Pubdate: Thu, 16 Feb 2006
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2006 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Bill Brownstein
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

IN PRAISE OF CANADIAN COOL

What a difference a few months can make. Back in September, when 
Escape to Canada made its world premiere at the now-defunct New 
Montreal FilmFest, this documentary could almost be viewed as a love 
letter to the country, feting our liberal views on same-sex marriage 
and marijuana and lack of military involvement in Iraq. Today, with 
the Conservatives in power, some might now view the movie, making its 
commercial debut tomorrow at the Cinema du Parc, as the stuff of fantasy.

Curiously, the doc's director, Albert Nerenberg, isn't among the 
latter group, those who now believe the legalization of pot is but a 
pipe dream and Canadian military presence in Iraq is a frightening 
possibility. "I'm betting on our film's view still prevailing," says 
the ex-Montrealer now holed up in Toronto. "I believe the 
fundamentals are still in place. Canada is still progressive, 
rational and cool. The genie has been let out of the bottle. 
Marijuana and gay marriage were effectively legal in Canada for some 
time and the sky did not fall. No, this is a movie that will make you 
laugh, make you cry, make you love Canada. In these times, who can 
argue with peace, love and chilling out?"

Why, that might be the man Nerenberg labeled the "Baron of Boring," 
newly minted Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who - by his own 
admission - was "too boring to be an accountant."

"Decisions about same-sex marriage or sending Canadian troops to Iraq 
probably can't be reversed without bringing the government down," 
counters Nerenberg. "That's the beauty of his minority government.

"The Conservatives will in effect serve as a referendum on what kind 
of Canada we get." Pause. "I sincerely apologize for using the 
referendum word, but this film is about the beginning of Canada's 
Quiet Revolution."

Escape to Canada is essentially a chronicle of the battles, not 
always victorious, to make same-sex marriage and marijuana possession 
in Canada legal. But unlike past Nerenberg efforts - the hit docs 
Stupidity and Urban Anglo - this one takes a decidedly more sombre approach.

In spite of cliched shots taken by some right-wing U.S. pundits - 
hello, Tucker Carlson! - it is Nerenberg's contention that a country 
once considered way-cold and white bread is now way-cool and a hot 
destination spot for hip U.S. tourists, that Canada is "the true land 
of the free."

"Now more than ever, Canada could be a refuge for Americans - 
especially with an out-of-control Dick Cheney firing away," cracks 
Nerenberg, who, with his mate and co-producer Shannon Brown, are the 
proud parents of 6-week-old Jane Marlo.

But fatherhood hasn't necessarily mellowed Nerenberg. His next 
project, for CBC-TV, is the comedy doc Let's All Hate Toronto. "There 
are many theories, but the fact is that it's nothing new. It even 
goes back to the days when the Algonquin went there and it was a 
mosquito-infested swamp where no one wanted to live. And now some see 
it more as a banker-infested swamp."

Though Montrealers may believe they hate Hogtown more than most 
Canadians, Nerenberg reports that animosity for the burg is even more 
rampant in other parts of the country. In an effort to measure that 
disdain for his documentary, Nerenberg will be staging Toronto 
Appreciation Days throughout the land. "Whatever the reason, this 
sentiment toward the T-Dot seems to be the one thing that truly 
unites all Canadians. I personally love-hate Toronto, the way I feel 
about an overbearing aunt. I just love Montreal more." Smart.

Seems Nerenberg just might want to come home again.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman