Director Murray Siples' love/hate letter to Vancouver weather captures both the mundane and the thrilling experience of living on the West (wet) Coast. The winter rain colours every aspect of city life, but people cope, wielding umbrellas like swords, clutching coats and hats against the constant deluge.
A personal take on one man's experience of the winter, Cold Fronts is a kaleidoscopic view of the collision point between nature and the city.
This film was produced in partnership with VANOC and Canada CODE for the 2010 Cultural Olympiad.
Ages 15 to 17
English Language Arts - Poetry
Geography - Weather and Climatology
Media Education - Film and Video Production
Social Studies - Environmental Challenges
Before viewing, ask students to consider how geography and weather influence their ideas of the meaning of Canada; after, discuss this theme in the film. Media and film students may examine the film's blending of sound and visuals, and then produce a slide show or one minute film focusing on a localized weather theme. Ask writing students to build poetic imagery on still photographs that depict their local changing seasons.