Canada hits above her weight as far as creatives in the film industry are concerned. Not only is this an occasion for national pride, its interesting to see how Canadian filmmakers have navigated through their own personal branding to stake their place it become Canadian filmmakers known in Europe.
Have a look at these creatives, and see what you can learn that’s relative for your own career
Canadian Film Directors
David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg is one of the best Canadian movie directors, screenwriters, and actors specialising in directing horror movies. Not only has Cronenberg’s films won various awards, but he also has millions of fans worldwide.
Even critics appreciate the innovation and creativity Cronenberg brings in the horror genre of the Canadian film industry. Some of the top David Cronenberg’s movies are Videodrome (1983), the Fly (1986), the Dead Zone (1983), the Brood (1979), Naked Lunch (1991), Crash (1996), Maps to the Stars (2014).
In addition, Cronenberg makes substantial efforts to employ horror and science fiction characteristics in his movies using different techniques and technological aspects, causing viewers on the edge of their seats while watching a movie.
Of special interest is how his debut movies were done with minimal budget, Raindance style.
2. Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve is a Montreal-based movie director and writer famous for directing sensitive, inventive, and visually intensive science-fiction movies. Villeneuve has directed numerous movies, and each film focuses on human issues like pain, sorrows, suffering, dark nature, trauma, dilemmas, etc.
The cutting-edge elements, intense, thrilling story, and unmatched cinematics make Villeneuve the best director. Some of the best movies directed by Denis Villeneuve are Arrival (2016), Dune (2021), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Incendies (2010), and Prisoners (2013). Each movie will give you a thrilling experience and feel delighted to watch.
3. Norman Jewison
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Norman Jewison is one of the best Canadian directors with various blockbuster television series and films. Jewison is famous for depicting and showcasing the American social traumas and problems in his movies.
Besides, Norman Jewison has won many awards for his splendid work, including the best director at the Berlin Film Festival, Director Guilds’ lifetime achievement awards, BAFTA award, and many others.
It is always an amusement to watch Norman Jewison’s blockbuster movies, including F.I.S.T (1979), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), a soldier’s Story (1984), Best Friends (1982), and Bogus (1986).
Moreover, Jewison is different from other American and Canadian directors because he uses a blend of various genres to ensure entertainment, comedy, visual appeal, and thrill to keep audiences challenged.
4. Denys Arcand
Denys Arcand is one of the top Canadian movie directors who has earned a reputation for movies in various genres, including art, life, trauma, violence, human suffering, and political thrillers.
Arcand’s intellectual curiosity, commitment, and passion for state-of-the-art movies with innovative cinematics, story, script, dialogues, and cohesive entertainment make him a creative director.
Denys Arcand has won many awards, including Crane Grand Prix in 1989, Academy awards for the best international feature film in 2004, Cesar Award for best film and best director in 2004, and many more.
Some of the blockbuster movies directed by this renowned Canadian film director are the Barbarian (2003), the Decline of the American Empire (1986), Days of Darkness (2007), and Cotton Mill, Treadmill (1976).
His first english language film, the brilliant Love and Human Remain, premiered at Raindance in 1993
5. Deepa Mehta
Deepa Mehta is a famous producer and director who has received global acclaim for her state-of-the-art, provocative, emotional, and thought-stimulating movies, especially on social justice, human rights, crime, heroic, musical, drama, and romantic genres.
Some of her best movies are the trilogy Fire (1996), Earth (1998), Midnight Children (2012), Water (2005), and Funny Boy (2020). Deepa Mehta is also well-known for her work in Bollywood cinema, adding Hindi elements to most of her movies.
Anyway, each movie is the epitome of creativity that showcases her essence for vivid cinematography. Mehta won Canadian Screen Award for best screenplay in 2003 and the Canadian Lifetime achievement award in 2019.
6. Elliot Grove
Elliot Grove was born and raised in an Amish/Mennonite community just north of Toronto. He was always told never to go to the movie theatre, ‘Because the devil lived there”.
His first movie experience was on a hot summers day. A part on the farm broke down, and he, at the age of 16, was sent ionto the blacksmiths to get the repair. Realising it would take three long hours for the repair, and not worth the tri back to the home farm, he found the Devil’s cinema, just up from the house of the Lord. he paid his 99 cents, and went in. They turned the lights off, the curtains opened and the fiorst face of the devil saw at the most tender age of sixteen, was, Lassie Come Home.
Eliot founded Raindance anfdthe British Independent Film Awards. He has producer 9 features and over 700 shorts. he has absolutely NO film school training. And he presents the Saturday Film School in Toronto February 11th.
Here is a feature film he producer for less than $100,000.
Did You Know?
I’m 23 years old from Tulsa Oklahoma, involved in athletics and arts since I was young.
I’ve volunteered at art centers, theaters and small festivals back home.
I went to school for cosmetology. After graduation I worked in a spa and salon behind the chair doing hair, makeup and nails. I am one of the interns at Raindance. My goal is to be involved in marketing and filmmaking from styling hair and makeup for actors on set to editing clips behind the scenes.
