Tony Wohlfarth
In November, a new database at inaturalist.ca will allow you to report flora and fauna sightings and, on November 19, at 7 p.m., you can participate via Zoom in a presentation by James Pagé of the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Arts and culture events over this month can be accessed online and in person.
4th Annual Ottawa Adventure Film Festival (OAFF)
Beginning on November 13, the OAFF returns bigger and better with 50 films to enjoy in person and virtually. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. with an action-packed program of 12 of the best films from earlier fests. Full Friday tickets are available at https://events.com/r/enUS/tickets/oaff—full-send-friday-795414.
Screenings continue until November 22, when the festival closes with screenings of the best films of the OAFF, set for the Mayfair Cinema (1074 Bank Street). The films were selected by a jury from among 200 films submitted for consideration.
The program on November 22 includes live music by The Obsidians. Mike McKay, festival director, is a Chelsea-based kayaker and the OAFF founder.
Admission is based on membership or by pay what you can (PWYC). Membership is $100 and includes discounts and offers from OAFF sponsors. Further information is available at www.oaff.ca
European Union Film Festival (EUFF)
The virtual EUFF launches with a German film, All About Me, on November 13. Online screenings continue until November 29.
Tickets and more information on the films are available at www.cfi-icf.ca/euff Ticketholders have 48 hours to watch each film.
National Film Board (NFB)
The NFB makes its extensive collection of documentary films available online at nfb.ca
On the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the War Measures Act, the NFB released The Rose Family. Directed by Felix Rose, the film is a personal reflection of the imprisonment of his father, Paul, who died in 2013. Felix described the film as the culmination of a personal journey.
The Rose Family makes extensive use of archival footage including private family collections to document key developments from the October Crisis in 1970. Paul Rose was a major figure in the establishment of the Parti Québecois. I found the two-hour film informative and relevant to understanding contemporary Quebec politics.
The NFB also produced a series of seven short films about the impact of the pandemic for vulnerable Canadians. I screened the first three at https://www.nfb.ca/the-curve/wide-shots-and-close-ups/
Jia is the story of a couple from Saskatchewan, who were stranded in Wuhan, China, and repatriated along with their newborn.
Pandemic – At the End of the World is a personal story about the impact on the Inuvialuit going back to smallpox.
Very Present is the story of a prisoner under house arrest during the lockdown.
Outside Canada
The International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in Amsterdam is set for November 18 to December 6 and IDFA is screening its festival online.
Centretown BUZZ readers can access all the films at www.idfa.nl
Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG)
The OAG (50 Mackenzie King Bridge) is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visits must be booked in advance at https://oaggao.ca/
Canadian War Museum
The war museum (at 1 Vimy Place in LeBreton Flats) is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Current special exhibits include photos on the liberation of Holland on display through March 31, and from the Canadian Armed Forces photographers until January 3.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Each fall, the CMN opens its storage facility in Gatineau for limited public viewing. The museum has now taken its collections online with a series of videos via its YouTube channel. This growing collection can now be accessed anytime from across Canada. Search for Virtual Open House: Canadian Museum of Nature Collections.
The museum (240 McLeod Street) remains open this fall with its current exhibit, Planet Ice, on display through January 3.
For the Younger Set
Just in time for the second lockdown, a series of children’s books are available for download at https://www.iristhedragon.com/bookstore.html and the collection is free.
Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film, arts and entertainment writer. He is covering the IDFA Festival virtually and reviewed the four NFB films via their website.