A World of Difference: The Impact of Hockey on culture across the 49th Parallel
Some arrogant opinion makers in the U.S. like to think of Canada as a 51st state - another market to be tapped in this world of NAFTA and globalization.
The fact is that Canada is not the U.S. - its history, its cultures and narratives come from a very different perspective.
As a tangible example of this fact one need no go further than the role of hockey in each of the societies.
MSN.com this week is highlighting yet another negative story about hockey with the headline "If a Puck Drops & No One Sees It - Why American sports fans give hockey the cold shoulder".
In the meatime, a series is running in Canada on CBC & and its French-language counterpart SRC (Societe Radio Canada)called " Hockey: A People's History".
The series which started in September traces Canada's first steps on the ice - it is described as "the most comprehensive television series on Canada's game".
"Our country's history and the game of hockey are interwoven", said Executive Producer Mark Starowicz. "This series is more than just hockey; it's about how the game and our country grew up together facing similar issues at he same time, such as racism and women's rights, on and off the ice. It was important for our production team to frame the evolution of the game alongside the formation of Canada."
Filmed in high definition, the series interweaves rarely or never seen archival images and footage alng with recreations. The series follows the stories of famous figures associated with the sport and the experience of hockey through the eyes of Canadians young and old and through the decades.
Hockey: A Poeples History follows the development of the game from thw simple block of wood that served as a puck at the first organized game of ice hockey, played in Montreal in 1875, to the story of the pioneering women's pro leageue that sold out arenas during the Great War. It also profiles such moments as Canada's Centennial when the Canadiens & Leafs met for the Cup (The Leafs spoiled the Habs chance at 5 straight Cups in the 1960's - that one still smarts !), the Summit Series of 1972 (Remember Paul Henderson ?) and the 2002 Olympics - some of the events that have uniquely united a nation and come to define Canada.
Among the commentators providing perspective are Ken Dryden, Jean Beliveau, Stephen Brunt, Daniele Sauvagneau, Scotty Bowman and Dick Irvin.
As a companion to the series, cbc.ca is providing online trivia and facts on the television series as well as a look at the people, places and events that have shaped the story of Canada's game - this includes interview excerpts, as well as historic audio and video.
The launch of the program has coincided with the release of a companion book by Michael Mckinley, Hockey: A People's History (produced by McClelland and Stewart). Tundra is also producing a book for children called Ice Time.
For further information, see http://www.cbc.ca/hockeyhistory/about.html
The fact is that Canada is not the U.S. - its history, its cultures and narratives come from a very different perspective.
As a tangible example of this fact one need no go further than the role of hockey in each of the societies.
MSN.com this week is highlighting yet another negative story about hockey with the headline "If a Puck Drops & No One Sees It - Why American sports fans give hockey the cold shoulder".
In the meatime, a series is running in Canada on CBC & and its French-language counterpart SRC (Societe Radio Canada)called " Hockey: A People's History".
The series which started in September traces Canada's first steps on the ice - it is described as "the most comprehensive television series on Canada's game".
"Our country's history and the game of hockey are interwoven", said Executive Producer Mark Starowicz. "This series is more than just hockey; it's about how the game and our country grew up together facing similar issues at he same time, such as racism and women's rights, on and off the ice. It was important for our production team to frame the evolution of the game alongside the formation of Canada."
Filmed in high definition, the series interweaves rarely or never seen archival images and footage alng with recreations. The series follows the stories of famous figures associated with the sport and the experience of hockey through the eyes of Canadians young and old and through the decades.
Hockey: A Poeples History follows the development of the game from thw simple block of wood that served as a puck at the first organized game of ice hockey, played in Montreal in 1875, to the story of the pioneering women's pro leageue that sold out arenas during the Great War. It also profiles such moments as Canada's Centennial when the Canadiens & Leafs met for the Cup (The Leafs spoiled the Habs chance at 5 straight Cups in the 1960's - that one still smarts !), the Summit Series of 1972 (Remember Paul Henderson ?) and the 2002 Olympics - some of the events that have uniquely united a nation and come to define Canada.
Among the commentators providing perspective are Ken Dryden, Jean Beliveau, Stephen Brunt, Daniele Sauvagneau, Scotty Bowman and Dick Irvin.
As a companion to the series, cbc.ca is providing online trivia and facts on the television series as well as a look at the people, places and events that have shaped the story of Canada's game - this includes interview excerpts, as well as historic audio and video.
The launch of the program has coincided with the release of a companion book by Michael Mckinley, Hockey: A People's History (produced by McClelland and Stewart). Tundra is also producing a book for children called Ice Time.
For further information, see http://www.cbc.ca/hockeyhistory/about.html
posted by eric model | 12:05 AM
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