival Group to more or less act as a way to issue press release that yes (!) Canadians make films outside of Hollywood North American studio productions being filmed up here for tax purposes. What this means is that almost anything high-profile and Canadian (close to an oxymoron in cinema unfortunately) will make the list. Even the painfully unfunny Trailer Park Boys Movie made the grade last year (full disclosure, I’m a big fan of that show, so the movie was painfully disappointing in that it was poorer than even a bad TV episode, of which there were almost none.)
But I digress. Like good little non-confrontational Canucks, the moderators of this list chose not to number or prioritize the films. So you can sort out what deserves to be at the top. I nominate Guy Maddin‘s fabulously vitriolic, absurdist, surreal and downright hilarious My Winnipeg to just barely edge out David Cronenberg‘s Eastern Promises, but I’ve got to confess that I’ve only seen three films on the list (I’ll bet that will be 3 more than your average Canadian though). Both Marina and myself are big fans of Bruce McDonanld‘s experimental split-screen Into The Night type film, The Tracey Fragments, that stars future A-list actress Ellen Page (To show how incestuous our film industry is, it is noteworthy that young Miss Page got her start on TV’s Trailer Park Boys mentioned above.
Also, a huge shout out to Madame Tutli-Putli on the short films list, which is a must see for lovers of existential surrealism and stop motion animation. The two directors (Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski) responsible for this gorgeous 17 minute short film (Available for purchase from the National Film Board if you have a Canadian shipping address). With a single film, they have joined the ranks with Jan Svankmajer, Henry Selick and The Brothers Quay in terms of groundbreakingly good stop-motion.
Without further digression, here are the Top 10 Lists for Features and Shorts:
Feature Films
* L’Âge des Ténèbres – Denys Arcand
* Amal – Richie Mehta
* Continental, Un Film Sans Fusil – Stéphane Lafleur
* Eastern Promises – David Cronenberg
* Fugitive Pieces – Jeremy Podeswa
* My Winnipeg – Guy Maddin
* A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman – Peter Raymont
* The Tracey Fragments – Bruce McDonald
* Up The Yangtze – Yung Chang
* Young People Fucking – Martin Gero
Short Films
* Code 13 – Mathieu L. Denis
* The Colony – Jeff Barnaby
* Dust Bowl Ha! Ha! – Sébastien Pilote
* Farmer’s Requiem – Ramses Madina
* Les Grands – Chloé Leriche
* I Have Seen the Future – Cam Christiansen
* I Met the Walrus – Josh Raskin
* Madame Tutli-Putli – Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski
* POOL – Chris Chong Chan Fui
* Terminus – Trevor Cawood
I prefer Arcand’s Decline of the American Empire, watched it again recently and it is such a nasty little film.
The movie that sticks out for me as high calibre Canadian is Egoyan’s The Sweet Hereafter. Ian Holm’s character, the story about the spider, ah, so good.
I refuse to watch anything more by Podeswa, his direction irks me to no end.
Rather sadly, especially considering how good the year has been to me film wise, I’ve only seen 2 of the films on the feature list and one on the short list. Even sadder is that there are two films on the feature list (“Amal” and “Continental, Un Film Sans Fusil”) which I’ve never even heard of.
I’m hoping the continued success of groups like The First Weekend Club (if you’re Canadian and not a member, what on earth are you waiting for? Head on over and join the mailing list), will continue to raise the profile of Canadian film throughout the country. I’ve noticed a significant influx of Canadian movies making their way to the west coast, probably thanks to groups like this one, and I hope that this continues into the new year.
Looking forward to catching a few of the others on the list, including Arcand’s film, “Young People Fucking” and “My Winnipeg” in the new year.
I am a bit confused by this list, doesn’t it seem a bit strange that the best Canadian films are largely from this year? Is this your list Kurt, or by TIFF? If by TIFF it seems a bit self-promoting, with a slight amnesia of films past, to over-emphasize this year to bring home the point of TIFF’s significance in showing the best films.
