No Oscar for Villeneuve

Incendies lost for Best Foreign Language Film but at least we got nominated...

Should the CRTC Regulate Internet Content with Canadian Standards?

I came across this in my studies recently and it is a interesting argument. The CRTC regulates Canadian radio and TV to maintain a certain amount of Canadian content. This promotes and protects Canadian artistic work which would be swallowed up by the American market without it. Now with the internet that truly is a global force perhaps it is time to force international sites to maintain a amount of Canadian content. For example if Netflix or Hula create a Canadian site as many users hope the CRTC could create standards that 40% of their advertising has to come from Canadian sources. I personally think this is a great idea as it would not only promote Canadian companies and artists but also prove to Canadian citizens then even going online is not a escape from being Canadian. We should protect our national identity and regulate the internet to further promote Canadian activities.

Is there a Canadian in the audience?

The Oscars are coming up this week and I am sure many people will be watching them. There is some Canadian representation with Barney's Version getting nominated for Best Makeup (although I am sure many critics feel it should have been given a best picture nod) and Denis Villeneuve's Incendies as best Foreign Language Film. However, how many Canadians will watch the Genie's just a week later where we honour Canadian films? Perhaps not as many. It's a shame because the Genie's highlight the talent we have in Canada with Barney's Version leading with 13 nominations. Even "genre pics" like Splice actually get nominated at the Genie's unlike the Oscars that largely snub genre movies. I suggest everyone just tune in for the Genie's and experience a awards night that we can actually relate to. It's not everyday where most if not all the winners are fellow Canucks.

This is Not a Charity, It's a Business

So, ladies and gentlemen, here is topic that is relevant to today in my eyes. Being apart of a family business, one sees things. No, we are not talking crazy drama, but enough to question the extent of crap one is willing to take from the world around them. For instance, at work today, yes I have the unfortunate pleasure of working for my parents, a frequent ( a massive nuisance) came in. This individual, brought food for us to cook!! Can you believe that! She actually brought stuff that she wanted as a meal for preparation. I was so ready to blow up in her face. I mean really, who does something like that. On top of it all, she consistently asks for money to borrow. I am not a cheap person when I see the individual working or at least trying to. This is a grown adult, dependant on others and unwilling to get of her keester. Hence my title, THIS IS NOT A CHARITY, IT'S A BUSINESS. We work to pay our bills, send ourselves to be educated, and overall survive. Get with the program. It's a shame that we are taken advantaged of. Especially when its based off of the efforts of those close to you. However, not everyone is this way. It's conforting to know that their are people who respect the hardwork put forth by a small independant business. To those who know what im talking about, speak up! We didn't get anywhere in life by relying on other people. One has to make an independant effort if they want any change in their circumstance. Well that's all for now, hopefully one is spared a similar instance for a short while.

What counts as Canadian heritage?

Our tax dollars are used to build community centers, dance halls, supporting various museums and art galleries. However, who get's to define what pieces of architecture deserve funding or more importantly is there meaning to be found beyond the standard definition of heritage? Take the recent controversy about the possible federal funding for the arena in Quebec City. Looking past this as a political move on the part of Stephen Harper is looking to pick up seats in Quebec for his majority many citizens have been wondering if funding a place like a arena is worth it? Now an arena provides us with a different type of culture and side of Canadian life. Sport as some authors call it is important to the Canadian lifestyle no matter what culture your from. Health experts encourage parents to enter their kids in leagues to foster their teamwork skills and of course get them off that couch. We can see this no better then the Vancouver Olympics. Though I do not remember where I was when Sydney Crosby scored the "Golden Goal" I remember watching that last few minutes. According to the CBC almost 1/3 of Canadians watched that moment which was a broadcasting record. No matter how you slice it sport is a important part of Canadian life. I think it is worthy of federal funding and contributes to the Canadian cultural theme enormously even if we look down upon it compared to say a art gallery.

Now recently there was talk around the Toronto Stock Exchange merging with the London Stock Exchange. Nationalists saw this as giving up Canadian sovereignty and having less control over our own economic fortunes. I doubt this will happen. Even if Harper approves the deal, which he will not, both Ontario and Quebec (since the Toronto Stock Exchange merged with the Montreal Stock Exchange) would use their veto's. A stock exchange is not exactly the first thing that comes into someones mind when they think about Canadian culture. However, it in a notable Canadian institution controlled by Canadians. I would prevent this deal strictly on the grounds of Canadian sovereignty and that we were not getting a fair share of the economic pie. Beyond this we can see that even a "private building" deserves just as much attention as that public library or arena.

Canadian heritage is a tricky subject especially when funding is involved. Canadian culture has been called dynamic. So, let's keep up that standard and fund or support something non-standard. Is that not the Canadian way?

The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood's novel discusses some serious issues of a dystopian society centered on misogyny. Not trying to sound like a feminist, but this futuristic horror is quite literally a women hating society. There is an ultimate form of patriarchy where the male is favoured. The government system is ruled by men and only they are in control of the most powerful positions. Unfortunantely, women act as the scapegoat for human vices and are punished as a result. Not only are they referred to as "two legged wombs", but they are "enchained to their biological destinies". This sense of "Biological Essentialism" defined women's nature as weak and susceptible to folly. While men are sided with the positive binary aspects such as mind/spirit, women are sided with body/matter allowing the control of their bodies for state purpose within the novel.This satirical work targets women instead of using them as agents of exposing some flaw in society. The feminizing of the target further humiliates them. I really enjoyed this novel despite women being pitted against one another to reproduce in order to better their circumstance in life. The social rankings of handmaid, nurse, all come about according to their function. There is more to this novel than I am mentioning. It serves more as a warning to societies who seem to be on this pathway to an extreme. On the flip side, despite men being in control, their are patriarchal social values that restrict them. All the classes of men have their sexualities regulated, the top ranking or "Commander's" are lonley despite their freedom, it is only to regenerate the population, so there is no genuine interaction. Furthermore, both sexes are infantilized. Even as adults, no one is taken seriously. The characters/citizens within the Republic of Gilead are surpressed that at any minute a reader would imagine them to explode. Anyway, this was just a little interpretation of my reading of the novel. I definitley promote it to anyone who likes to challenge their familiarity with satire and feminism and have the two combined in one spot.

Welcome to The Loon,

Here at The Loon we value open dialogue, civil communication and an interactive experience to ensure that your perspectives are highlighted. We are dedicated to having discussions on all aspects of Canadian culture beyond the classroom or morning paper. The silent citizen is the defeated citizen. From the simple act of participating in a church rally or a mass protest, we are all capable of challenging and changing the world around us.

It can start with simply posting your thoughts or critiquing the written word of someone else.

Let this be your beginning but certainly not the end. Debate is the heart of society. Make something out of it. 

Respectively,

The Editors of The Loon