Being Canadian
Being Canadian | |
---|---|
Directed by | Robert Cohen |
Written by | Robert Cohen |
Produced by |
|
Cinematography | Megan Raney Aarons |
Edited by | Becky Hunter |
Music by | Craig Northey Scott Hard |
Distributed by |
|
Release dates |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
Country | Canada |
Language | English |
Budget | $195,000 |
Being Canadian is a 2015
The film premiered in Canada at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto on 26 April 2015. Its US premiere in New York City on 18 September 2015 launched the Canada Cool film tour, which was sponsored by Telefilm Canada and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Critical response to the film was mixed; while some critics said it is an entertainingly patriotic love letter to Canada, others said it fails to provide a fresh perspective or meaningful answers to the questions it asks. The Writers Guild of America nominated the film for a Best Documentary Screenplay award.
Premise
Comedy writer Robert Cohen returns to Canada and sets out to find answers about Canadian identity,[1] and the stereotypes and ignorance he encountered while living abroad. Cohen interviews several dozen Canadians and a few Americans, most of whom are comedians,[2] posing questions he had frequently been asked. The interviews are interspersed with footage of a road trip in which Cohen travels across Canada after having spent most of his adult life working in the United States and aims to find answers and dispel misconceptions before arriving in Vancouver for Canada Day celebrations.[3]
Interviews
Cohen conducted over 100 interviews for the film.[4] Unless otherwise indicated, the interviewees are comedians. He also conducted brief, on-the-street interviews with the public in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, and India.
Canadians, in order of appearance:
- Dan Aykroyd[5]
- Howie Mandel[5]
- Rush:[5]
- Geddy Lee, musician
- Neil Peart, musician
- Alex Lifeson, musician
- Eugene Levy[5]
- Will Arnett[5]
- Caroline Rhea
- Morley Safer, journalist[3]
- Seth Rogen[5]
- Cobie Smulders[2]
- Ann Luu, news anchor
- Tanya Memme, former Miss World Canada
- Martin Short[5]
- Jason Priestley[5]
- Catherine O'Hara[2]
- Michael J. Fox[5]
- Joel H. Cohen, sitcom writer
- Tim Long, sitcom writer
- Dan Signer, sitcom writer
- Chuck Tatham, sitcom writer
- George Stroumboulopoulos, TV host
- Alanis Morissette, singer-songwriter[2]
- Kim Campbell, former prime minister[6]
- Dave Foley[2]
- Mike Myers[5]
- David Steinberg[2]
- Adrian Harewood, radio host
- Brigitte Gall
- Andrew Clark, professor
- Alan Thicke[7]
- Alex Trebek, TV host[2]
- Barenaked Ladies:[5]
- Steven Page, musician
- Tyler Stewart, musician
- Kevin Hearn, musician
- Ed Robertson, musician
- Russell Peters[6]
- Russell Keith Raney, rocket scientist
- Malcolm Gladwell, author
- The Trailer Park Boys (in character):[8]
- Julian
- Ricky LaFleur
- Mike Smith as Bubbles
- Fearless Fred, radio host
- Paul Shaffer, musician[4]
- Nathan Fillion[2]
- William Shatner, actor[2]
- Manisha Krishnan, journalist
- Linda Allan, etiquette expert
- Andrew Estabrooks, brewer
- Mike MacDonald
- SecwepemcNation
- Rich Little
- The Royal Canadian Air Farce
- Marc Thuet, chef
- Mary Bamford, nutritionist
- Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers
- Herbie Barnes
- Darrell Dennis
- Anton Leo, TV executive
- Mark Cohon, CFL commissioner
- Rick Mercer[6]
- Susie Patricola, Cohen's mother
- Marsha Berniker, psychotherapist
- Helga Stephenson, then-CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
Americans, in order of appearance:
Synopsis
The film opens with a brief mockumentary of Canadian Confederation, which filmmaker Robert Cohen says was met with indifference outside the country. Cohen then speaks about his childhood in Calgary, Alberta, and moving to Los Angeles, California, where he became a television sitcom writer. In his introduction, Cohen calls Being Canadian an attempt, through interviews with Canadians and foreigners while completing a cross-country road trip from 22 June to 1 July 2013, to explore the frustrating ignorance and stereotypes he encountered while living in the US.[5]
Outsider perceptions of Canada are illustrated with interviews and anecdotal evidence, such as the idea all Canadians live in igloos in a barren landscape.[3] Numerous Canadians who have worked in the US entertainment industry note their nationality was met with confusion or suspicion, which is likened to McCarthy-era paranoia of the invisible outsider.[4][10]
Canadian politeness and propensity to apologize is noted as a true
Crossing into Ontario, the weather suddenly changes and Canadians are shown taking this in their stride with ice skating, art displays, and fishing on the frozen
Canada's juxtaposition between the dominant British and American cultures is said to provide an outsider perspective for observational humour, satire and parody, with self-deprecating underdog characters and likeable troublemakers.After stopping in
Canadians' inferiority complex is discussed along with many Canadians' need to create validating comparisons. Cohen visits a psychotherapist as Canada,[2] a child of England and France with an awkward upbringing beside a noisy neighbour, and is told he cannot be happy defining himself with external comparisons. Cohen becomes depressed as he begins the final leg of his journey with no definitive answer about what it means to be Canadian.
