THE U.S. AND US

Hometown Gong Show?

2009-02-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

I admit it. I thought the hometown screening in Courtenay was going to be a bit of a Gong Show. It had all the signs: a small screen and folding chairs in the Upper Legion; music emanating from the Lower Legion; a wimpering baby in the corner; a malfunctioning DVD player that would stop for a 1/2 second and start again; and the people who trickled in late, including a guy in search of a washroom. Whatever.

Lesson: Relinquish control!

In the end it turned out to be a great crowd (150+) who really got the film (and all my jokes). Many stayed after for the Q&A even though my film was in the last slot of a very long day of films. And many family and friends came out - including good friend and a key Cinematographer on "The U.S. and Us" - Kim MacNaughton (also a 'Courtenay girl').

Moral of this story: Bring on life with all its curve balls - we can handle them!

Doc to Screen at Hometown Film Festival!

2009-01-28T21:36:00.000-08:00

Finally, a chance to redeem myself after a misspent youth in Courtenay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

After wrapping up the cross-Canada tour, I'm returning to my hometown of Courtenay to screen, "The U.S. and Us" at the World Community Film Festival at the Upper Legion on Saturday, February 7th at 4:40. Sid Williams ticket office: 250-338-2430. Check out the rest of the line-up at: www.worldcommunity.ca/film2009.htm

I hope Mr. Brodie, my Grade 9 Science teacher, shows up. He hid behind his tree on Halloween and (physically) caught my friend after we threw eggs at his door. I think I need some closure.....

When the World Community Film Festival wraps up, it gets a travel bug and transforms into the Traveling World Community Film Festival and heads out of town to: Vancouver, Grand Forks, Salt Spring Island, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Winnipeg and Antigonish, Nova Scotia (one of my favourite places; wish I could go)! For more info, visit: www.codev.org/filmfest/travellingfest.cfm

Day 2: A Bigger Footprint but So Much Fun!

2009-01-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

After an amazing day of snowshoeing, we rose the next day to a dramatically different landscape; in the night, the wind had blown all the snow off the trees. I think I detected a collective sense of loss with this big shift. Hey, wait a second - that was a bit too fast! It seems we're continually reminded of the impermanent nature of - well - nature!

VIDEO: "ICEFISHING ON FISH LAKE ANYONE?"
In an effort to cram as much 'northern experiences' into 3 days, Katie and I hopped on the snow machine - as many call it in the Yukon - and headed up Fish Lake. (I had to be reassured the ice was very thick and could, for example, handle the big trucks of the Tommy Hilfiger shoot as well as the production activities of the CBC series "Northern Town".) Okay, I was convinced and ready to go! We crossed the 10 km length of Fish Lake and found the trail, that took us deeper into the wilderness of the Subalpine forest, until the trees got more and more scarce. It was an entertaining ride with lots of dips and corners that sent us leaning in the opposite direction in order to stay on track. Most of the time we were successful but the softness of the snow, and my wrong-direction-leaning, resulted in us careening off the path a couple of times. (But isn't that where life is more interesting?) The first time it happened, I was ready to pack 'er in as I had no experience with this heavy mechanical beast but Katie's expertise got us easily back on track and deeper into the mountains.

VIDEO: "BACKSEAT IN THE BACKCOUNTRY"
We had a few stops, during our 4-hr/50 km outing, to stretch and refuel with a yummy lunch and ginger tea. And we gave the right-of-way to a group of 4 dog mushing teams from a local ranch that offers tourists guided trips.

VIDEO: "DOG MUSHERS"

Our snowmobile trip took us to the height of land between the Fish Lake and Ibex watersheds.
We then had to hightail it back as we were losing the light. Funny, on the way there we were chasing the light and witnessed many sunsets as we rode from mountain to valley to mountain again.
"LOOKING BACK ACROSS FISH LAKE"
On our return trip we chased the sunset, with a handy back-up in the snow machine's headlight, which helped us navigate across the lake past the - now defunct - fox farm. During that final leg, I took the helm and noticed my inner redneck surfacing, the one who wanted to go faster and faster and faster! Then it was home to a nice warm house and a chili dinner prepared by Dennis. Nice. "HELMET HAIR"

The next morning I took off back to Vancouver, brimming with wonderful memories of my time in the Yukon, and one sore arse! But I'd do it all again as this was an amazing way to wrap up the cross-Canada tour of my film, "The U.S. and Us"!

