Some have called the documentary Canada’s national art form. If it is, the foundations of that art were laid by the National Film Board of Canada in the first six years of its existence, 1939–45, under the inspired vision and watchful eye of John Grierson, its first Commissioner. Released in the year of the NFB’s 75th birthday, Shameless Propaganda is filmmaker Robert Lower’s take on the greatest and most compelling propaganda effort in our history. Lower has watched the films produced by the NFB up until 1945—all 500 of them—and distilled the essence of their message to Canadians. Using only …
There is a fine line between propaganda and promoting a country’s values and strengths: How and where would you draw the line? What was the vision of Canada that the NFB tried to portray? What did these Canadians value? Who was left out of this picture and why? Should the government be making these kinds of promotional films? What are the benefits and pitfalls of them? Why is a more complex or nuanced story of country important?