While stopping due to a storm, Cohen's doubts about the project grow and he has a drunken vision of Wayne Gretzky, who tells Cohen to believe in Canada and persevere. He reaches Vancouver in time for Canada Day celebrations. While filming an enthusiastic and boisterous parade, Cohen realizes in his absence, Canada had grown into a confident, patriotic country that does not need to be defended by him or his film. With a renewed sense of pride, Cohen realizes there was no need for his insecurities, that modern-day Canada does not need outside recognition and that he can carry that identity with him.[3]
Development and production
In 2008, Cohen started collecting interviews without a firm plan for the assembled documentary.[5][b] In 2011 at Toronto's Humber College, Cohen spoke about the factors that allow Canada to produce a large number of comedians. His research on this issue raised personal questions about Canadian identity and the rest of the world's apparent lack of interest in the country.[4] Cohen was frustrated with perceptions of Canada and Canadians in the United States,[c][d] and sought to dispel stereotypes and ignorance.[3]
The documentary Sherman's March inspired Cohen for the film's structure, which follows a 10-day road trip from Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, to Vancouver, British Columbia.[17][14] Producers Colin Gray and Megan Raney Aarons (a.k.a. The Sibs) of Grainey Pictures said Cohen's project was "love at first sight" for them.[18] It was executive-produced by Michael Souther, Teza Lawrence and Michael LaFetra for Amaze Film + Television.[19]
Cohen had difficulty obtaining interviews with high-profile figures until he contacted friends Foley and Myers. The project then quickly built momentum as an increasing number of celebrities sought to be included.[12] Cohen stated Americans Griffin, O'Brien and Stiller were fascinated by the subject and wanted to be part of it when they learned of the Canadian celebrities who were participating.[5] Distributor Entertainment One was attracted to the project on the strength of media attention from the celebrity interviews.[18] Cohen then found months of editing were required to reduce 120 hours of interviews[12] into a finished, 89-minute film.[2][11] Some material that was not used in the film was provided to promotional sponsors and video-on-demand (VOD) services as bonus footage.[18]
Financing
The core production team, who worked on deferred payment, initially self-financed Being Canadian. Funding from Telefilm Canada was uncertain because although the film was created by Canadians and is about being Canadian, the funding body questioned whether it was Canadian enough.[4] This was because the Californian location of Grainey Pictures, the production company of Canadians Gray and Aarons, technically makes the film a US-Canada co-production.[18] Telefilm later provided financing for the film.[20]
The production conducted public fundraising on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo[4] from 17 May 2013, raising $12,000 in the first fortnight towards a goal of $95,000.[21]
Release
Cohen had hoped to release Being Canadian at the September 2013
Candy Factory Films acquired the US and worldwide distribution rights at the Hot Docs festival.[19][23] The US release of Being Canadian was originally planned for 1 July – Canada Day.[18] Instead, the film had its US theatrical premiere on 18 September 2015 at Cinema Village in New York City, launching Telefilm Canada's Canada Cool exhibition tour in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).[24][e] On the same day, Being Canadian was released on VOD in the US.[19][25]
Being Canadian had its television premiere on
Reception
Critical response
Frank Scheck of
Laurence Kardish, curator emeritus of MoMA, said Being Canadian has "ambitious originality".
Award nomination
The Writers Guild of America nominated Being Canadian for Best Documentary Screenplay at their 68th annual awards in 2016.[32][33]
See also
Footnotes
Notes
- ^ In one of the film's more blatant parodies of misconceptions about Canada, Ottawa is shown to be frozen-over in June (when average low temperatures are about 11 °C [52 °F] and the record low is 3.5 °C [38.3 °F][15]). Scenes of the Winterlude festival on the 7.8-kilometre (4.8 mi) Rideau Canal Skateway are depicted as normal, everyday, summertime activities in Canadian cities.[14][13]
- ^ One of Cohen's first interviews was with The Barenaked Ladies, before a concert in Los Angeles, prior to Steven Page's departure from the group in early 2009.[17][5] Conan O'Brien's interview was conducted on the set of Late Night in February 2009 or earlier.[9]
- ^ While Cohen was on a family vacation in Hawaii, local shops offered free donuts to Canadians for their country's role in the Iran hostage crisis. Cohen and his brothers tried to take up a shop's offer but were refused as the owner thought Canadians wear furs and have blue skin with icicles hanging from their faces.[4]
- ^ While moving to Los Angeles, Cohen was given a traffic ticket by a law enforcement officer who refused to acknowledge the existence of Alberta, as indicated on his licence plates, and wrote he was from "Atlantis".[3]
- ^ The Canada Cool tour replaced the Canada Front showcase at the Museum of Modern Art.[20]
References
- ^ a b Ravindran, Manori (25 February 2015). "Being Canadian, Bolivian Case to have world premieres at Hot Docs". Playback. Toronto, Ontario: Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Scheck, Frank (18 September 2015). "'Being Canadian': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Snierson, Dan (13 October 2015). "Being Canadian documentary features Mike Myers, Michael J. Fox, Rush, debunks stereotypes". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ahearn, Victoria (30 June 2013). "What does "Being Canadian" mean to Canuck comedy writer Robert Cohen". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia: Postmedia Network Inc. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Ahearn, Victoria (23 April 2015). "'Being Canadian' doc recruits celebs as it explores what it means to be Canuck". CTV News. Toronto, Ontario: Bell Media. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d Howell, Peter (30 April 2015). "Hot Docs: Movies about comedy look for the universal laugh within the particular joke". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on 30 December 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b Wilner, Norman (6 May 2015). "Being Canadian". Now Magazine. Toronto, Ontario: NOW Communications Inc. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Hot Docs films to include look at Kurt Cobain, Canadian comedians". 680 News. Toronto, Ontario: Rogers Digital Media. The Canadian Press. 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d Ritchie, Matthew (25 April 2015). "Being Canadian Robert Cohen". Exclaim!. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c Marche, Stephen (18 September 2015). "What It Really Means to be Canadian". Esquire. New York City: Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ Point of View. Toronto, Ontario: Documentary Organization of Canada. Archivedfrom the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b c "Being Canadian director: 'I would never go to the "eh" well'". National Post. Toronto, Ontario: Postmedia Network Inc. Postmedia News. 27 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b c Berry, David (7 May 2015). "Being Canadian, reviewed: Observe and deport". National Post. Toronto, Ontario: Postmedia Network Inc. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b c Nayman, Adam (23 April 2015). "Into the Mild". The Walrus. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Raymond, Red (4 June 2019). "Coldest June in 55 years recorded in Ottawa". CTV News.
- ^ Labrecque, Jeff (27 August 2015). "Being Canadian documentary: The funniest country has an inferiority complex". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b Houpt, Simon (24 April 2015). "Rob Cohen on being Canadian, as only Canadians can be". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Dos Santos, Filipe (23 April 2015). "Building buzz for Being Canadian". Playback. Toronto, Ontario: Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ a b c Kilday, Gregg (24 June 2015). "'Being Canadian' Documentary Goes to Candy Factory Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b Pinto, Jordan (24 July 2015). "Telefilm launches 'Cool' film tour in U.S." Playback. Toronto, Ontario: Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Matt, Sylvain (31 May 2013). "Weekly roundup: Premieres, mentorship and financing news". Playback. Toronto, Ontario: Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Torontoist. Daily Hive Toronto. Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ Pinto, Jorden (26 June 2015). "Deals: PNP, MCE, 9 Story, Beyond". Playback. Toronto, Ontario: Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Screen Daily. Archivedfrom the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ Gates, Anita (13 September 2015). "Movie Listings for the Fall Season and Beyond". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ a b Yeo, Debra (13 December 2015). "TV Tonight, Dec. 13: The documentary Being Canadian". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "20th Anniversary Feature Film Program Announced!". Nantucket, Massachusetts: Nantucket Film Festival. 29 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ "2015 DocFest brochure" (PDF). Pembroke, Ontario: Valley Docfest. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ "Traverse City Film Festival – Being Canadian". Traverse City, Michigan: Traverse City Film Festival. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ Rechtshaffen, Michael (17 September 2015). "Being Canadian takes a light, polite look north of the border". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Braun, Liz (7 May 2015). "Being Canadian review: Celebs help paint picture of what makes us funny". Toronto Sun. Toronto, Ontario: Postmedia Network Inc. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary; Handel, Jonathan; Konerman, Jennifer (13 February 2016). "2016 WGA Winners: Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ McNary, Dave (13 February 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
External links
- Being Canadian official website at the Internet Archive
- Being Canadian at IMDb
- Being Canadian at Rotten Tomatoes
- Being Canadian at Indiecan Entertainment
- Being Canadian fundraising page at Indiegogo