Snowshoes and Exploding Ptarmigan!

2009-01-16T19:09:00.000-08:00

After my film screening at The Old Fire Hall and my stint at a B&B in downtown Whitehorse, I leapt at an offer to be billetted by locals on the outskirts of town. Katie Hayhurst and Dennis Kuch - retired Parks Planner and Interpreter, live an elegant lifestyle off-the-grid at Fish Lake, 20 minutes outside of Whitehorse. Comfort (including heated floors!) is facilitated by wind and solar power as well as wood and propane. The first day offered perfect conditions for snowshoeing with minus 10 (compared to minus 35-40 the days before) and 2 1/2 feet of white powdery snow. While I had done lots of skiing in my life, this was my first go on snowshoes and, after a month on the train, my body craved the exercise. All-in-all, it went well except for a couple of spectacular nosedives which were good for the laughs. The beautiful Subalpine terrain - with its Spruce, Pine, Poplar and Willow trees - is also home to a variety of creatures (besides Katie and Dennis). We saw many tracks along our path including: Arctic Hare, Mouse, Red Squirrel, Fox, Coyote, Wolf, possibly Lynx and the famous-yet-illusive Willow Ptarmigan whose tracks just seemed to end. The tricky technique - of exploding from a roosting position - is a good anti-predator move, for sure. Above: intact and calm - not exploding - Willow Ptarmigan.
Back home, a bird feeder - outside the livingroom window - provides a mutually-beneficial arrangement for birds and birders alike. Visitors included: Pine Grosbeak, Hoary Redpoll, Whisky Jack, Black-capped Chickadee and Hairy Woodpecker. Katie and Dennis don't feed other creatures and choose not to own a cat or dog in order to attract wildlife throughout the year.

After pushing the muscles where they hadn't been for some time, I was happy to 'Do in Rome'. Katie and Dennis taught me the fine art of saunaing which made for the best sauna experience of my life: sit in sauna until you're good and hot, step outside and either douse yourself with warm water or plop yourself in the snow! (I did both but only one photo is fit to post.) Repeat 3 times - with the last visit to a birch-scented sauna - and you're done. Kick-back with a warm cognac and your new best friends!
(Coming up: Part 2 of 'Quinn in the Yukon' where she goes snowmobiling into a pristine watershed and manages to take two more spectacular nosedives off the back of the snowmobile.)

Wrapping 'It' up in Whitehorse

2009-01-14T21:51:00.000-08:00

'It' = the cross-Canada tour, not my extremities although that was also important given it was 40 below when I touched down.

Whitehorse is an amazing place. It's superbly-lit natural beauty aside, the people definitely make the place. (This has surfaced as a common theme on my tour.) Case-in-point: the hard-working Andrew Connors, Yukon Film Society Programmer and filmmaker in his own right, who is dedicated to bringing in a diversity of films from around the world. (I felt honoured that my film was one of them.)

The screening of "The U.S. and Us" at The Old Fire Hall, a beautiful heritage building overlooking the Yukon River (above), was the perfect ending to my cross-Canada tour. And it surprised me. Even though I'd heard that Whitehorse is the northern Canadian cultural centre, with a vibrant artistic community, I was thrilled with the turnout and level of discussion during the Q&A. The questions struck a balance between 'issues', the filmmaking process and stylistic/aesthetic treatment. (Thanks to Council of Canadians, Tori Russel, who helped with the Q&A, and Kristina Mercs, Project Coordinator at The Old Fire Hall. (K.M. photos: 'Whitehorse Moon' and me by the river.)

(Please stay tuned for Part 2 of my Yukon experience which took me way off-the-grid to Fish Lake. New friends, Katie and Dennis, generously answered the call for a billet and showed me the time-of-my-life, snowshoeing one day and snowmobiling the next. Sore muscles were soothed in their homemade sauna where the hot sits were interspersed with plopping down into 2 feet of snow at 10 below.)

Whitehorse Bound!

