These five contemporary Canadian films marry moviemaking and visual storytelling to produce stimulating experiences for art and film lovers.
By: Madeline Liao
Films are often considered works of art. There are some, however, with more visually artistic aspects than others. Some films incorporate extraordinary efforts of creative directions in methods of costume, makeup, cinematography, and more. Here is a list of five Canadian films that could very well be screen-capped and put on a gallery wall.
Heartbeats 2010
Heartbeats follows two best friends, Francis and Marie, as they compete for the affections of Nicolas, a seemingly charming flirt, all while jeopardizing their friendship within this love triangle.
Directed and created by Xavier Dolan in 2010, the film employs vibrant colour schemes and lighting techniques to convey a story that is not only expressive but also visually appealing. Dolan’s directorial range comes through in this film as he brings in a unique extravagance and daydream effect to some scenes.
Heartbeats was nominated for various awards, including Best Cinematography at the 2011 Genie Awards. Although it appears to be just a fluffy love story, the film rises above that and shows Dolan’s talent as a young filmmaker.
Mauldie 2017
Co-produced in Canada and Ireland, Maudie is a biographical film that is based on the life of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis.
The film is incredibly beautiful and really takes advantage of the artistic influence in Lewis’ story. . Maudie as a whole represents Lewis’ creative life and incorporates the essence of the main character as a painter in Nova Scotia. The trailer alone shows the contrast between Maud’s dynamic paintings on the bland walls of her room. Maudie was also praised for its 1930s costume designs and even won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Costume Design in 2018.
Firecracker 2018
Firecrackers, written and directed by Jasmin Mozaffari, is a full-length extension of her short film of the same name. This film follows two best friends, Lou and Chantal, as they strive to escape the complications of their small-town lives.
Mozaffari does an excellent job of portraying the characters’ aspirations for freedom through cinematography. As described by Variety, “Mozaffari presents their situation in a way that feels like having your head forced underwater, where we share the characters’ difficulty to breathe.” The film’s use of complementary orange and blue tones made it a visual gem. The visually appealing scenery of a rural Ontario environment also paired well with the depth of the story itself.
The film was nominated for Best Costume Design at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards and won the award for Best Editing.
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019)
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open is a beautiful film that shows the journey of two Indigenous women of evidently differing social circumstances, as they help each other through individual struggles.
This film is unique as it incorporated a continuous shot effect. Shot on 16mm film, The Body Remembers takes viewers on the characters’ journey as if the camera is following along in real-time, an effect that is seldom seen in modern cinema. The film, directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Kathleen Hepburn, shows an authentic point of view and transports the viewer into their harrowing narratives.
The Body Remembers was praised for its cinematography and even won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Cinematography.
Laurence, Anyways (2012)
Another piece by Xavier Dolan, Laurence, Anyways follows the main character, Laurence, through her journey as a trans woman. The film touches on her relationship with her former girlfriend, Fred, chronicling how the transition is impacting Laurence and the people she loves.
At a young age, Dolan has really made his impact in the Canadian film world. He has a distinct artistic style in his filmmaking and it shows throughout all of his pieces. This film has a stunning ‘90s based soundtrack that tells a story on its own. Laurence, Anyways also uses striking colours that convey the emotions of the characters in each scene. Additionally, the extravagant makeup and styling in the film bring a completely different artistic factor into the piece. Laurence’s confidence and emotions can be visualized through the outfits she picks and her makeup.
While some people have been opposed to the length of the film, the time that Dolan takes to tell this story can also be seen as a nuanced artistic choice.
The film earned several accolades, including Best Makeup and Best Costume Design at the Canadian Screen Awards and the Jutra Award for Best Art Direction.