Films to remind residents of 'Canadian pride' on offer at WIFF special movie weekend

Imagine if Canada-U.S. relations became so chaotic and adversarial that a cold war suddenly developed between the two neighbouring nations. Wouldn't that be entertaining fiction?

The makers of the 1995 comedy Canadian Bacon thought so. And 30 years later, it's one of the featured films in a special movie weekend in Windsor meant to make viewers think about the region's most enduring international relationship.

"We firmly believe that film creates conversation," explained Vincent Georgie, executive director and chief programmer of the Windsor International Film Festival, which is organizing the special showings.

"Let's come together and see some films that are meaningful, and show what that Canada-U.S. relationship is."

From March 28 to 29, five films will be screened at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Windsor, each involving Canada and the U.S. in different ways.

"The world is in a funky place right now," Georgie said. "I think people are looking for things that are positive, compassionate, and also — in all these cases — that remind us of our Canadian pride."

Canadian Bacon (1995)

The cast of this movie is an ensemble of comedy legends: John Candy, Rhea Perlman, Alan Alda, Kevin Pollak, Wallace Shawn and others.

The absurd plot about Canada and the U.S. becoming enemies is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The movie's narrative has the U.S. president declaring Canada an enemy as a way to boost his popularity.

"(Director) Michael Moore does a really good job of satirizing that relationship," Georgie said. "And it's made the film oddly timely right now."

Argo (2012)

Ben Affleck's award-winning thriller portrays what was known as the Canadian Caper: A real-life mission to rescue diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, with C.I.A. operatives posing as Canadian filmmakers.

Despite winning the Oscar for Best Picture, the movie has come under criticism for downplaying the role of actual Canadians in the mission — especially Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor.

But Georgie feels the tale making it to the big screen in the first place is important: "The story is ultimately about how Canada and the U.S. worked together to actually save people. That's really the core of it."

You Are Here: A Come From Away Story (2018)

This documentary shows how the community of Gander, N.L., provided temporary shelter for more than 6,000 passengers of planes that were diverted during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Brian Mosher, a Gander resident who appears in the documentary, and Bill House, one of the film's producers, will be attending the Windsor screening.

Georgie said he considers the story a demonstration of "Canadian compassion... an important moment of strangers from both sides of the border coming together through a common crisis, and finding a humane solution."

The Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit (2024)

This recent Detroit documentary highlights both the history of the city and its legacy of great jazz musicians.

Although the film doesn't have direct Canadian ties, Georgie believes it's fitting, given the proximity of Detroit and Windsor.

"Culture goes beyond borders," he said. "One of the many interesting things with Detroit is its music scene — specifically its jazz scene. And it shows how that border of ours is actually quite porous. That culture transfers."

Bergers (Shepherds) (2024)

Canadian director Sophie Desrape's most recent film tells the story of a Montreal executive who abandons his over-stressed workaday life to move to Provence, France, and raise sheep.

Featured during WIFF 2024, the drama doesn't involve the U.S. But Georgie considers its theme universal, transcending its French language. 

"The core message of that film is finding happiness, finding your bliss in a peaceful way," he said.

Aside from special events like the March 28 and 29 movie weekend, planning is underway for the 2025 edition of the Windsor International Film Festival this fall.

Although WIFF has attracted plenty of cross-border patrons in the past, Georgie isn't particularly concerned that the current Canada-U.S. trade war will hurt attendance.

"Film attendance tends to go up (in strange times)," Georgie said. "We have an audience that is Canadian, we have an audience that is American. If those people are able to hang around and talk to each other — that's the mission."