2009-01-09T05:21:00.001-08:00

As part of my cross-Canada tour with my doc, "The U.S. and Us", I'm heading up to Whitehorse today to screen my film at the Old Fire Hall on Saturday, January 10th at 8 pm. This event (my visit) is being sponsored by the Yukon Film Society. www.yukonfilmsociety.com

I'm excited about this visit as I've never been to Whitehorse in the winter. The first and last time I was there was years ago, in the summer, for a 2-week canoe trip down the Wind River. Now, that was a life-altering experience.

I just checked the weather and it's -33 today so I look forward to comparing it to Winnipeg's -45 in mid-December!

Travel VIA Rail Where it Snows on the Inside!

2009-01-02T19:22:00.001-08:00

The last Edmonton/Vancouver leg was waylaid due to - yet another - CN derailment (more on this phenomenon and possible reasons, later). I passed some of the time talking with fellow traveler David Winter, Canadian Labour Congress, Regional Director for the Prairie Region. He took these last two shots.

Signs of winter and a long tour are definitely visible. (That dome car is holding me upright!) I'm ready to kick-back for the holidays at my Mom's in Courtenay where I will rest up for the northern leg to Whitehorse on January 9th. I heard it was minus 41 there today but I've been primed after -45 in Winnipeg!

"The U.S. and Us" Wants Your Comments!

2008-12-31T00:38:00.000-08:00

It has been brought to my attention that many people are having difficulty posting comments on my blog. We've made some changes which, hopefully, will make it easier so please give it another go. It would be great to hear from you!

Edmonton Ho-Ho!

2008-12-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

Despite there being only 7 shopping days until Christmas, combined with c-c-c-cold weather, over 60 people came out for the screening at the Edmonton Public Library. Many thanks to EPL, Gord Laxer and The Parkland Institute for sponsoring the event! (That guy is holding up a DVD which you can order from this blog! Please see right side panel.)

I stayed at my friends' farm, 1 hour north of Edmonton, which proved to be a welcomed change-of-pace. Childhood pal, Joyanne (shown here bringing in firewood), her husband Lyle, son Nicolas, their 5 horses, 55 ewes, 2 rams, 34 lambs, 3 dogs, 4 barnyard cats and big white bunny brought me back to earth after a month on and off the train.

//On Track with Yoga //

2008-12-20T23:53:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of my train trip occured when a few of us gathered to chat in the 'social car' late one night on the Winnipeg - Edmonton leg. Suddenly - almost spontaneously - we were on our feet doing yoga. We used every bit of space available, including the tables, to stretch our travel-weary bodies. It was as though we needed to coax our Selves back into alignment, to let our bodies and spirits sing, while the train rocked us along its track.

Goodbye Winnipeg.....

2008-12-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

I almost missed my train but it could've been worse! A woman from Capreol, a few stops before Winnipeg, lept at her departing train and clung to the side (glove-less) for 12 miles until someone spotted her. Luckily, she was unharmed and is now writing the Prairie sequel to "Indiana Jones".

Dining Car Diners:
-Rachel, a UBC Sociology masters student writing a thesis about the connection between universities and the politicization of students;
-Todd, a 4th year Architecture student from U of M;
-Zolan, a Toronto-based Yugoslavian, who bought our table 2 bottles of wine!

Toasting Winnipeg at -45!

2008-12-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

I touched down in Winnipeg just as the Xmas party scene was taking off. By the time the screening rolled around at the Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque - 61 hours later - I'd been to 7 parties, a 'personal best'.

WFG Director of Programming, Dave Barber (above with a Guy Maddin set piece designed by local Production Designer, Ricardo Alms) was my very supportive host.

Dave and I agreed the Cinematheque audience was like a good film; when they piped up, during the Q+A, they were surprisingly unpredictable. One guy took a plunge and suggested Canada should provide free water to the U.S. (Talk about freedom of speech, eh!) Thanks to local activist and Council of Canadians rep, Michael Welch, who helped field questions.

A Well-Timed Berth

2008-12-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

A 'late train credit' allowed for an affordable upgrade on the Toronto-Winnipeg leg of the tour. I will never again take horizontal sleeping for granted. I'm sure the extra rest helped to keep a bug at bay, not to mention the chiropractor!

