Screening Nature and Nation: The Environmental Documentaries of the National Film Board, 1939-1974

The National Film Board of Canada's documentaries have profoundly influenced cinematic language and shaped our perception of the environment and our place in it. Screening Nature and Nation explores how Canadians have engaged with these films, reflecting the prevailing attitudes of the times. By the 1960s, NFB documentaries began to express broader social concerns, privileging Indigenous perspectives and inspiring an environmental activist movement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 08 April 2022
Publisher: AU Press

The National Film Board of Canada, a deeply ingrained institution in Canadian culture, has left an indelible mark on cinematic language and our understanding of our environment and place within it. Through its documentaries, the NFB has not only shaped the way we communicate but also reshaped our perception of the natural world. Screening Nature and Nation delves into how Canadians have interacted with these films and how the depictions of land and its people have reflected the prevailing attitudes of different eras.

In the years following the establishment of the NFB in 1939, author Michael Clemens explores how production practices often aligned with the government's views on the uses and boundaries of the environment. However, as time passed, the films underwent a remarkable transformation, and by the early 1960s, NFB documentaries began to address broader social concerns. Certain filmmakers began to use their cameras as a tool to challenge the dominant narratives surrounding the environment, viewing it not as a resource to be exploited but as a dynamic ecosystem. This shift in perspective led to the production of films that prioritized Indigenous perspectives, focusing on the physical, cultural, and spiritual lives of the nation's first people. These films offered audiences a unique glimpse into a social history that may have been previously unknown, shedding light on the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures.

Many of the seminal films created by the NFB in the 1960s and 1970s have since gained international acclaim for their breathtaking portrayal of the landscape and indigenous culture. These films not only entertained but also inspired a burgeoning environmental activist movement, raising awareness about the importance of conservation and sustainable practices. The NFB's commitment to showcasing the beauty and diversity of Canada's natural heritage has left an enduring legacy, shaping the way.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771993357