Canadian films are known for inspiring immersive experiences for their audiences. Movies that are made by Canadians have a unique style of narration, lighting, and cinematography, to mesmerize people in theatres and in their homes. The Canadian film industry has produced hundreds of movies over the last few decades, attracting film fanatics from all over the world to tune in.
Filmmakers from Canada have worked in numerous Hollywood movies. The most talented Canadian directors have managed to capture the essence of adventure by collaborating with the finest actors, set designers, and camera crew. Millions of people plan their visit to Canada in order to attend the Toronto International Film Festival to watch the latest blockbuster movies on the big screen.
Take a look at these stunning Canadian films for immersive experiences that can inspire the next generation of filmmakers and cinema fans.
Maudie
Maudie is a biographical film directed by Aisling Walsh. Released in 2016, Maudie was produced in Ireland and Canada. It depicts the life of the folk artist, Maud Lewis, known for world-renowned works of art like A Family Outing and A View of Sandy Cove. Many of her paintings were sold for over CAD 21,000, increasing the interest of artists and art connoisseurs in the life of Maud Lewis.
The Canadian movie takes place in the 1930s, unveiling Maud Lewis at her family home in Nova Scotia. Her brother, Charles, decides to sell their family home, urging Maud to make arrangements for her to stay elsewhere. Maud, the lead role of the Canadian film is played by Sally Hawkins. She meets Everett Lewis, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, who sells fish for a living.
Film critics have applauded the performances of Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke. It has a high rating on websites like Rotten Tomatoes. Maudie has won several awards including the Best Director, Best Actress, Best Motion Picture, and Best Editing awards at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards. It also won the People’s Choice Award at the 2016 Vancouver International Film Festival.
Gambling, Gods and LSD
Gambling, Gods and LSD is a feature length film that has a run time of 3 hours. It was made by filming various parts of the movie in Canada, India, Switzerland, and the United States. Written and directed by Peter Mettler, Gambling, Gods and LSD, was screened at film festivals in Italy, Germany, Australia, and Japan.
The documentary film begins in Toronto. John Paul Young and other prominent figures in the Christian community of Toronto are interviewed about their search for God. Music, dance, and worship play an important role in depicting the spiritual journey of people residing in Canada. Gambling, Gods and LSD takes viewers into casinos to highlight the gameplay of gamblers and their knack for being lucky while betting their money.
Slot machines, blackjack, poker, and other casino games are filmed to give audiences an immersive experience of high energy scenarios. These scenes in Gambling Gods and LSD have inspired a number of live casinos to recreate the feeling of being a lucky winner in a virtual setting. Online casinos have invited players to join table games and earn money from anywhere in the world based on the scenes involved in the Canadian film.
A significant segment of the documentary was filmed in Hampi. The former capital of the celebrated Vijayanagara Empire in India, Hampi, has helped change the perspective of people about ancient cultures. Peter Mettler also interviews the Swiss scientist, Albert Hofmann, who discovered LSD. A soundtrack of over 60 minutes was composed for Gambling, Gods and LSD, and released in 2003 to provide immersive experiences for fans of the documentary.
My Winnipeg
My Winnipeg is a film that tells the story about the activities of one of the largest cities in Canada. Guy Maddin, the director of the Canadian movie, was raised in Winnipeg, providing a deeply authentic and personal take on the city and its inhabitants. In the film, Darcy Fehr plays the role of Guy Maddin as he explores the city to find a way out.
From finding hidden rivers beneath the city to participating in treasure hunts sponsored by the Canadian Pacific Railway, My Winnipeg is filled with mysterious details. Most citizens living in Winnipeg have never questioned the possibility of escaping the city while Guy Maddin persists that leaving Winnipeg can be a solution.
As the story progresses, Guy Maddin rents out his home in the movie and hires professional actors to be a part of his family. Monuments like the Winnipeg Arena are featured in the movie to provide a sense of nostalgia to Canadian audiences. The Golden Boy Statue, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, and the Hudson’s Bay departmental store are also the central locations in Winnipeg that have made the film a hit.
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner is an aboriginal movie about the Inuit tribe. The Toronto International Film Festival announced that Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner was the greatest Canadian film of all time. The epic movie was launched into Canadian theatres in 2001, becoming the highest grossing film of the year with earnings of more than $5 million.
Most of the movie was shot in Igloolik, Nunavut, capturing the cold environment surrounding the Inuit tribe on camera. A majority of crew members involved in the making of Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner were a part of the Inuit community. Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner made its premiere at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.