(Originally published in TOURISM)
Since 1982, people from around the world have been taken on a tour of beautiful Canadian landscapes and diverse cultures as they watched the film O Canada! in the Canada pavilion at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Now, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and tourism industry partners have collaborated with the Walt Disney World Resort and Walt Disney Imagineering to give this movie a facelift. The newly enhanced film spotlights Canada in a modern, witty way - much like the CTC's new Brand Canada - by showcasing Canada's self-deprecating sense of humour as well as our best-loved icons in a fresh, unexpected way.
This fall, the reworked version will light up the screen in the Canada pavilion at Epcot. Actor Martin Short, a Hamilton, Ontario native, confronts Canadian misconceptions head-on and demystifies them. Viewers take a journey through a country they thought they knew, but discover Canada is so much more than vast landscapes.
The film is 14 minutes in length with 65% new footage. Instead of cars, clothes and cityscapes, the film takes in acrobatic Cirque du Soleil performances and rowdy rodeo action at the Calgary Stampede. Scenes portray Canada's diverse people, culture and wilderness - a modern, young and beautiful nation. The soundtrack features Québec singer Eva Avila.
“This film is a huge success story for Canada,” says CTC President and CEO Michele McKenzie. “It does what our Brand Canada does - paints a picture of Canada as it is today: progressive, colourful, multi-ethnic and original. It's time we show Americans and the world what Canada really has to offer.”
Partners in the project include theCalgary Stampede, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corp., Tourisme Montréal, Tourisme Québec, Québec City Tourism, Tourism Toronto, Tourism Vancouver and Travel Alberta. “Updating this production has been identified as a priority at several of our annual conferences,” says Tourism Industry Association of Canada president and CEO Randy Williams. “It is gratifying to see this done, and done well, in cooperation with all the partners.”
Since 1982, people from around the world have been taken on a tour of beautiful Canadian landscapes and diverse cultures as they watched the film O Canada! in the Canada pavilion at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Now, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and tourism industry partners have collaborated with the Walt Disney World Resort and Walt Disney Imagineering to give this movie a facelift. The newly enhanced film spotlights Canada in a modern, witty way - much like the CTC's new Brand Canada - by showcasing Canada's self-deprecating sense of humour as well as our best-loved icons in a fresh, unexpected way.
This fall, the reworked version will light up the screen in the Canada pavilion at Epcot. Actor Martin Short, a Hamilton, Ontario native, confronts Canadian misconceptions head-on and demystifies them. Viewers take a journey through a country they thought they knew, but discover Canada is so much more than vast landscapes.
The film is 14 minutes in length with 65% new footage. Instead of cars, clothes and cityscapes, the film takes in acrobatic Cirque du Soleil performances and rowdy rodeo action at the Calgary Stampede. Scenes portray Canada's diverse people, culture and wilderness - a modern, young and beautiful nation. The soundtrack features Québec singer Eva Avila.
“This film is a huge success story for Canada,” says CTC President and CEO Michele McKenzie. “It does what our Brand Canada does - paints a picture of Canada as it is today: progressive, colourful, multi-ethnic and original. It's time we show Americans and the world what Canada really has to offer.”
Partners in the project include theCalgary Stampede, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corp., Tourisme Montréal, Tourisme Québec, Québec City Tourism, Tourism Toronto, Tourism Vancouver and Travel Alberta. “Updating this production has been identified as a priority at several of our annual conferences,” says Tourism Industry Association of Canada president and CEO Randy Williams. “It is gratifying to see this done, and done well, in cooperation with all the partners.”
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