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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman