School break features short films at WDM
A series of family-friendly short films will be shown daily until Jan. 6 at the Moose Jaw branch of the Western Development Museum.
The movies, from the National Film Board, will be shown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a continuous loop in the museum’s ABC Theatre. Regular museum admission cost will apply. Movies are free to WDM members.
Karla Rasmussen, education and public relations co-ordinator at the museum describes the movies as follows:
Ludovic - The Snow Gift Co Hoedeman 1998 | 14 min.
In this animated short, Ludovic the bear learns the meaning of friendship while evoking memories of cherished childhood toys. Often left out of the winter fun because his parents deem him too young, Ludovic finally finds a playmate when a giant snowstorm strands a doll on his front lawn. He spends all his time with his new doll, which miraculously comes to life and provides him with the companionship he’d been longing for.
Ludovic - Let it Snow Sylvain Lavoie 2011 | 12 min.
It’s a nice winter day outside, and Ludovic and George are busy making snowbears. But George ends up making a snow dragon. When their two snow creatures come to life, a nice game of red light-green light is great fun, until it’s a run to avoid the snowball blowing off the snow dragon’s nose.
The Fox and the Chickadee Evan DeRushie 2012 | 7 min.
This charming stop-motion animated fable tells the story of a starving fox, who stumbles upon a lone chickadee caught in a farmer’s trap. Despite his hapless predicament, the chickadee turns the tables by proposing a plan that would provide the fox with food for the whole winter, rather than just a snack. He promises the fox a feast, but there’s a catch: he’ll need the chickadee’s help to get it.
Christmas at Moose Factory Alanis Obomsawin 1971 | 13 min.
This short animation by acclaimed Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin creates a charming study of life at Christmas time in Moose Factory, an old settlement mainly composed of Indigenous families on the shore of James Bay. Composed entirely of children’s crayon drawings and narrated by a little girl, the film illustrates incidents big and small with childish candor, conveying to the viewer a strong sense of being there.
Snow Cat Sheldon Cohen 1998 | 23 min.
A grandmother tells her young grandchild the moving tale of a lonely girl and an unforgettable magical cat in this animated short narrated by Oscar®, Emmy and Tony award winner Maureen Stapleton. The film is based on a short story written by Dayal Kaur Khalsa and adapted by two-time Governor General’s award recipient Tim Wynne-Jones.
It’s Snow Gayle Thomas 1974 | 5 min.
Colour cut-out animation inspired by the shape of snowflakes and touched with the airy magic of these fragile designs. While music tinkles invitingly, snowflakes roll and whirl, pulse and glitter, shining with the many hues of twinkling lights. Made without words, this is a joyous film to please the fancy and captivate eye and ear.
The Boy and the Snow Goose Gayle Thomas 1984 | 10 min.
This animated short tells the story of a young boy who finds an injured snow goose and nurses it back to health. Constant companions through the sun-filled days of summer, the two sadly separate in the fall when the bird obeys the call to join its flock for the annual flight south. Will the friendship endure?
The Sweater Sheldon Cohen 1980 | 10 min.
In this animated short, Roch Carrier recounts the most mortifying moment of his childhood. At a time when all his friends worshipped Maurice “Rocket” Richard and wore his number 9 Montreal Canadiens hockey jersey, the boy was mistakenly sent a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey from Eatons. Unable to convince his mother to send it back, he must face his friends wearing the colours of the opposing team. This short film, based on the book The Hockey Sweater, is an NFB classic that appeals to hockey lovers of all ages.
The Rink Gilles Carle 1962 | 10 min.
This short, silent film captures a Sunday afternoon at a community skating rink. Iconic Quebec director Gilles Carle has the camera follow toddlers learning to skate, young girls flashing their skates and boys decked out in the colours of their favourite hockey teams. A picture perfect moment on a bright winter day. Other films include The Great Train Robbery, The Story of Christmas, The Energy Carol, Christmas Cracker, Noel Noel, and An Old Box.