National Canadian Film Day means getting excited about what's playing on big and small screens
CBC
Right off the back of the widely reported success of everything from Brother to Riceboy Sleeps and I Like Movies — and the dubious success of the Canadian Screen Awards' attempt to highlight them — there are still more reasons to think about, and celebrate, movies in the Great White North.
And on Wednesday, the 10th annual National Canadian Film Day aims to do just that: highlight the country's cinema and everything its creators have accomplished.
But while the Canadian Screen Awards recently honoured some of the best movies of the past year — and CanFilmDay organizers have compiled some of the best choices from the past several decades — it can be difficult to stay on top of Canadian movies you can still look forward to watching.
To help with that, CBC has compiled some of the brightest productions to expect over the rest of the year, and — when possible — let you know when you can expect to see them.
Release date: April 27
Arguably one of the most talked about Canadian releases coming this year, BlackBerry looks back at the creation of the iconic cellphone, as well as the company — and the men — behind it. Casting Glenn Howerton and Canadian Jay Baruchel as CEO Jim Balsillie and founder Mike Lazaridis, respectively, BlackBerry — directed by Canadian Matt Johnson — details first the rise, then precipitous fall of Research In Motion in a story as high stakes as it is frenetic.
A feature film is scheduled for release later this month, with an eventual three-part series slated for release on CBC Gem in early 2024.
Release date: TBA
BlackBerry isn't Jay Baruchel's only project in the works. Humane, described by Deadline as an "environment-themed thriller," fronts Baruchel in Caitlin Cronenberg's directorial debut, as she follows both her father and brother into the world of surreal horror. Also starring Schitt's Creek's Emily Hampshire, Flashpoint's Enrico Colantoni, Alanna Bale of Cardinal and The O.C.'s Peter Gallagher, the Michael Sparaga-written film documents a family dinner in the aftermath of an environmental collapse. Humanity has lost 20 per cent of its population, and — according to its synopsis — things go "horribly awry" after the father announces his plans to enlist in a government euthanasia program.
A four-week shoot wrapped in Hamilton late last year, but a representative for the movie confirmed to CBC that no release date has yet been confirmed.
Release date: June 2
Although Marie Clements's Bones of Crows has already seen a few theatrical showings as part of its national Indigenous community screening tour, a wide release is still in the works. The movie, which boasts a nearly all-Indigenous cast, tells a multi-generational story centred around Cree matriarch Aline Spears — played at three separate ages by Secwépemc actor Grace Dove as an adult, Seneca/Mohawk and French Canadian Carla-Rae at older ages, and 10-year-old Summer Testawich as a child.
Having already screened at film festivals in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Santa Barbara, Calif., among others, it is scheduled for a June 2 theatrical release. Like BlackBerry, it will be recut as a miniseries, with the five-part version being released sometime in late 2023 or early 2024.
Release date: TBA
