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I love the NFB

October 27th, 2007     by Megan Griffith-Greene     Comments

Sorry that my film Fridays post is late, but I wanted to write about a screening I attended last night at the National Film Board. It was a selection of recent animation, part of their World Animation Day festival.

Regina Pessoa

I think I have a romantic attachment to certain Canadian institutions, among them the CBC, the National Gallery and the National Film Board. Brought up by parents heavily influenced by the spirit of the 60s and 70s, I feel a certain pride in national institutions dedicated to promoting Canadian culture and nurturing young Canadian artists and talent.

The screening last night (details here) was fantastic: a dozen short films showcasing a range of artistic and narrative styles. There were some standouts from great women animators: Regina Pessoa’s Tragic Story with a Happy Ending (which is where the image came from) deals with difference and acceptance and Diane Obomsawin’s Ici par Ici, which tells her dysfunctional family story, growing up in Montreal and France.

Beyond the terrific work, the night was free, as are many screenings at the NFB. You can go for scheduled screenings or sit in the lounge and watch movies there, and if you’re not in downtown Toronto, there are loads of films you can watch online, including documentaries on the environment, human rights and cultural diversity. And of course, there’s some great animation, too, including one of my favourites, the Log Driver’s Waltz.

I love the NFB.

Tags: film fridays, film reel

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