Politics and History
From its beginnings, the National Film Board has tackled social and economic issues. Excerpts in this theme show how documentary film can play a part in social action.
Excerpts
Front of Steel
1
"I Just Didn't Want to Die": The 1914 Newfoundland Sealing Disaster
1
"Just One Big Mess": The Halifax Explosion, 1917
1
Land For Pioneers
1
On Strike: The Winnipeg General Strike, 1919
1
Rush for Gold - The Klondike Gold Rush, 1897
1
"They Didn't Starve Us Out": Industrial Cape Breton in the 1920s
1
Trans-Canada Express
1
Voice of Action
1
When Asia Speaks
1
Questions
1. This excerpt from the wartime movie delivers three messages: Canadian workers are skilled; Canada's contribution to the war effort is important to the Allied cause; and industry is cooperating for the war effort. What does the film show and say to reinforce these three messages?
2. How does the repeated use of numbers make the arguments convincing?
3. This movie could have been a passionless depiction of assembly lines. How has the filmmaker made it more emotionally effective?
2. How does the repeated use of numbers make the arguments convincing?
3. This movie could have been a passionless depiction of assembly lines. How has the filmmaker made it more emotionally effective?
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Short Description
The modern warfare of World War II needed steel and steel workers. In Canada, Bren guns, ambulances, transport trucks and submarine chasers were manufactured to meet military needs.