Product of Canada

This is our growing glossary of Canadian film traditions, clichés and tendencies.

  • Accents, Eh? - Ah, the music of the regional tongue. As heard in: Ginger Snaps, My Bloody Valentine.

  • Anywhere, USA - When a movie does not want to situate its story in Canada, it usually pretends to be in a generic small town south of the border. As seen in: Ginger Snaps, The Reflecting Skin.

  • Blood and Guts - Canadian filmmakers are not shy about blood and gore effects. Evidenced in: Backcountry, Ginger Snaps, My Bloody Valentine.

  • Can-con Shout-out (Movies and TV) - Do you remember that old Canadian movie or TV show? Even if you don't, Canadian filmmakers like to reference our cultural heritage. Evidenced in: Take This Waltz.

  • Can-con Shout-out (Music) - Our homegrown musicians have created many great tunes. You may recognize some on the soundtracks of these movies: Take This Waltz.

  • CBC on the Big Screen - See Canada's national broadcaster in a classic news clip running on a TV in the background or when a newscaster plays a newscaster. Evidenced in: Take This Waltz.

  • Currency Exchange - When a character conspicuously flashes the greenbacks to prove "we're not in Canada" but also cited when a character conspicuously displays Canadian money to prove "we're definitely in Canada." Evidenced in: I Declare War.

  • Hockey in All Its Forms - Even without ice, skates or a puck, the game that Canadians consider theirs will sneak into a movie in sometimes clever ways. As seen in: Ginger Snaps.

  • Janitor is Not Black - The token nod to racial diversity -- typically in American movies it is an African-American actor as a minor character that performs manual labour -- becomes the token nod to Canada's diverse "visible minorities." For instance in: Ginger Snaps.

  • Location, Location, Same Location - This place looks a lot like that place whether it's due to budgetary constraints or just being content with where we are. As seen in: I Declare War, Ginger Snaps.

  • Our Home and Native Land - When Canadian landmarks or recognizable cityscapes are featured. As seen in: Take This Waltz, Room.

  • Swearing Like a Canuck - Coarse language and salty talk! Can you believe Canadians use those same mouths to kiss their mothers? As heard in: I Declare War, Ginger Snaps.

  • TV Star Guest Star - A familiar face from Canadian TV appears in the movie. It may not be a big role but his or her name will probably appear on the poster. As glimpsed in: Ginger Snaps, Backcountry.