Exotica

I just recently watched the Canadian film Exotica directed by Atom Egoyan (one our most talented directors) and it was a realistic perspective on the life of a stripper. Now before you try to wipe that look of shame off your face let me explain the film. For the average film viewer a movie about a prostitute might seem inappropriate; Hollywood just banking on flesh and curves. That may be true for movies like Pamela Anderson's Barb Wire. However, Egoyan provides a gritty, contemporary view on the occupation of stripping. The movie will surprise you. The director slowly reveals twist and turns until the end of the film where your left thinking what does this all mean? You might have second thoughts on the occupation of stripping and the people who go there.

I think Canadian films have that magical quality. They surprise you. If the average Hollywood budget for a film these days is 100 million then Canadian films generally clock in at 1 million. The difference is almost unbelievable. Yet Canadian directors work with what they have. You can see that every dollar put into the film is necessary and stretched. They tackle subjects that are close to home. Special effects and larger then life stars cannot save these films. No. Canadian films are totally dependent on the quality of the direction, acting, writing and other elements that many people fail to acknowledge when watching film these days like editing, lighting, costumes, the score (the music in the film) and production design.

Now not every Canadian film is golden, our system produces bombs just any other. However, pick up a Canadian film and try to find a American counterpart. You might just be shocked at the quality of film-making north of the border.