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Instant French

This animated short is a take on the "As Seen on TV" commercials, or the K-Tel ads of yesteryear. In this parody version, the ad attempts to sell an electronic device that allows one to speak fluent, effortless French. Please note that this film was produced in 1979 and reflects certain attitudes and thinking of its era. The last scene of the film includes negative stereotyping of Jews living in Quebec. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. While the film does not represent today’s views as perspectives of Canadians (and the NFB) have evolved and we have …
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  • Canada Vignettes
    Canada Vignettes
    1978 43 films
    Discover this series of classic shorts exploring every facet of Canadian culture and history.

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Details

This animated short is a take on the "As Seen on TV" commercials, or the K-Tel ads of yesteryear. In this parody version, the ad attempts to sell an electronic device that allows one to speak fluent, effortless French.

Please note that this film was produced in 1979 and reflects certain attitudes and thinking of its era. The last scene of the film includes negative stereotyping of Jews living in Quebec. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. While the film does not represent today’s views as perspectives of Canadians (and the NFB) have evolved and we have become more conscious regarding issues of discrimination and minority rights, the film is presented in its original version because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these stereotypes never existed.

Education Literature and Language - Canada Canada - Images of a Country All subjects
Ultra-Short Films All channels
  • director
    André Leduc
  • animation
    André Leduc
  • producer
    David Verrall
  • executive producer
    Derek Lamb
  • animation photography
    Piroska Mihalka
  • narrator
    Rod Charlebois

Education

Ages 9 to 17
School subjects
Languages - French as a Second Language Media Education - Advertising
Using the same K-Tel ad idea, prepare a monologue of common French Canadian expressions that might be helpful to someone trying to learn French quickly.

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Instant French
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