This film is part of Free
Canada
From a London pub to the Alaska Highway, Canada’s influence extends far beyond its border, as shown in this celebration of America’s unique ties with its northern neighbour.
Overview
This celebration of Canadian industry and independence stresses the country’s wartime friendship with both Britain and the USA. Ranging from the seaboard of British Columbia to the bustling port of Halifax, via the vast granaries of Thunder Bay, and packed with footage of Canadian cities, factories and farms, perhaps the film’s most entertaining moment is the feisty discussion between an English, an American and a Canadian soldier about which side of the road to drive on.
With its frank admission that few Americans possess any real knowledge of Canada, this issue does a creditable job of giving a broad brush portrait the political, economic, and social make-up of the biggest country in the western hemisphere for the benefit of American and British audiences. One of Canada’s great contributions to the war effort - the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan - is also highlighted, with some high quality footage of the trainees in an unidentified Canadian base. Between 1939 and 1945 over 130,000 Allied pilots, navigators, gunners, radio operators, engineers and technicians were trained in what President Roosevelt called ‘the aerodrome of democracy’.
Related
Victory Parade Victory Parade
Documentary 1946 21 mins
Soldiers from the far reaches of the British Empire arrive in London to take part in the official commemoration of the end of war in Europe.
Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Foundation
Documentary 1969 12 mins Location: Brixton
Beach, church and carnival – Chief Inspector of Brixton Police sent to Trinidad to learn about West Indian customs.
Child Child
Documentary 1947 18 mins Silent
Advice for village families on raising children to become strong, healthy citizens
Carnival Fantastique Carnival Fantastique
Documentary 1960 18 mins
Vibrant documentary that captures Trinidad's famous street carnival in 1960.
Messages from Bhupen Khakhar Messages from Bhupen Khakhar
Documentary 1983 37 mins
"Good taste can be very killing": personal reflections from the self-trained Indian painter.
Mauritius 1941 Mauritius 1941
Amateur film 1941 14 mins Silent
The film shows Port Louis, the capital; workers on sugar plantations and road mending as well as colonial life in the then British dependency.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.