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. History and Hollywood have depicted Mahatma Gandhi as a heroic figure. Here, during the Second World War, the attitude toward the "strangest of modern political figures" and his drive toward Indian independence is not as clear. How do the images shown in the excerpt and the narration depict the independence movement in India and its leaders?
2. The excerpt says that Japan's "rallying cry" was "Asia for the Asiatics." Do you think the excerpt is a defence of the colonial powers in Asia? What evidence can you find?
2. The excerpt says that Japan's "rallying cry" was "Asia for the Asiatics." Do you think the excerpt is a defence of the colonial powers in Asia? What evidence can you find?
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Short Description
The rise of nationalist movements in Asia during World War II. India, under Gandhi's leadership, demands an end to Western rule, while China fights against Japanese conquest.