The holidays brought family reunions, the first snowfall of the season, far too much turkey, and the final theatrical releases of 2012. Audiences flocked to see Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit and Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables as the year came to a close, but how many people had the chance to see a contemporary Canadian film? The reality of the Canadian box office is that American films dominate and Canadian ones are usually reserved for the festival circuit. The problem is not supply — there are many talented Canadian filmmakers and quality films out there — but accessibility.
Canada’s Top Ten, established in 2001 by TIFF, attempts to combat this issue by compiling an annual list of Canada’s top 10 features and short films, and screening these films for 10 days at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. According to Steve Gravestock, Senior Programmer at TIFF, the list was originally a promotional tool, meant to create awareness of Canadian cinema. Choices are based solely on the personal preferences of a select panel, with no regard for agenda or politics. The resulting lineup is an eclectic mix of genres and origins.
Many will recognize certain names on the CTT features list, such as David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, Michael Dowse’s Goon or Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children. But this year’s list of shorts provides a unique opportunity for audiences to get acquainted with largely unknown filmmakers. As Gravestock notes, the shorts that will be screened during the festival are part of a unique genre and very specific type of art form. These are not the shorts that precede your favourite Pixar or Disney movie; many on the top 10 list deal with the grief and struggles of ordinary people.
One of the most heartrending short films that will be screened during Canada’s Top Ten is Martin Thibaudeau’s Reflexions. This short, which clocks in at only five minutes long, has no dialogue, but gives the audience a glimpse into the life of a deceased man and his family. Both Joelle Desjardins Paquette’s Wintergreen and Chloe Robichaud’s Herd Leader are French films that take a more lighthearted approach to death and mourning, using humour to portray the complex emotions that follow the loss of a loved one.
Some of the shorts derive their inspiration from history, fables and music. Diane Obomsawin’s Kaspar is a 2D representation of a nineteenth century foundling. Bydio by Patrick Bouchard is a claymation film inspired by Mussorgsky’s piano concerto Pictures at an Exhibition. This short — which is especially moving thanks to the superb craftsmanship of the clay figures — tells the story of an ox born from rain soaked mud and its destruction by those who try to control it.
This assortment of short films, coupled with the festival’s selection of Canadian features, makes Canada’s Top Ten one of the few events that allow audiences to see original Canadian content in theaters. I highly recommend taking advantage of this unique opportunity.
For tickets to Canada’s Top Ten, visit tiff.net or call (416) 599-8433. Screenings of Canada’s Top Ten features continues through this week until Sunday, January 13.
