Cinema in Canada

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 1,5, LMU Munich (Amerika Institut), course: Proseminar "Canada Today," 12 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Canadian cinema, as seen through its diverse scales, e.g. Franco- or Anglophone, documentary or fictional, independent- or blockbuster-film, reflects the cultural and social wealth of this young nation, and the artistic independence of some of its filmmakers, who, situated between Hollywood and different traditions from overseas, found their own unique voice. It is a voice which reflects the countries values within its history. It shows social, political, and cultural aspects of Canadian life. Whether it be the urban communities in the big cities, the endless landscapes of the provinces, or the personal and political struggles within notions of national identity, everything which defines this faceted country has found its expression also in the Canadian cinema. In the following, an overview shall be given on the development of Canadian film. In the second part, some films from Anglophone and Francophone cinema with the colorful topics of Canadian life shall be portrayed. The films stand as popular examples for many others to discuss certain issues such as Francophone and Anglophone biculturalism, Canadian multiculturalism, the struggles of minorities within the Canadian society, or loneliness and isolation due to technization and overwork in the big cities of the Canadian country.