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Fitness/Physical Activities (37)
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Beauty Begins Inside - What's Eating You?Sheila Murphy 1995 13 minWhat's Eating You? follows a pair of engaging teens on a voyage of discovery in being convinced that there is more to life than junk food. The hero and heroine are definitely into chips and soft drinks, but this film is nothing if not persistent, winning them over with a banquet of gags and information. Everything teens need to know about healthy eating and the four food groups is right here in irreverent, fun-filled morsels. -
British Empire and Commonwealth GamesJack Olsen 1954 11 minThis short documentary presents highlights of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In Vancouver, top-ranking athletes from the far corners of the British Commonwealth competed for new records. The film records outstanding feats in racing, jumping, pole-vaulting, swimming as well as the "miracle mile" duel between John Landy and Roger Bannister.
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Cycling: Still the GreatestGary Toole 1980 27 minThis short documentary is an ode to the thrills and excitement of cycling. Including highlights from the 1976 Olympics and the 1978 Commonwealth Games, the film features some of the world's best cyclists and their coaches, in training and in competition.
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Chris Hadfield 2016 Virtual Classroom (The Film)Dan Thornhill 2016 31 minA Virtual Classroom with the famous singing and tweeting astronaut is the perfect intro to Space School. Don’t miss Chris Hadfield talking about his exciting experiences as the first Canadian in command of the International Space Station. He shares the story of his amazing journey in a wide-ranging discussion covering the fascinating relationship between geology and space exploration and the surprising impacts of space travel on physical and mental fitness.
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The Challenge in Old CrowGeorges Payrastre 2006 54 minThis documentary focuses on the Yukon's Far North, where 280 Aboriginal people live in the village of Old Crow. Deep in this wilderness, the health of the children is a source of concern—the rise in obesity, diabetes and delinquency rates underscores the extent to which health and social problems are linked. With compassion and insight, this film shows how a handful of parents took control of a situation to ensure a future for their children.
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The Devil's ToyClaude Jutra 1969 15 minThis short 1969 documentary dedicated "to all victims of intolerance” depicts the dawn of skateboarding in Montreal. A new activity frowned upon by police and adults, skateboarding gave youngsters a thrilling sensation of speed and freedom. This film - the first Canadian documentary ever made about the sport - captures the exuberance of boys and girls having the time of their lives in free-wheeling downhill locomotion.
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Golden GlovesGilles Groulx 1964 27 minA classic NFB documentary about the Golden Gloves boxing tournament, the Canadian amateur's hope for success in the boxing world. This Gilles Groulx film shows three Montreal boxers in training. In behind-the-scenes interviews they talk about their ambitions and what prompted them to take up the sport.
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Here's Hockey!Leslie McFarlane 1953 10 minFeaturing Jean Beliveau, this short film focuses on hockey from the inside out. Known as Canada's national pastime, this film demonstrates why hockey is such an exciting spectator sport. From east to west, the connection between fans and players is evident in the excited cries of "we've won!" From Pee-Wee to Bantam, from the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association to the big league pros, Here's Hockey! shows what it takes to make a great hockey player.
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I'll Go AgainPaul Cowan 1977 41 minThis documentary by director Paul Cowan is about four athletes and a team that competed in the 1976 Olympics. They had trained courageously to be among those who would mount the podium to receive a medal. None of them did, but was it worth the effort? I'll Go Again answers the question.
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I Was a Ninety-pound WeaklingWolf Koenig & Georges Dufaux 1960 24 minA short 1960 documentary about physical fitness trends in the big city. Here you see modern man brought to bay by his own poundage, resolved to erase by exercise what rich food, idleness and age have put on.
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King of the HillWilliam Canning & Donald Brittain 1974 56 minThis feature documentary follows one of the greatest Canadian baseball players of all time, Ferguson Jenkins, through the 1972-1973 season. From the hope and innocence of spring training to the dog days of an August slump, the camera gets up close and personal at the home plate and records the intimate chatter on the mound, in the dugout and in the locker room. It provides a glimpse into the rewards and pressures of sports stardom and the easy camaraderie of the quintessential summer sport.
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LockLouise Archambault 2010 5 minChoreographer Edouard Lock believes that movement embodies our interests and desires. In this short documentary, we see the celebrated founder of La La La Human Steps working with dancers in his studio space. The film uses unusual camera angles and slow-motion cinematography to capture the artistry of Lock’s signature high-energy, high-impact style.
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Louise Lecavalier: Body SpeechPhilippe Baylaucq 2014 7 minThis short film profiles contemporary dancer Louise Lecavalier as she performs in her studio. With searching steps, she crosses a space defined by her past. Her movements are framed by the aura of her acclaimed performances, each one a testament to a facet of her immense talent. The language of her body expresses the journey of a fiercely independent artist who is always moving forward and who has remained in perpetual motion for 30 years.
This film was produced by the NFB in co-operation with the National Arts Centre and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation on the occasion of the 2014 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. -
Mighty JeromeCharles Officer 2010 1 h 23 minFrom acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer comes the story of the rise, fall and redemption of Harry Jerome, Canada's most record-setting track and field star. Gorgeous monochrome imagery, impassioned interviews and astonishing archival footage are used to tell the triumphant and compelling story of what Harry Jerome's own coach called "the greatest comeback in track and field history."
