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
"I Just Didn't Want to Die": The 1914 Newfoundland Sealing Disaster
"Just One Big Mess": The Halifax Explosion, 1917
Land For Pioneers
On Strike: The Winnipeg General Strike, 1919
Rush for Gold - The Klondike Gold Rush, 1897
"They Didn't Starve Us Out": Industrial Cape Breton in the 1920s
Trans-Canada Express
Voice of Action
When Asia Speaks
Questions
1. What techniques does the excerpt use to capture the emotional reality of the historical event? Are they effective?
2. How does the narration combine two kinds of history: the personal history of events as they are experienced and the "textbook" history of events that are studied?
2. How does the narration combine two kinds of history: the personal history of events as they are experienced and the "textbook" history of events that are studied?




