In partnership with local community groups and provincial organizations, you are invited to celebrate the heritage of our country, province and city. The event will feature Canadian short films, information, heritage demonstrations and activities for the whole family.
NATIONAL FILM BOARD SHORT FILMS
Short films from the National Film Board will be shown in Saskatchewan Theatre throughout the day on a repeating loop.
How the Fiddle Flows
Gregory Coyes, 2002 | 48 min
It’s high summer in southern Saskatchewan and a rollicking tune fills the night. Four master Metis fiddlers play to the tapping toes of a lively crowd. How the Fiddle Flows follows Canada’s great rivers west along the fur-trading route of the early Europeans. The newcomers introduced the fiddle to the Aboriginal people they intermarried with along the way. A generation later, their mixed-blood offspring would blend European folk tunes with First Nations rhythms to create a rich and distinct musical tradition. From the Gaspé Peninsula, north to Hudson Bay and to the Prairies, How the Fiddle Flows reveals how a distinctive Metis identity and culture were shaped over time. Featuring soaring performances by some of Canada’s best-known fiddlers and step dancers and narrated by award-winning actress Tantoo Cardinal.
Gone Curling
John Howe, 1963 | 10 min
This short comedy follows a visitor to the prairies as he slowly discovers the cult of curling. At first, our protagonist doesn’t seem to understand why everyone is so crazy about curling, but once he studies up, buys the right gear, and gets a few lessons, he can’t be stopped. This hilarious short film records the history of a rookie’s first game. Even non-curlers will feel the pull of the stones and the flick of the brooms in this choice rink-side view.
Windbreaks on the Prairie
Evelyn Cherry, 1943 | 18 min
This short film serves as a cautionary tale to farmers who recklessly cut down trees on their land. When prairie farmers engaged in this practice to facilitate plowing, they discovered that the trees had served as windbreaks protecting top soil from erosion. The Dominion Department of Agriculture’s experimental station at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, cultivated acres of young trees for distribution to farmers.
Big Drive
Anita Lebeau, 2011 | 9 min
This short animation film tells the story of a family road trip across the Canadian prairies set in the 1970s. In an era before in-car movies and video games, 4 sisters squeeze into the back of the family car for a long journey. While the parents keep a steady watch on the road ahead, restlessness gradually gives way to mayhem in the car’s close quarters. Just before the ride becomes unbearable, the sisters are inspired to combine their creative energy and the big drive becomes an even bigger adventure.
First Stories: Two-Spirited
Sharon A. Desjarlais, 2007 | 6 min
This short documentary presents the empowering story of Rodney “Geeyo” Poucette’s struggle against prejudice in the Indigenous community as a two-spirited person (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender). First Stories is an emerging filmmaker program for Indigenous youth which produced 3 separate collections of short films from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Produced in association with CBC, APTN, SCN, SaskFilm and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND.
The Magic Quilt
Bettina Maylone, 1985 | 12 min
In this short film, which mixes live action with cutout and embroidery animation, a group of children finds a magic quilt that is their passport to a voyage of discovery. They step inside the quilt and as they travel through its velvet farmlands and satin cities, they experience the multiculturalism of Canada. The quilt is torn and the magic broken when a quarrel breaks out. Once the quilt is repaired and harmony restored, the children have learned that patience and goodwill are needed to mend and maintain quilts, friendships, and nations.
Regular Museum admission applies. FREE for WDM members.
