Cross-Canada Tour Screening Schedule

Charlottetown - UPEI's Duffy Theatre - December 1st, 7 p.m.

Halifax - Saint Mary's University Art Gallery - December 4th, 12 p.m.

Winnipeg - Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque - December 13th, 2 p.m.

Edmonton - Stanley A. Milner Theatre, Edmonton Public Library - December 18th, 7:30 p.m. (sponsored by The Parkland Institute; Q&A with Parkland's Gord Laxer and Quinn)

Whitehorse - The Old Fire Hall, January 10th, time: TBA (sponsored by Yukon Film Society)

Dawson City - Klondike Institute of Arts, date/time: TBA

Focus Please!

I presented "The U.S. and Us" to Zoe Dirse's first year Film Production Class at Sheridan College. This has been the youngest audience so far and so I was curious to see how they would respond. Of the 30 students present, only 2 fell asleep! Not bad considering they were all born between the signing of the first Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA. They became a lot more animated when we discussed the nature of independent filmmaking and what they might encounter outside the college doors.

Dick and Pat from Fargo

I met Dick and Pat DuBord on the Winnipeg - Toronto leg of my cross-Canada tour. They sat across from me in 'Comfort Class' (AKA: 'Coach') and we hit it off immediately. They are having a ball - as retired university profs - and spend a lot of time traveling the world. On this trip, they were taking the long way to visit their daughter, her husband and new baby in New Jersey. It was November 13th, just after the Obama win, and - as good lefties - our spirits were high!

They gave me the name of the woman who runs the Fargo Theater and suggested I contact her about showing my film, "The U.S. and Us". I wonder how it would play to a/that U.S. audience? It could be really interesting.....

Oh, and they said that film, "Fargo" wasn't shot in Fargo but in nearby Brainard, where there's more snow.

Saskatoon to Toronto

The Dome Car was a definite highlight on the Saskatoon - Toronto leg of my cross-Canada journey. 53 hours in 'comfort class' were made more comfortable with my blow-up neck pillow, cooler - complete with bladder of wine - and the company of a few strangers including photographer Dick (and Pat) from Fargo who are intent on getting "The U.S. and Us" programmed at their local cinema.

I've landed into the warmth of my community of friends in Toronto where I'm basking in the 'real' comfort of horizontal sleeping and rooftop swims in a downtown loft.

Onward to Montreal, in 2 days, after presenting my film in friend - Zoe's - Sheridan College class. (I couldn't show it publically in Toronto due to Hot Docs' submission rules......they want the Toronto premiere.)

First Stop: Saskatoon

Saskatoon was the first stop on this cross-Canada tour. I just showed the film today at the University of Saskatchewan and feel buoyed by the response - talk about an engaged audience!

Thanks to Professor Len Findlay and the Humanities Research Unit for sponsoring the event. Len was receptive to the idea from the beginning; he gives me hope that there are still university professors who care deeply about this country and who want to see us remain strong and - to quote a familiar tune - free!

David Orchard, one of the political commentators in the film, was on hand - with Len and me - for the Q&A which was very lively! (David, as many of you know, is a long-time activist and organic farmer in Saskatchewan.)

All-in-all, it was a wonderful way to kick-off this tour!

In about 6 hours - at 2 a.m. - I will board the train in Saskatoon and travel to Toronto with one (1 hour) stop-over in Winnipeg, to drop off posters and postcards, in advance of the screening there on the way back - December 13th at the Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque.

"The U.S. and Us" Synopsis

The U.S. and Us is an intellectual romp through the changing landscape of Canada-U.S. relations. Featuring interviews with Canada’s most popular activist Maude Barlow and best-selling political authors Linda McQuaig and Mel Hurtig, the film documents growing Canadian concerns over everything from the impact of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the fine print of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). Vignettes of Quinn’s performance art humourously illustrate mounting tensions over serious issues of energy, water and national security to question the future of Canadian sovereignty when American interests are at stake.

DVD Release Party and Cross-Canada Tour Launch

Wednesday, November 12th, 7 - 9 pm
SIP Lounge
1117 Granville Street (between Helmcken and Davie)

Come out for a sip!
(We sipped. It was a wonderful kick-off with friends.)