IN PRAISE OF CANADIAN COOL

What a difference a few months can make. Back in September, when
Escape to Canada made its world premiere at the now-defunct New
Montreal FilmFest, this documentary could almost be viewed as a love
letter to the country, feting our liberal views on same-sex marriage
and marijuana and lack of military involvement in Iraq. Today, with
the Conservatives in power, some might now view the movie, making its
commercial debut tomorrow at the Cinema du Parc, as the stuff of fantasy.

Curiously, the doc's director, Albert Nerenberg, isn't among the
latter group, those who now believe the legalization of pot is but a
pipe dream and Canadian military presence in Iraq is a frightening
possibility. "I'm betting on our film's view still prevailing," says
the ex-Montrealer now holed up in Toronto. "I believe the
fundamentals are still in place. Canada is still progressive,
rational and cool. The genie has been let out of the bottle.
Marijuana and gay marriage were effectively legal in Canada for some
time and the sky did not fall. No, this is a movie that will make you
laugh, make you cry, make you love Canada. In these times, who can
argue with peace, love and chilling out?"

Why, that might be the man Nerenberg labeled the "Baron of Boring,"
newly minted Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who - by his own
admission - was "too boring to be an accountant."

"Decisions about same-sex marriage or sending Canadian troops to Iraq
probably can't be reversed without bringing the government down,"
counters Nerenberg. "That's the beauty of his minority government.

"The Conservatives will in effect serve as a referendum on what kind
of Canada we get." Pause. "I sincerely apologize for using the
referendum word, but this film is about the beginning of Canada's
Quiet Revolution."

Escape to Canada is essentially a chronicle of the battles, not
always victorious, to make same-sex marriage and marijuana possession
in Canada legal. But unlike past Nerenberg efforts - the hit docs
Stupidity and Urban Anglo - this one takes a decidedly more sombre approach.

In spite of cliched shots taken by some right-wing U.S. pundits -
hello, Tucker Carlson! - it is Nerenberg's contention that a country
once considered way-cold and white bread is now way-cool and a hot
destination spot for hip U.S. tourists, that Canada is "the true land
of the free."

"Now more than ever, Canada could be a refuge for Americans -
especially with an out-of-control Dick Cheney firing away," cracks
Nerenberg, who, with his mate and co-producer Shannon Brown, are the
proud parents of 6-week-old Jane Marlo.

But fatherhood hasn't necessarily mellowed Nerenberg. His next
project, for CBC-TV, is the comedy doc Let's All Hate Toronto. "There
are many theories, but the fact is that it's nothing new. It even
goes back to the days when the Algonquin went there and it was a
mosquito-infested swamp where no one wanted to live. And now some see
it more as a banker-infested swamp."

Though Montrealers may believe they hate Hogtown more than most
Canadians, Nerenberg reports that animosity for the burg is even more
rampant in other parts of the country. In an effort to measure that
disdain for his documentary, Nerenberg will be staging Toronto
Appreciation Days throughout the land. "Whatever the reason, this
sentiment toward the T-Dot seems to be the one thing that truly
unites all Canadians. I personally love-hate Toronto, the way I feel
about an overbearing aunt. I just love Montreal more." Smart.

Seems Nerenberg just might want to come home again.