A. Authors & FilmmakersThe Apprenticeship of Modecai Richler EVR/897/002M11

Earle Birney: Portrait of A Poet
Donald Winkler     NFB: 1981     Length: 53 min 09 sec

Writer, scholar, activist, Earle Birney is revered as the grand old man of Canadian poetry. In this intimate profile, Birney speaks lovingly of his craft and explains the process of translating poetic inspiration into a successful work of art. Highlighting this one-hour film are excerpts from his moving epic David, the lyric poem From the Hazel Bough, and Alaska Passage, which Birney performs with the percussion group Nexus.~ from National Film Board of Canada

Roch Carrier: Storyteller Supreme
Claire Helman     NFB: 1991     Length: 25 min 37 sec

This profile of Quebec author Roch Carrier follows him from a lively English classroom to his favourite French restaurant. Excerpts from five Carrier novels, read by the author, reveal his more reflective side and capture his familiar story-telling charm. The video includes an excerpt from the NFB's animated version of The Sweater and commentary by Carrier's chief translator, Sheila Fischman.~ from National Film Board of Canada

Produced in 1965, this is an informal portrait of the Montreal poet, novelist, and songwriter, Leonard Cohen. He is seen reading his poetry to a rapt audience and also alone, or relaxing with family and friends. (Also included in Two Men of Montreal, title code: 106B 0165 143; available also with discussion by Donald Brittain in Brittain on Brittain - Program 7: Ladies & Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen, Small Is Beautiful, title code: 111C 0189 190.) (Awards: Toronto; New York; Philadelphia.)~ from National Film Board of Canada

I'm Your Man: Set to the Leonard Cohen song of the same name, this irreverent animated film plays on the conventions and cliche of romance (4 min. 32 sec.). Poen: In this 1967 film, Leonard Cohen reads and re-reads a prose poem from his novel Beautiful Losers as diverse photographs flash by, juxtaposing word and image for a different effect each time (4 min. 35 sec.). A Kite Is a Victim: "Worthy, lyric and pure," a line from this early Cohen poem, describes this animated short and the poetry itself. Excerpt from Poets on Film No. 1 (1 min. 25 sec.). Angel: A man, a woman and a dog take turns donning wings in this 1966 experimental film that both mocks and embodies the spirit of its decade. Featuring music and an uncredited appearance by Leonard Cohen (6 min. 55 sec.).

~ from National Film Board of Canada

CANADIAN AUTHORS 1--Atwood EVR/897/017M11

Atwood and Family. (29:39) This study of one of Canada's most elusive literary figures takes place during a quiet encounter on Atwood's island retreat. The author and the filmmaker discuss what shapes Atwood's fiction and what motivates her characters.
Ten Million Books: An Introduction to Farley Mowat (25: 15)
Darts in the Dark: An Introduction to W.O. Mitchell (15:35).

Terence Macartney-Filgate.  NFB: 1992.  Length: 57:25.

MARGARET ATWOOD : ONCE IN AUGUST  EVR/897/006M11

Still Waters: The Poetry of P.K.Page.

Donald Winkler.  NFB: 1991.  Length: 38:05.

This film profiling Canadian poet, Al Purdy, illuminates an artist who is seemingly artless. An apparently casual assemblage of images and words catches the paradox of a poet distrustful of false sentiments. Purdy talks about his work, and fellow poets Margaret Atwood, Dennis Lee, and Irving Layton describe how he has found an authentic voice for Canadian experience. It is a film of interest to students and teachers of Canadian literature, and others wishing to understand why Al Purdy is considered our national poet.~ from National Film Board of Canada

Entrevue avec Robert Lepage (The Seven Faces of Robert Lepage).   Cinema 3180 B. E. Inc. Cinema 3180 B. E. Inc. 51min 46 sec. Documentary.