Canuck or not Canuck?

In his letter in the Jan. 23 Playback, Brad Pelman tells us how pleased he is that TIFF's Canada's Top Ten list includes the American film A History of Violence. The producers of this film decided to shoot it in Canada, and, knowing the nature of David Cronenberg's films and the fact that he is a critic's darling, hired him to direct it. This does not make it a Canadian film.

Pelman goes on to enthusiastically endorse Crash, cowritten and directed in Hollywood by Canadian Paul Haggis. This, too, he thinks, is a Canadian film. This is ridiculous. These two films are American - and quite good - and Pelman is annoyed that these two filmmakers are being "stripped" of their Canadian citizenship. What nonsense.

If these films are to be called Canadian, then all the American films made by Norman Jewison are actually Canadian as well? I doubt that Jewison would agree, nor would other Canadians who have worked in Hollywood, including Daniel Petrie, Arthur Hiller, Sidney J. Furie or Ted Kotcheff and many others going back to Mack Sennett.

If Haggis' film, which has nothing to do with Canada, is to be called Canadian, then should the films of British, German or Mexican directors working in Hollywood be called British, German and Mexican? And don't forget that marvelous Taiwanese film Ang Lee made for Hollywood and shot in Canada - Brokeback Mountain!

Pelman talks about our screenwriters who want to tell our stories - and they would, but find the "gates" are closed against them. Has he looked at Quebec, where marvelous indigenous films are being made about their society with a host of well-known actors and producers who find it possible to make a profit from enthusiastic audiences who support them?

Pelman then turns his ire to Telefilm Canada, CAVCO and the Academy. Update the "antiquated" government regulations by all means, but not in such a way to benefit producers who would do as they did during the tax-shelter era ­- that is, to flood our screens with pseudo-American films with Hollywood has-beens.

Gerald Pratley,
Author,
A Century of Canadian Cinema

Remembering Leo

I read with shock and sadness about Leo Rice-Barker's passing. I simply cannot believe this incredible loss. I remain Leo's greatest fan. I absolutely loved who he was, what he did, his incredible knowledge of our professional community, his generosity of spirit, his exceptional wit, his profound insight.

Although geography prevented us from ever meeting in person, Leo and I had many a lively discussion through the years - we developed a funny and trusting relationship over a very long time, and I was always delighted to get him on the line, or he, me. We could talk for days. Leo will be sorely missed.

M. Michelle Nadon,
MediaIntelligence,
Toronto