Voyce says that last week a parks official called to ask if one of the characters in the film, a gang leader, would be aboriginal.
Voyce says that when he said yes, the official told him that wasn’t something Parks Canada would favour
I'm not sure Parks Canada should be worried about content in films being shot here. Especially major productions like this.
I'm on the fence about this one. If this is a big budget movie (Liam Neeson is in it) and it will villify aboriginals in some type of criminal outfit, I can see why. Hollywood portrayals often have far-reaching and dramatic effects on how people think about cultures, races, religons, etc. Parks Canada is an extension of the federal government, and I can see them no wanting to put aboriginals in that sort of portrayal (Canadian aboriginals to be specific).
Although I would like to see the actual script myself for more context.
It would be worse if the movie had 1000 natives played by Mexicans running around say "How" and getting killed by a single shot by a brave white Cowboy.
I agree, there needs to be some context with the script. But I don't really think that it's up to Parks Canada to filter based on cultural statements is it?
Here's the reverse question I guess, If it was a Russian Gang, or a Chinese Gang, or a White Gang in the movie would Parks Canada fly the flag of facial tolerance?
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It would be worse if the movie had 1000 natives played by Mexicans running around say "How" and getting killed by a single shot by a brave white Cowboy.
I agree, there needs to be some context with the script. But I don't really think that it's up to Parks Canada to filter based on cultural statements is it?
Here's the reverse question I guess, If it was a Russian Gang, or a Chinese Gang, or a White Gang in the movie would Parks Canada fly the flag of facial tolerance?
Funny enough I could see them having no problem putting indistinguishable Caucasians in lead criminal roles. Most people wouldn't question the race of the Caucasian in that role, except that he's white in general. Chinese gangs may be culturally sensitive, but I would imagine it would still go ahead unless a community backlash came to the forefront.
If Terry and Deaner were suddenly thrust into serious, villainous roles for their next FUBAR, I doubt this would get much resistance from Parks Canada.
Tom Jackson is also starring in this, am I being to naive to assume he would not do the film if it was deemed to be detrimental to the aboriginal image?
You would think that the First Nations actor, musician and Order of Canada member who is playing the role they are concerned about (Tom Jackson) would raise concerns he would have with how he was portrayed?
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Funny enough I could see them having no problem putting indistinguishable Caucasians in lead criminal roles. Most people wouldn't question the race of the Caucasian in that role, except that he's white in general. Chinese gangs may be culturally sensitive, but I would imagine it would still go ahead unless a community backlash came to the forefront.
If Terry and Deaner were suddenly thrust into serious, villainous roles for their next FUBAR, I doubt this would get much resistance from Parks Canada.
Did you hear FUBAR is coming out as a TV series this year?
You would think that the First Nations actor, musician and Order of Canada member who is playing the role they are concerned about (Tom Jackson) would raise concerns he would have with how he was portrayed?
Not necessarily. He's just one, single person. Even the "Washington Redskins" debate has plenty of representative from both the side that isn't offended in the least and the side that wants the name changed. Pretty tough to label a person getting paid good money to be in a big Hollywood production as unbias representative of Canadians as a whole.
I'm pretty sure Parks Canada can approve or deny any film they want, and just because it meets Tom Jackson's standards, doesn't mean it meets those set out by Parks Canada.
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Stupid decision on Parks Canada's part. Really stupid. We have a mediocre film industry here, with the worst incentives across Canada, with a brand new, mostly unused film centre and we're turning away a film?
A film?
If this was some pron film or remake of Triumph of the Will then sure...but way to shoot ourselves in the foot. This is the kind of decision that sends producers looking at B.C. or other provinces.
Investment from the provincial government through tax breaks is a 3:1 investment...it makes money for the province via dollars crews, producers, and taxes inject into the system.
Should big movies ever be made in the National Parks?
The purpose of our parks is not to develop a film industry. What are the environmental impacts? The parks are Federal, not provincial jurisdiction.
You'd be amazed the efficiency of Alberta crews when it comes to shooting on location. You'd never know they were there. In a situation like this one you'd have circus (all the trucks and trailers) at a safe distance from any area in a mutually agreed parking lot or similar, the essential crew and talent would be transported to the actual set.
Stupid decision on Parks Canada's part. Really stupid. We have a mediocre film industry here, with the worst incentives across Canada, with a brand new, mostly unused film centre and we're turning away a film?
A film?
If this was some pron film or remake of Triumph of the Will then sure...but way to shoot ourselves in the foot. This is the kind of decision that sends producers looking at B.C. or other provinces.
Investment from the provincial government through tax breaks is a 3:1 investment...it makes money for the province via dollars crews, producers, and taxes inject into the system.
I believe the film centre is actually full right now, but agree with everything else about how this is an area we can grow in Alberta and have productions looking to come here if the incentives could be made slightly better and have more space available for them to film in.
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Should big movies ever be made in the National Parks?
The purpose of our parks is not to develop a film industry. What are the environmental impacts? The parks are Federal, not provincial jurisdiction.
Is there any draw back in filming in National Parks though? What's lost in contrast to what's gained?
As for the decision itself, if it isn't culturally insensitive to Natives, and I can't imagine it would be, then why should it be prevented from being filmed? What? Natives can't play roles of villains? They can only be in 'hero' roles?
Alberta needs projects like this in order to help diversify the economy. Filming needs to be encouraged, not discouraged.
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I'm pretty sure Parks Canada can approve or deny any film they want, and just because it meets Tom Jackson's standards, doesn't mean it meets those set out by Parks Canada.
I'm not sure Parks Canada should have standards based on content, provided that the content isn't illegal or something... That being said, I'm inclined to think, "well if it was a movie about how the KKK is fantastic, I would be pretty understanding about them shooting that down". Given that intuition, I'm not sure how this should work... but I just can't imagine who at Parks Canada is qualified to be the arbiter of what is and what isn't acceptable movie content. It can't be "what anyone anywhere might find offensive", obviously.
I suppose you could make an argument for just a blanket ban on major films shooting in national parks.
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Parks Canada Denies Film Permit
