Reel Wednesday - NFB Films

Escape to Canada ~ 2005, 81 min 02 s
Around the world, Canada is known for its beavers, Mounties and winter climate, but a new image of the country is emerging.
Director Albert Nerenberg, the man behind the indie-doc hit Stupidity, explores Canada’s new personality in this high-energy feature film, Escape to Canada.
The story begins in 2003 when by apparent coincidence, gay marriage is legalized and the prohibition of marijuana is removed on the same day.
Soon Canadians are not the only ones enjoying their newly forged liberties. Citizens from «The Land of the Free» flock across the border to marry their same-sex partners. Others come to smoke marijuana. AWOL U.S. army soldiers arrive seeking refugee status. To many, Canada has become a red-and-white beacon of freedom around the world.
In other words, cold Canada could suddenly be cool.

Escape to Canada examines the nation’s unlikely ‘freedom fighters’ who challenge laws and old customs, then must confront the consequences. A couple, known as the Michaels, unleashes the gay marriage trend with their own impromptu wedding. Marc Emery, ‘The Prince of Pot,’ travels the country smoking monster joints in front of police stations, daring the police to arrest him. Brandon Hughey, an ex-U.S. soldier, escapes to Canada to avoid America’s war for ‘freedom’ in the Middle East.
But within months, Canada re-criminalizes marijuana and suddenly there’s a new campaign to turn back gay marriage.
In his signature no-holds-barred style, Nerenberg weaves these compelling stories into a tongue-in-cheek argument for Canada’s place in the world.

Squamish Adventure Centre.
National Film Board.
$7.00.
7:00 pm.
Come early, seating is limited.