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The Musical Ride1954 19 minThis 1954 documentary short presents the famous Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In a display of brilliant horsemanship, scarlet-coated Mounties take their horses through the many intricate patterns of the Ride, performed to the accompaniment of band music.
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River of LifeWerner Walcher 2007 53 minThis documentary focuses on the Yukon River Quest, the world's longest annual canoe and kayak race. Athletes come from around the world to test their endurance, racing day and night along 740 km of rugged river shoreline. The film chronicles the experiences of the all-female 2006 Paddlers Abreast team. By following them from the moment they climb into their boat in Whitehorse to the cheers that greet them in Dawson City, the film tells an exhilarating story of a group of women who have faced death and understand how precious life is.
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Sabre and FoilGeorge Kaczender 1967 7 minThe ancient and deadly sport of fencing, demonstrated by world masters in competition. The film is not a record of individual duels but it does capture the cool, merciless attack in a way to focus the eye on every swift maneuver. The cold clash of steel on steel, the staccato pound of feet, the strange, sculptured postures of the masked, white figures - all make absorbing, convincing viewing.
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ShreddedDouglas C. Taplin & Richard Gaudio 2005 22 minThis short film follows a group of teenage boys eager to emulate the muscle-filled bodies of their media heroes. Revealing the lengths these boys are willing to go to achieve their goal, this film explores the use of supplements and the temptations of steroids. The boys relate their experiences, desires and motivations to the audience, who are left to draw their own conclusions.
The film is designed to provoke discussion among teenagers about body image and where lines should be drawn between healthy and dangerous behaviour. -
Spirit of the GameAnnie Fraziér Henry 2003 47 minIn this short documentary, award-winning filmmaker Annie Frazier Henry follows an elite handful of Indigenous athletes from British Columbia for two years as they make their way to the 2002 North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg. Over 6,000 young sportsmen and women from across Canada and the US compete in the games, and this film serves as a tribute to their hard work, dedication, and achievements.
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King Nation I: Play Small, Win BigRyan Sidhoo 2018 23 minKing Nation AAU are on the rise, but need a floor general. The responsibility falls on the shoulders of 5’9 point guard Keone Davis, 15, who leads the team into the Pittsburgh Jam Fest with high hopes.
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Finale: Making ItRyan Sidhoo 2018 15 minWe catch up with each player in the midst of their journey as they reflect on their road ahead.
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True North: Inside the Rise of Toronto Basketball (Feature)Ryan Sidhoo 2019 1 h 29 minOn the heels of the Toronto Raptors’ historic NBA Championship and the record-setting number of Canadian draft picks, the Toronto hoop dream is more alive than ever. In this feature-length doc, director Ryan Sidhoo shines the spotlight on 12-year-old Elijah Fisher, 15-year-old Keone Davis and 18-year-old Cordell Veira as they navigate today’s youth basketball machine in pursuit of their own NBA dreams.
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Cordell II: For My FamilyRyan Sidhoo 2018 15 minWithout an offer, Cordell’s season is winding down. A slate of big games offers him one last chance to catch the eye of a Division 1 coach.
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Cordell I: Trust the ProcessRyan Sidhoo 2018 15 minCordell Veira enters his senior year playing for an underdog program. Time is ticking for Cordell to land a Division 1 scholarship offer while also carrying the weight of family redemption.
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King Nation III: Bright LightsRyan Sidhoo 2018 23 minThe King Nation trilogy closes with Malachi Ndur, 15, who has gone from small-town kid to major prospect. Malachi along with Keone and Jalen head to the Fab 48 tournament in Vegas with a chance to end the summer crowned as kings.
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The TournamentSam Vint 2020 22 minOver the course of a weekend tournament, youth sledge hockey teams from the U.S. and Canada battle for supremacy. Designed for players who have a physical challenge, the fundaments of the sport — passing, shooting, trash talking your opponents – remain the same. Director Sam Vint captures the end-to-end action as the Manitoba Sledgehammers do it all.
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The Roots & The RiseRyan Sidhoo 2018 23 minToronto is at the epicentre of Canada’s NBA talent boom. We meet the pioneers who have grown the game and introduce a group of young hopefuls chasing their own hoop dream.
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Elijah II: Defend Your CrownRyan Sidhoo 2018 15 minAlong with the legendary coach, Ro Russell, Elijah heads to the Fab 48 Tournament in Vegas and a middle-school ranking camp in D.C. He is set to defend his title as the best in the class of 2023.
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Elijah I: Just a KidRyan Sidhoo 2018 15 minElijah Fisher is the top-ranked 12-year-old in the world. We go beyond the rankings and social media clout to see how a family manages the expectations that come with raising a child in the spotlight.
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King Nation II: The North's American DreamRyan Sidhoo 2018 15 minInspired by his father and the NBA players from his suburb, Jalen Celestine, 15, knows the NBA is within reach. With big-time US prep schools calling, the family ventures south for official visits.
