That wasn‘t a bad flick. You‘ll find it under the title "Peacekeepers" (1997). It wasn‘t bad all things considered - low budget by US standards, had many of the stereotypes, etc...
Try this one, "Going Home" (1987). Nicholas Campbell as Cpl. Brill. A shellshocked sniper in WW1. The flick has 3 parts. Flashbacks to horror of no mans land, a love story with an English girl, and finally, the reason the film was made. This flick was set in Wales in 1919. Ringing any bells?
http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSFeatures0105/02_soldiers-cp.html
This is only one example. Do further research on your own as to moments such as this. You won‘t find them on any regimental battle honours.
Honestly, I can‘t think of positive Canadian War movies with a contemporary theme. Going back a little, there‘s "The Devils Brigade" (1968). There‘s a good one. Obviously filmed in the 60‘s (this was common though, accuracy of hairstyles, sets and clothing wasn‘t a priority, you see this in many flicks of the period) the inaccuracies are laughable now. The kilted Canadians arriving with the Bagpipes proudly playing. The best of the best of the Canadian regiments paired up with criminals and louts. The worst of the American military. (Showing that their worst are equal to our best? Nice touch) Not exactly historically accurate.
"Patlabor 2" (anime, 1990) has a great line when prototype mech vehicles are being decimated by infantry with armour support in South East Asia circa 2000.
"Stand by, Canadian peacekeepers are enroute."
Sums that one up as to how we‘re viewed, I thought it was kind of cool.
You get the idea. Anyone think of any other films that highlight Canadian Combat? Usually we‘re supporting players in US films. Even the Aussies have their films "Breaker Morant", "Gallipolli". Ok, not exactly pro war movies, but at least their taking a stance as to their military heritage. They don‘t appreciate being fodder. "Attack Force Z" highlighted ANZAC special forces in WW2 - and was a Mel Gibson vehicle, ‘nuff said.
All countried engage in some form of propaganda in one form or another. The recruiting videos are laughable. What film school reject from NFB was responsilbe for those? Commercials before the movie in a theatre? Why not make a movie and get some return for it. I‘m not kidding when I implied that "BlackHawk Down" is a tool for recruitment. Ridley Scott may not intend for it to be so, but I have lived in the US since that film came out and it‘s on the list of films mentioned by people when they imagine "how cool" combat is and how much they‘d like to participate. I have a US friend who enrolled in the Army with "BHD" and "Socom: Navy SEALS" on his mind.
The Pentagon has a company set up in Hollywood and they are actively working with Hollywood (you want to make a military themed movie and have realism? We have the bases, vehicles and personnel. It‘s basically an exercise when you want to film combat. Here‘s what we want in return, etc...) They are also active in the video game market.
http://www.americasarmy.com/
Anyone feel like trying out for the US armed forces? You submit your qualifications to the military as you play. It‘s a part of their recruitment. 21st century anyone?
What is our military doing? I saw one decent commercial, but it wasn‘t appropriate. I don‘t know of many people who enjoy commercials before a film. I already paid to get in. The commercial itself showed a bit of this and that. Young people looking hard doing interesting things. I suppose, but I still had to explain to my friends what each element was and answer questions as they are uninitiated and didn‘t "get" it. Contrast to American commercials. "Hi, we‘ll train you well, to blow **** up." Keeping it simple, gotta love those Yanks eh?
Telefilm Canada (I could be mistaken about the agency title, apologies if I‘m incorrect) is attempting to break into mainstream movies. They want to increase Canadian content films that are actually watched (ie. $$$)) as opposed to ending up on the "Best Foreign Film list" at the Oscars. "Foolproof" (2003) was their first attempt. They advertised it, and it wasn‘t the worst movie. But it still didn‘t come together. How about a movie about the PPCLI kicking *** in Afghanistan last year? It‘s going to be made eventually, I‘d prefer to see it with troops sporting a Maple Leaf, than the Star Spangled Banner.
Thoughts?