The National Scream

There is a myth that Canadians have no sense of humor, though the fact is they do--it's just that sometimes it's very, very subtle. This wonderful mockumentary is a great example of this.

The film purports to represent a dark era in Canada. It seems that their national symbol, the beaver, is looked after by a lady whose job it is to feed and care for him. But, out of the blue (or 'bleu'), it has been stolen--sending the nation into a tizzy of excitement. It seems that without their beloved beaver, the nation itself is without an identity and life throughout the country has come to a grinding halt.

The film is very much a tongue-in-cheek joke and it's one I got and enjoyed thoroughly. I liked how the film good naturedly made fun of itself and used extensive fake newspaper headlines and interviews to almost convince the viewer that it is all true! Very clever and very funny--it's a wonderful film for Canadians and non-Canadians alike.

The Canadian symbol dessapeared. The lady who feed the brave beaver representing the Canadian identity discovers than the precious been is absent from its room .

So, panic, suppositians, accusations, theories.

And a fine mockumentary , in which the irony is mixed with history and familiar human behavior in cris moments.

In short, a smart crafted short film, inspired, maybe, by a real case , exploring not only Canadian sensitivities but 20 days of debates, searches and soft paranoia.

The end is just great and the contribution of kindness of not very young lady to a poor beaver who offers her the marital happiness is just lovely. So, 20 days and their splendid fruit.