Cinema Canada (Jun 1982)

Film Canada works well, Lefebvre wins FIPRESCI at Cannes CANNES A positive reaction was registered to the Film Canada representation at the Cannes Festival, reports organizer Jocelyne Pelchat-Johnson. “The move back to the Palais was well-received. People commented that it was ‘nice to see you back’ and that Canada was ‘beginning to show good product.” The Film Canada stand functioned as an information centre, relaying messages to Canadians from foreign agents, and distributing information on films and the Canadian situation in general. “We were deluged with requests from producers who were interested in making films in Canada or in arranging co-productions,” she commented. The stand, situated between those of the Scandinavian countries and Spain, was active throughout the festival. “They gave good support,” reports R.S.L. producer Robert Lantos, who made frequent use of the video facilities there. “Tl had a video machine in my Producers’ brief (cont. from p. 3) the planned interim -period, Film Canada be disbanded. An important new role could be played by the CFDC in securing acceptance of legitimate revenue guarantees as bankable collateral. The CBC’s production role would be limited to information programming and_ editorial comment. The increased pur chase of private sector programming over a period of time would result, the producers maintain, in the absorption of the best of CBC talent by that sector. Export sales would be handled by private companies. The CRTC should show more muscle in exacting performance from its licensees, and competitive bidding for licenses should be encouraged with each renewal, the document states. The National Film Board would be transformed to a postgraduate school, playing an important role in research and development and_ providing grants, scholarships and fel lowships for industry people on sabbatical. The international NFB sales offices would be eliminated and embassy film libraries would be strengthened. Finally, are-examination of the dual roles of federal film commissioner and president of the NFB should be studied to see if it is still appropriate for both functions to be filled by the same person. villa, but people don’t have the time to drive 15 minutes to screen a film. Five out of six times, I could use the Film Canada facilities as soon as I wished.” The press bureau, which Carlton Hotel, also reported a satisfactory turn-out. “The press people are used to coming to the Carlton and found us with no difficulty,” said Film Festival Bureau head Jean Le febvre. Proof of its efficiency is FIPRESCI prize to Jean-Pierre Lefebvre for Les fleurs sauvages. ‘It was important that we make the press aware of the film, that we furnish the material and create an atmosphere which allowed it to be recog Nicole Liss, a French press attache, seconded the effort. Next year, if all goes according to plans, the Film Canada representation will be brought together in the new palais. “It will be a different set-up. There will be closed offices, and much more space for the delegation,” concluded PelchatJohnson. No news on sales is yet avail continued to operate from the found in the award of the National Film Board of Canada nized for the fine film it is.” able from Film Canada. Office national du film du Canada ____ NEWS —— | «A WAR STORY» at Cineplex A War Story, the poignant dramadocumentary which swept the AIberta Film and Television Awards opens this month at Cineplex theatres in Toronto (Carleton cinemas), Ottawa and Winnipeg. It will also have a one-night play in Vancouver (June 24) at the Robson Square Cinema. Anne Wheeler will attend the screening. The film took best entertainment feature, best direction and best music awards at the Alberta Festival. A War Story is based on the World War II diaries of Dr. Ben Wheeler and is directed, produced and written by his daughter, Edmonton filmmaker, Anne Wheeler. When Dr. Wheeler returned to Canada, after the War, he never talked about his. experiences. He died in 1963 when Anne was 17. Years later she read her father’s remarkable diaries and * Thirty-five year old Anne Wheeler is a founding member of Film West, an inde pendent film cooperative, and has directed half a dozen award-winning short documentaries for the NFB. A WAR STORY is her first feature film. Actor David Edney plays the role of Dr. Ben Wheeler. Working in the ‘hospital’, decided to make a feature film about them. The result is a story of extraordinary courage, faith endurance and heroism. For3 1/2 years Wheeler fought to save what lives he could in a forced labor camp in Formosa (Taiwan). One thousand British prisoners of war, captured at the fall of Singapore in 1942, mined copper in atrocious conditions, suffering from starvation, disease and the hardships of imprisonment and slave labor. Using the diaries, read by Donald Sutherland, as the main thread of the narrative the film tells Wheelers story through a combination of dramatic reconstruction and archival footage. A War Story was produced by the National Film Board’s North West Studio. Executive producers were Tom Radford and Michael Scott. NFB Offices in Canada: Headquarters Montreal (514) 333.3452 National Capital -Ottawa (613) 996-4259 Pacific region Vancouver (604) 686-1716 Quebec region Montreal (514) 283-4823 Prairie region Winnipeg (204) 949-4129 Ontario region Toronto (416) 369-4094 Atlantic region Halifax (902) 426-6000 Plus offices in most major cities June 1982 Cinema Cai