Cinema Canada: The Legacy of a Definitive Film Trade Journal
For nearly two decades, Cinema Canada served as the essential trade journal of record for the Canadian film and television sector. More than just a magazine, it acted as a provocative platform for nationalistic cinema activists and a hub for the creative minds that would eventually shape the modern landscape of Canadian media.
The Evolution of the Publication
The roots of the magazine trace back to 1962, when the Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC)—a professional organization for directors of photography—began publishing a bi-monthly newsletter titled Canadian Cinematography. By 1967, the publication was renamed Cinema Canada.
In 1972, the CSC sought to elevate the magazine's production quality. They partnered with George Csaba Koller and Phillip McPhedran in Toronto to create a glossier format. While McPhedran resigned after four issues for personal reasons, Koller continued to lead the publication. By the fall of 1973, the magazine became independent of the CSC, adopting a scrappy and provocative editorial tone characterized by a strong sense of Canadian nationalism.
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Organizational Shifts and Growth
The magazine's structure evolved in March 1975 with the formation of the non-profit Cinema Canada Foundation. Later that September, ownership transferred to Jean-Pierre Tadros and Connie Tadros. Jean-Pierre, a former film critic for Le Devoir and editor of Cinema Quebec, moved the editorial headquarters to Montreal while maintaining a presence in Toronto.
The publication frequency increased over time, moving from ten issues per year to a monthly schedule. By the time it ceased publication in 1989, the magazine had produced a total of 169 issues over an 18-year span.
A Hub for Activism and Artistic Movements
During the 1970s, Cinema Canada became the primary voice for the Council of Canadian Filmmakers. This lobby group consisted of industry professionals campaigning for a quota of Canadian movies to be screened in theaters owned by American companies.
By the 1980s, the Toronto office had transformed into a center for the Toronto New Wave, an emerging movement of avant-garde and independent filmmakers. A notable highlight of this era was the fall 1988 "Outlaw" issue, which was edited by Bruce McDonald.
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Influential Alumni
The magazine served as a training ground for several figures who would become titans in the film and television industry:
- Tom Perlmutter: Future Commissioner of the National Film Board of Canada.
- Cameron Bailey: Future co-director of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
- Wyndham Wise: Future publisher and editor of Take One: Film and Television in Canada.
- René Balcer: Montreal staff member who became an Emmy Award-winning showrunner and series creator.
- John Harkness: Influential film critic for Now weekly.
The Decline and Archival Legacy
The magazine officially folded in 1989. While the official reasons cited for its closure were the impending implementation of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) and the removal of postal subsidies in 1991, the underlying cause was a shift in the Canadian production climate. As the industry evolved from the early 1970s, the magazine eventually lost its core constituency and its original purpose.
Today, Cinema Canada remains a vital historical resource for scholars. The original documents and papers are preserved as a special collection within the TIFF Film Reference Library in Toronto.
Key Facts
- Operational Years: 1972–1989 (as an independent glossy magazine).
- Total Issues: 169 issues published over 18 years.
- Origins: Started as a CSC newsletter in 1962.
- Key Locations: Editorial offices in Toronto and Montreal.
- Primary Mission: Served as a trade journal and a voice for Canadian film nationalism and quotas.
- Archive Location: TIFF's Film Reference Library in Toronto.
| Year/Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1962 | Launched as Canadian Cinematography newsletter. |
| 1967 | Renamed to Cinema Canada. |
| 1972 | Transitioned to a glossy format via Koller and McPhedran. |
| 1973 | Became independent of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. |
| 1975 | Cinema Canada Foundation formed; ownership moved to the Tadros family. |
| 1988 | Publication of the "Outlaw" issue edited by Bruce McDonald. |
| 1989 | Final issue published. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary purpose of Cinema Canada?
It served as the trade journal of record for the Canadian film and television sector, acting as a voice for industry professionals and advocates for Canadian content quotas in theaters.
Who were some of the notable people associated with the magazine?
Notable alumni include Tom Perlmutter, Cameron Bailey, René Balcer, and Wyndham Wise, all of whom went on to hold significant roles in film festivals, national boards, and television production.
Why did Cinema Canada eventually close?
Official reasons included the removal of postal subsidies and the introduction of the GST. However, the magazine also struggled because the Canadian production climate changed, leading to a loss of its original constituency.
Where can researchers find the original archives of the magazine?
The original documents and papers are held as a special collection in the TIFF Film Reference Library located in Toronto.
How did the magazine's format change over time?
It began as a bi-monthly newsletter for the Canadian Society of Cinematographers before evolving into a glossy, independent magazine that eventually moved to a monthly publication schedule.