A stop in Hornepayne, Ontario provided a taste of full-on Canadian winter with a brief romp in the sun and the snow and the -20 degrees, a kind of training for Winnipeg. Bring it on, I say!

Halifax!

2008-12-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Potluck dinner guests gather in the communal kitchen at the famous Brunswick Street Co-op House. An informal post-dinner screening of "The U.S. and Us", to Haligonian pals, was the perfect complement to a previous screening at Saint Mary's University Art Gallery attended by students, political activists and artists.

This stop in Halifax was very important to me due to my history as a student at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and a stint as Managing Director of Centre for Art Tapes in the 80s. The years spent in this community were extremely formative, both personally and politically.

After a wonderful visit, I was back on the train for a 30 hour trip to Toronto where I'll touch down before heading on to Winnipeg and a screening at Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque on Saturday, December 13th at 2 pm.

Charlottetown

2008-12-04T13:12:00.001-08:00

Post-UPEI screening with Marian White (CUSO-VSO) and Leo Broderick (Council of Canadians). The screening was sponsored by a number of organizations including: UPEI WUSC (Leo Cheverie), CUSO-VSO, CUPE Global Justice Committee (PEI), CUPE Local 1870, Council of Canadians and Island Media Arts Coop. The community spirit in Charlottetown - our seat of confederation - is quite amazing!

Cross-Canada Tour Screening Schedule

2008-11-28T18:19:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-26T20:58:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-24T23:47:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-13T16:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

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.)

Rolling with Kim and Rylan

2008-09-28T00:35:00.000-07:00

Kim MacNaughton (dear friend and cinematographer) and Rylan Kerbes (very sound Location Sound guy) were the backbone of the last shoot in Vancouver for "The U.S. and Us". We covered a lot of ground that day, from shooting U.S. dollars cascading down a West End fountain to 'The Greatest Threat Facing Canadians' poll in Grandview Park on Commercial Drive. At day's end, we were at English Bay for magic hour, where we shot Uncle Sam and Izzy Lagoon as 'Canada Dog' (but no animals were hurt....). 'Magic' is that beautiful light before sunset but it is also achieved when the crew really 'gets' what you're trying to say, however silly it may seem, and are dedicated to the issues and artistic vision.

Mel Hurtig reveals "The Truth about Canada"

2008-09-28T00:02:00.000-07:00

Mel Hurtig's take on foreign ownership and control inspired this performance art piece and scene in the film. 'There's no other country in the world that would have allowed the degree of foreign ownership and foreign control that we have in Canada except tiny little Luxembourg. Of all the 30 OECD countries, Canada has the second worst amount of foreign ownership.' .... 'In some companies, you can't even order a roll of toilet paper unless you get permission from Chicago or New York or Boston.' MH

I would highly recommend Mel's latest best-selling book, "The Truth About Canada".

Upcoming Premiere at VIFF

2008-09-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

The U.S. and Us has been selected for The Canadian Images program at the Vancouver International Film Festival (screening dates: September 29th and October 1st). For tickets and show times visit : www.viff.org

It's About Process, Really

2008-09-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

This film has been a long and, at times, difficult journey. One of my main intentions, and something I had to learn over and over along the way, is the importance of process. With this new-found approach, I began to see lessons where before I had seen obstacles. In this blog, I want to talk about the various stages of making the film and feature some of the crew because without them - people who care deeply about the project - this film would not have been made!

Izzy for Prime Minister!

2008-09-18T19:29:00.003-07:00

When 'Izzy Lagoon' refused to live up to that small dog stereotype and jump onto Uncle Sam's lap, it got a bit tense on set. But her handler and best friend - Jamie - had a different take on it: wasn't it wonderfully defiant of Izzy to have a mind of her own and not just roll over to Uncle Sam's demands? Talk about a clear sense of identity and an unwavering strength to chart her own course. Izzy for Prime Minister!

A Blog to Flog (my film)

2008-09-18T19:29:00.001-07:00

When the idea surfaced to start a blog to flog my film, my friend Owen set it up for me. He knows I can be a bit resistant when it comes to all things tech. I have to say, now that I've gotten my feet wet, I'm finding it fun and, dare I say, empowering! Oh-oh, O - you may have unleashed a monster.