National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) returns to the Patricia Theatre April 16 and April 17, with free film showings, a cash bar and donuts to celebrate the unique Canadian film scene, past and present.
"In considering what to program we ran a number of Canadian titles by our programming committee and asked for their input," said qathet Film Society education director Peg Campbell. "With all that is going on next door [in the United States] and our upcoming federal election, it felt critical to have films that showed what it is about us that is uniquely Canadian, in context of the unavoidable influence of our neighbour."
Campbell said it wouldn’t feel right to celebrate Canadian film without having a film by an Indigenous filmmaker.
Reel Injun by documentary by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond examines how First Nations have been depicted in Hollywood since films started being made.
qathet Film Society executive director Gary Shilling is excited to be showing the classic Canadian movie Strange Brew, which features the characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, from the 1980s.
"It's a time for Canadians to band together and celebrate ourselves and celebrate all the things we've done, and I love the backstory behind the McKenzie brothers," said Shilling. "[Comedians] Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis put their heads together and came up with [the segment] Great White North [on sketch show SCTV] and that snowballed into this movie."
Paying it Forward, a new film by Toronto-based filmmaker Sook-Yin Lee, will also be a free feature film at the two-day event to celebrate Canadian filmmakers and movies.
"This [movie] is kind of like a trip in time," said Shilling. "I'm originally from Toronto and the film is set in Kensington Market, which is kind of a timeless place in Toronto that still has that same kind of funky urban feel."
Shilling and Campbell said they also want folks to come out and celebrate going out to the theatre.
"I Like Movies is rated 14A in BC and we’re hoping to have Brooks students attend," said Campbell. "It looks at the love of cinema and how it influences teens. It also features a young protagonist who has mental health issues, and this aspect of the story is handled with great compassion and warmth."
To find out the National Film Days schedule at the Patricia, go to qathetfilm.ca.
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