Documentary. First aired in 2003 Paul Anka is a singer with decades of success. From the age of 17 with his hit song ‘Diana’, he still entertains audiences today, five decades later. The documentary features clips of past interviews and concerts, as well as new interviews with the artist, showcasing his success as a musical talent and a businessman in the arts scene.
Documentary. First aired in 2006. The award winning Canadian writer M.G. Vassanji is often forgotten by the Canadian public, despite his large and well regarded contribution to the literary landscape. The documentary looks at Vassanji’s work, the author, and how his ideas where brought to print.
Documentary. First aired in 2006 Saint Stephen-In-The-Fields on College Street in Toronto is the focus of this documentary. The Anglican church of Canada is rapidly losing members, and their churches are having difficulty financially supporting themselves. This comes to a crisis when the old church on College St finds itself in crippling debt. The churches struggle to stay afloat is told in this film, and is starkly contrasted to the gentrification happening around them, and the over growing religious following of other denominations and faiths around the globe.
One hour documentary. First aired on CBC in 2007. After visiting the world’s top hurricane trackers in Miami, the documentary interviews and follows seven scientists/inventors who believe they can fight hurricanes and stop them from occurring. Each theory is ‘tested’ using computer-generated animation. Using both 3D and stylized 2D animation, the many ideas on how to stop a hurricane are explored.
One hour documentary. First aired on CTV in 2008. A look into female sexual dysfunction and the drugs available. On the market and discussed are nasal spray, a skin patch, and a daily pill. Each is covered in this documentary, as well as the divided nature of whether women should be, or need to be increasing their sexual libido.
2 one-hour documentaries. First aired in 2008. China has recently entered a new era for its religious tolerance. This documentary is told in two parts. The first focuses on the resurgence and rebirth of Indigenous faiths like Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The second part focuses on the quick expansion of Christianity in China, and how many are forces to make the decision to worship either openly or behind closed doors. Many people are interviewed and documented in this two part series. Their ideas, beliefs, and methods of practice are recorded and set in one of the largest countries in the world.
The invention of the bicycle has revolutionized how many people travel. Riding a bicycle has many impacts on our lives, but so too does that theft of the beloved vehicle. After having his bicycle stolen in downtown Toronto, Robin Benger decides he wants to investigate and make a documentary about bicycle theft, and most notably, the thief who stole his bicycle, Igor. Teaming up with Chris Sumpton, the idea was pitched to CBC, who agreed to the documentary as long as it had a slant on the culture of bicycling as well. The documentary Pedal Power looks at the notorious bike thief in Toronto and the urban cycling culture around the world.
The porn industry is booming with the continued growth of the internet. The documentary talks to those in the Canadian industry, including porn stars, those who choose to work via web-cam, pimps, and those leading the industry in virtual porn.
The year 2010 brings the World Cup of Soccer to South Africa for the first time. With all eyes on this nation, the documentary looks back at the racial struggles it has endured coming up to this world event. Following the lives of a former white racist police officer, a soccer star, a former Zulu warlord, a family member of a murdered African National Congress leader, and a white lawyer who lost everything a cause to the social unacceptance of his interracial love affair.
This documentary takes a look into four different scandals within four different religious faiths. The documentary begins with the Mullahs of Ian, and how state agencies have begun to use the Holy Koran to justify authority of Clerics, even in the face of rape and sodomy. Following this, the documentary turns to North America, visiting Orthodox Jewish communities in Winnipeg and Brooklyn where allegations of pedophilia have dived the communities. The high authority of a Buddhist Master is then examined, as a young woman accuses him of sexual servitude. Lastly, a preacher in the deep south is visited, who has been preaching anti-homosexuality, yet has made questionable advances to young men. The focus on four international stories drives home the common threads of sexual misconduct emerging in religion around the world.
One hour documentary. First aired in 2011. As the fasting rising developmental disorder in the developed world, many are eager to know what causes autism. Though research remains mostly inconclusive, this documentary looks at new research coming out of the University of Western Ontario and internationally stating that what’s in our gut may be the answer to this growing disorder.
One hour documentary. First aired in 2014 on TVO. A three year investigation comes together in this documentary. Many large Canadian corporations use the banking system in the Cayman Islands to avoid paying large billions of tax dollars, depriving Canadians of the huge revenue it should be receiving. The investigation reveals though, that these actions are all legal, and that Canadian tax lawyers are some of the best in the world. The documentary follows a fair-tax campaigner, and many others who play a part in both advocating in off-shore tax heavens, and those who wish for this practice to become illegal.
One hour documentary. Officially titled “Daughters of Afghanistan”, this documentary looks at the lives of women in modern Afghanistan and the many obstacles they have to overcome to survive and flourish. The lives of four women and one girls are depicted, as they all struggle for freedom.
One hour documentary. First aired on CBC Sports in 2002 The documentary follows the rag-tag members of team Canada as they compete in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Faced with many unusual challenges, like losing their coach last minute, the film sees the team pull throw to achieve Canadian Cricket history.
One hour documentary. Episode one of a series. South Africa is now the most powerful commercial center on the African continent. It has also a long history of apartheid. This episode looks at the growing number of black business ownership and the Black Economic Empowerment policy.
Two hour documentary. Produced by CBC TV. The documentary “Mandela : Life And Times” or “Madiba: The Life and Times of Nelson Mandela” looks at the inner emotions and personal conflict the apartheid leader had. The film interviews Mandela and his wife Winnie and discusses their marriage, and how she survived torture and the long separations while Mandela was in prison.
6 minute animation. First aired in 2001. The tale of a giant wolverine and the hero Yamoria. Wolverine terrorized the people until Yamoria came and used his magic to trick Wolverine into a bargain.
One hour documentary. First aired in 2005. Produced by CBC TV, Nature of Things. After almost reaching extinction due to over hunting in the fur trade, Sea Otters are coming back through reintroduction experiments. They have quickly become a new problem though, directly competing with humans for shellfish. This documentary looks at the line between ‘them’ and ‘us’, and the cost of human interference.