The way Canada was shaped by Pierre Elliot Trudeau

I was born in 1973. Trudeau had been in power for already five years at the time. He was going to be there until 1984, with a small exception when Joe Clark was prime minister from 1979 to 1980. I was only 11 years old when Trudeau retired from politics but he still had a profound influence on my thinking. That being said, the fact that we didn't had any great politicians after him (sorry Mr. Mulroney, Mr. Turner, Mr. Chrétien and Ms. Campbell), really catapulted Trudeau to the stature of great politician.

Even if you were against the politics of Mr. Trudeau, you had to admire the man. He was a man with great charm, he was an intellectual but seemed to be close to the people. He was, like someone in the documentary said, our John F. Kennedy. And better off, he was still alive (Trudeau died just a few months ago, in the winter of 2000).

This is a good documentary. Catherine Annau picked a few Canadians (both francophones and anglophones - the movie is bilingual) and asked them what it was to be Canadians and how they felt about the other linguistic group of the country. 

Being myself a Franco-Ontarian, it was quite interesting to see how Anglo-Canadians react vis-à-vis bilingualism. It's also interesting to see how French-Quebeckers react vis-à-vis French-Canadians living outside Québec.

I think this is a debate that will live forever in Canada. Even with a winning referendum (a lot of Quebeckers don't want another referendum) for separatists, the question wouldn't be settle. What about the federalists living in Québec. Wouldn't they be allowed to ask for another referendum to get back into Canada? This is a never ending story. For the time being, we must learn to live with the other, to accept the many different cultures that make today's Canada. 

Yes, Québec is distinct from Ontario. So is New Brunswick distinct from Nunavut. So is Manitoba distinct from Newfoundland. So is the Franco-Ontarians distinct from the Acadians. And so on... Education is the way to a better society. 

7 out of 10.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

Just Watch Me: Trudeau and the 70's Generation

Several Canadians discuss how Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau affected them in the 1970's, in particular, his efforts to create a bilingual Canada.

Just Watch Me: Trudeau and the 70's Generation (1999)

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Just Watch Me: Trudeau and the 70's Generation

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