Biography

Films celebrating the life and times of notable Canadians, past and present.
  • film

    Deepa Mehta in Profile

    Celebrating a true cultural hybrid
    Meet director Deepa Mehta, recipient of this year's Governor General's Performing Arts Award, who for once finds herself on the other side of the camera...
  • film

    Imaginary Heroine

    The girl next door
    This tribute to actress/comedian Mary Walsh on the occasion of her 2012 Governor General's Performing Arts Award is inspired by her play, Dancing With Rage.
  • film

    Inner Rush

    Recipient of the 2012 Governor General's Performing Arts Award
    See a legendary Canadian rock band through the eyes of an aspiring group of musicians, and relive the magic that is Rush.

Films

Paul-André Fortier  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Paul-André Fortier

  • This short film pays tribute to dancer Paul-André Fortier, who for the ...
  • 2012,
  • 5 min 50 s
Mise en Scène  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Mise en Scène

  • This short film is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to award-winning director, writer and ...
  • 2012,
  • 7 min 14 s
Inner Rush  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Inner Rush

  • This short film pays tribute to Rush, one of rock's most ...
  • 2012,
  • 6 min 25 s
Imaginary Heroine  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Imaginary Heroine

  • This short film pays tribute to actress and comedian Mary Walsh. Layering ...
  • 2012,
  • 4 min
Deepa Mehta In Profile  
Available with closed captioning Available in 3d stereoscopy

Deepa Mehta In Profile

  • This short film is a tribute to award-winning director and screenwriter Deepa ...
  • 2012,
  • 6 min 14 s
Denis Marleau  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Denis Marleau

  • This short film pays tribute to Denis Marleau, a major figure in ...
  • 2012,
  • 4 min 53 s
Constellation  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Constellation

  • Combining the music of Chopin with digital animation, this short film artfully ...
  • 2012,
  • 6 min 1 s
Music Is Not a Luxury  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Music Is Not a Luxury

  • This short film pays tribute to Toronto philanthropist Earlaine Collins, recipient of ...
  • 2012,
  • 5 min 5 s
Yvon Deschamps  

Yvon Deschamps

  • This short film pays tribute to one of the founding fathers of ...
  • by Matthieu Bouchard,
  • 2011,
  • 6 min 3 s
What If?  
Available with closed captioning

What If?

  • "Always remember to play," says Leslee Silverman, the visionary force behind the ...
  • by Noam Gonick,
  • 2011,
  • 5 min 16 s
Rated R for Nudity  

Rated R for Nudity

  • In this short film, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve takes a playful stab at ...
  • by ,
  • 2011,
  • 3 min 23 s
Uncommon Hero  

Uncommon Hero

  • This short film pays tribute to Paul Thompson, a man who has ...
  • by John L'Ecuyer,
  • 2011,
  • 4 min 8 s
A Composer's Dream  

A Composer's Dream

  • This short film demonstrates how Howard Shore has distinguished himself as one ...
  • by Barbara Willis-Sweete,
  • 2011,
  • 7 min 37 s
Source  

Source

  • In this short film, Margie Gillis becomes the very embodiment of modern ...
  • by Pepita Ferrari,
  • 2011,
  • 6 min 7 s
William Shatner Sings O Canada  

William Shatner Sings O Canada

  • When William Shatner gets a Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada's Governor ...
  • by Jacob Medjuck,
  • 2011,
  • 5 min 28 s
Brian Macdonald, Virtuoso Eclectic  

Brian Macdonald, Virtuoso Eclectic

  • Framed against archival stills from Brian Macdonald's considerable career, this short ...
  • by Tim Southam,
  • 2008,
  • 5 min 27 s
Family Band  

Family Band

  • In this short documentary about The Tragically Hip, director David Battistella uses ...
  • by David Battistella,
  • 2008,
  • 7 min 28 s
Anton & the Piano  
Available with closed captioning

Anton & the Piano

  • A short film featuring pianist Anton Kuerti. The virtuoso demonstrates the inner ...
  • by David Acomba,
  • 2008,
  • 6 min 3 s
The Real Place  

The Real Place

  • Animator Cam Christiansen gives Texas-born playwright John Murrell's imagination free rein ...
  • by Cam Christiansen,
  • 2009,
  • 5 min 26 s
A Charman Event  

A Charman Event

  • Eric Charman is the life of the party, and not only because ...
  • by Carl Bessai,
  • 2008,
  • 5 min 40 s
Pag  

Pag

  • All his life, Michel Pagliaro (Pag) has been on a quest for ...
  • by Éric Tessier,
  • 2008,
  • 5 min 34 s
Congratulations, Mr. Levy  

Congratulations, Mr. Levy

Dream Magic  

Dream Magic

  • This revealing portrait of NFB filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin was shown at a ...
  • by Katerina Cizek,
  • 2008,
  • 4 min 41 s
The Whirlwind of Your Passion: A Philanthropist's Dream  
Available with closed captioning

The Whirlwind of Your Passion: A Philanthropist's Dream

Edith Butler - Daughter of the Wind and Acadie  
Available with closed captioning

Edith Butler - Daughter of the Wind and Acadie

  • Combining interviews with teachers, admirers and musical peers, as well as footage ...
  • by Monique LeBlanc,
  • 2009,
  • 5 min 53 s
Clémence Desrochers - Clémence Among the Gods  
Available with closed captioning

Clémence Desrochers - Clémence Among the Gods

  • Director Philippe Baylaucq captures Clémence Desrochers in total candidness, as she recounts ...
  • by Philippe Baylaucq,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 51 s
Robert Lepage  
Available with closed captioning

Robert Lepage

  • Director J. Peter Allen borrows a page from Robert Lepage's favourite ...
  • by Jeremy Peter Allen,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 14 s
Listen  
Available with closed captioning

Listen

  • "A soundscape is any collection of sounds, almost like a painting is ...
  • by David New,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 21 s
Capturing George  

Capturing George

  • George F. Walker's career has spanned almost four decades, but Rolly ...
  • by Scott Smith,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 7 s
Remembrance  

Remembrance

  • An award-winning actor, writer, producer and director, Paul Gross has struggled to ...
  • by Randy Bradshaw,
  • 2009,
  • 4 min 54 s
Peggy Baker: Four Phrases  
Available with closed captioning

Peggy Baker: Four Phrases

  • Built around an intimate interview with the acclaimed Canadian dancer and choreographer ...
  • by Howie Shia,
  • 2009,
  • 5 min 25 s
Buffy  
Available with closed captioning Available in 3d stereoscopy

Buffy

  • Folk music icon Buffy Sainte-Marie became internationally renowned with her protest song ...
  • by John Walker,
  • 2010,
  • 6 min 16 s
The Impresario  

The Impresario

  • Walter Homburger helped bring Glenn Gould and a succession of other great ...
  • by Anita Doron,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 5 s
When You Give of Yourself  
Available with closed captioning

When You Give of Yourself

  • Mohammed and Yulanda Faris are generous and devoted patrons of the arts ...
  • by Lynne Stopkewich,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 46 s
The Sentry  
Available with closed captioning

The Sentry

  • Actor Françoise Faucher has embodied some of the greatest roles in French ...
  • by ONFB,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min
Lock  
Available with closed captioning

Lock

  • Choreographer Edouard Lock believes that movement embodies our interests and desires. In ...
  • by Louise Archambault,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 24 s
Bryan Adams: Bare Bones  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Bryan Adams: Bare Bones

  • Bryan Adams is one of world’s most enduringly popular singer/songwriters ...
  • by David Battistella,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 16 s
Move Your Mind  
Available with closed captioning

Move Your Mind

  • Faith. Heart. Imagination. These are the principles to which director Robin Phillips ...
  • by Hubert Davis,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 51 s
Available for download
Yannick Nézet-Séguin: No Intermission  

Yannick Nézet-Séguin: No Intermission

  • He is a young man; an optimist drawn to dark music and ...
  • by Theodore Ushev,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 54 s
Available for download
The Sword of the Lord  

The Sword of the Lord

  • This documentary records the extraordinary determination of Jungle Jim Hunter to be ...
  • by Giles Walker,
  • 1976,
  • 57 min 50 s
The Quest  

The Quest

  • This short film is a re-enactment of the critical year in Dr ...
  • by Stanley Jackson,
  • 1958,
  • 38 min 13 s
Available for download
Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry  

Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry

Available for download
Margaret Atwood: Once in August  

Margaret Atwood: Once in August

  • In Margaret Atwood: Once in August, filmmaker Michael Rubbo attempts to discover ...
  • by Michael Rubbo,
  • 1984,
  • 57 min 25 s
Available for download
Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen  

Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen

Available for download
Lonely Boy  

Lonely Boy

Lismer  

Lismer

  • This short documentary looks at the work of artist Arthur Lismer, a ...
  • by Allan Wargon,
  • 1951,
  • 19 min 10 s
The Kid Who Couldn't Miss  

The Kid Who Couldn't Miss

  • Paul Cowan's feature-length film combines fiction and reality to tell the ...
  • by Paul Cowan,
  • 1982,
  • 79 min 16 s
I Don't Have to Work that Big  

I Don't Have to Work that Big

  • A short documentary about sculptor Joe Fafard. Joe knows cows. He knows ...
  • by Michael McKennirey,
  • 1973,
  • 27 min 20 s
Available for download
Hofmann's Potion  
Available with closed captioning

Hofmann's Potion

  • This documentary offers a compassionate, open-minded look at LSD and how it ...
  • by Connie Littlefield,
  • 2002,
  • 56 min 35 s
Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows  
Available with closed captioning

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

  • In this feature-length documentary, director Paul Jay was given unprecedented access to ...
  • by Paul Jay,
  • 1998,
  • 93 min 36 s
Available for download
Varley  

Varley

  • A portrait of Frederick Varley, Canadian painter and member of the Group ...
  • by Allan Wargon,
  • 1953,
  • 16 min 23 s
Available for download
Ten Million Books: An Introduction to Farley Mowat  

Ten Million Books: An Introduction to Farley Mowat

  • Farley Mowat has sold more books than any other Canadian writer – 10 ...
  • by Andy Thomson,
  • 1981,
  • 25 min 15 s
Available for download
Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame  

Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame

  • This feature documentary traces the political career of T.C. (Tommy) Douglas ...
  • by Elise Swerhone,
  • 1986,
  • 57 min 47 s
Dashan - Ambassador to China's Funny Bone  
Available with closed captioning

Dashan - Ambassador to China's Funny Bone

  • This documentary introduces us to Mark Rowswell, a Canadian comedian virtually unknown ...
  • by Guy Nantel,
  • 1996,
  • 50 min
David Fennario's Banana Boots  
Available with closed captioning

David Fennario's Banana Boots

  • This documentary invites you to join acclaimed playwright David Fennario for a ...
  • by Alec MacLeod,
  • 1998,
  • 48 min 20 s
Available for download
The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle   

The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle

  • The final instalment of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1986,
  • 87 min 2 s
Available for download
The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power   

The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power

  • Part 2 of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau and ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1978,
  • 55 min 35 s
Available for download
The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors  

The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors

  • In Part 1 of this 3-part documentary series, director Donald Brittain chronicles ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1978,
  • 57 min 10 s
Available for download
Democracy on Trial: The Morgentaler Affair  

Democracy on Trial: The Morgentaler Affair

  • Paul Cowan's film captures the spirit of the legal battle over ...
  • by Paul Cowan,
  • 1984,
  • 58 min 42 s
Buster Keaton Rides Again  

Buster Keaton Rides Again

  • In this film Keaton rides across Canada on a railway scooter and ...
  • by John Spotton,
  • 1965,
  • 55 min 25 s
Available for download
Bethune  

Bethune

  • This feature documentary is a biography of Dr. Norman Bethune, the Canadian ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1964,
  • 58 min 38 s
Alter Egos  

Alter Egos

  • In this award-winning animated documentary we meet two unusual artists. Ryan Larkin ...
  • by Laurence Green,
  • 2004,
  • 52 min 27 s
30 Minutes, Mister Plummer  

30 Minutes, Mister Plummer

  • This short documentary profiles Canadian actor Christopher Plummer of the Shakespearean Theater ...
  • by Anne Claire Poirier,
  • 1963,
  • 27 min 29 s
Claude Jutra: An Unfinished Story  
Available with closed captioning

Claude Jutra: An Unfinished Story

  • Like a shadow play, this feature doc explores the complex personality of ...
  • by Paule Baillargeon,
  • 2002,
  • 82 min 17 s
Remembering Arthur  

Remembering Arthur

  • In this feature length documentary, filmmaker Arthur Lipsett's close friend Martin ...
  • by Martin Lavut,
  • 2006,
  • 89 min 54 s
Available for download
Notman's World  

Notman's World

  • This documentary short is a portrait of Canadian photographer William Notman. Photography ...
  • 1989,
  • 29 min 7 s
Available for download
Jack Kerouac's Road - A Franco-American Odyssey  

Jack Kerouac's Road - A Franco-American Odyssey

Available for download
Grierson  

Grierson

  • This feature film is a portrait of John Grierson, the first Canadian ...

  • 1973,
  • 57 min 50 s
Poet: Irving Layton Observed  

Poet: Irving Layton Observed

  • This feature documentary is a portrait of the life and work of ...
  • 1986,
  • 52 min 3 s
Max Ward  
Available in 3d stereoscopy

Max Ward

  • This documentary tells the story of Max Ward, a former bush pilot ...
  • 1984,
  • 50 min 17 s
Available for download
Joe  
Available with closed captioning Available in 3d stereoscopy

Joe

  • This animated short tells the story of Seraphim "Joe" Fortes, one of ...
  • 2002,
  • 8 min 51 s
Devil You Know: Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane  
Available with closed captioning

Devil You Know: Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane

  • This feature documentary is a profile of one of the most fascinating ...
  • 2000,
  • 76 min 59 s