Why are Canadian films so obsessed with snow, sex, and existential dread? This doc has theories.
This compelling documentary explores Canadian film culture and tries to discover what defines Canadian film through interviews with notable filmmakers.
Writing
Witty, self-aware narration that roasts and celebrates Canadiana.
Direction
Sharpe balances talking heads with playful visual gags.
Production
Clever use of clips from iconic CanCon classics.
Director
Jill Sharpe
Robert Lepage
Self / Phillippe / André / René
Sheila McCarthy
Polly Vandersma (archive footage)
Patricia Rozema
Self
Don McKellar
Self / Pokey Jones / Patrick Wheeler / Matt Shapiro / Brad
Atom Egoyan
Self
Léa Pool
Self
Anne Wheeler
Self
Clement Virgo
Self
François Girard
elf
Denis Villeneuve
Self
Denys Arcand
Self
Elias Koteas
Self (archive footage)
Arsinée Khanjian
Self (archive footage)
Natar Ungalaaq
Self (archive footage)
Lothaire Bluteau
Self (archive footage)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title parodies Margaret Atwood's famous quote that Canadian literature is about 'survival and victims'—she never actually said 'weird sex and snowshoes,' but everyone thinks she did.
Released during the 'Canadian Cinema' boom of the early 2000s, when films like 'The Barbarian Invasions' and 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' (okay, that one's not Canadian) made CanCon suddenly cool.
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