I would also add Red Violin to the list
@rot
Yes, this is THIS YEAR’S top ten.
Tracey Fragments intrigues me; if only for the interesting, multi-pane approach at telling a story. And though I haven’t even seen Juno yet (free screenings tonight!), Ellen Page is already at the top of my favorite actress list (from only seeing Hard Candy and the trailers for Juno and TF).
I’m also looking forward to catching up with Guy Maddin at some point. “Brand Upon the Brain” specifically.
Most of these other titles are, if you’ll excuse the term, foreign, to me. Other than Cronenberg’s EP, I haven’t seen any of these. I’ll see right now what’s available at Blockbuster.
Fixed the title to avoid confusion. Yes, the TIFFG has been doing this for each year since about 2001.
I’m down with you on THE SWEET HEREAFTER, the entire cast of that film is so good that it can overcome some of the more obvious screenplay-y moments (i.e. the pied piper reading at one point in the film). I love the Ian Holm / daughter thread. it’s excellent. The actress who plays the bus driver is spectacular too. The SWEET HEREAFTER is on of my favorite all time films, Canadian or otherwise.
Gotta love Sarah Polley’s rendition of The Tragically Hip’s “Courage” on the soundtrack too.
but don’t you think a top ten per year of Canadian films inevitably leads to a scraping of the bottom of the barrel… maybe top three… I just do not think the Canadian industry is putting that many exceptional films to justify ten.
Yes to a degree. See my “Trailer Park Boys Movie” comment in the above post.
totally with you on Trailer Park Boys… loved the tv show, and found the film underwhelming
real lists are numbered. Also they forgot bon cop, bad cop.
Bon Cop Bad Cop is from 2006.
Bon Cop, Bad Cop (which is a mighty fine loving-parody in the same vein as HOT FUZZ) was recognized last year I believe.
I was just joking about bon cop, bad cop. it was not a very funny joke.
that still looks great. Is that My Winnipeg?
I’m so glad My Winnipeg is on the list – it’s a fantastic film (if you’ve not seen any Guy Maddin yet, substitute fantastic for bizarre for the time being).
It is sad that only 2 of the films came out in regular theatres in Toronto this year (Eastern Promises and The Tracey Fragments – and that was only at The Royal), but at least 8 were at TIFF.
I actually saw 4/10 + 1 of the shorts, which is much better than I did last year. I look forward to having the opportunity to see the rest of them.
That still is from Guy Maddins My Winnipeg. It is a great film, and by Guy Maddins standards one of his least bizarre. In the Vancouver film fest catalogue, the movie was descibed as Guy Madiins most accesible film to date. IF you have watched Tales from Gimli Hospital, Winnipeg is a very easy watch! I got a lot out of this film, and I have never been to Winnipeg (although I have been to Gimli). I am sure if your from Manitoba and especially Winnipeg, you’d get a lot more of the jokes. Plus Ann Savage plays Guy Maddins Mom (the all seeing eye). Shiny
Gimli Hospital was whacked. That movie seriously fucked with my head. The whole fish thing….
But I *heart* “Brand Upon the Brain”. That was totally morbid but really quite funny as well.
I still am confused why approx. 5 minutes of that film was in magenta, and 1 minute was in emerald green. I am cutting out a bark fish just for you marina!
Canadians make movies? Who knew?
The short Madame Tutli-Putli kinda gave me that umpah Lumpah vibe. Creepy, and wierd! I will admit the chess match happening on top of the luggage stack was a very cool idea. Sadly its the only short on the list I saw this year. I was too busy watching features at VIFF to see any of the animated collections the showed.
Keep your bloody bark fish. I have no interest in it what-so-ever.
they forgot bon cop, bad cop.
I had the opportunity to interview Guy Maddin at this years TIFF for those interested, the transcript is here
The thing in Gimli that always cracks me up is the wedgie fight slash buttock wrastlin’ at the end. oi!