Transit Across Canada: Life--People, Fauna and Flora

Half the country is permanently frozen, 80% of the population inhabits less than 1% of the land, and their cinematic output includes such modern classics as Asses on Fire (no, wait, that was a fictional plot device in the South Park movie). Produced in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, this episode from the National Film Board of Canada's 5-part series on all things Canadian, offers a fascinating survey of the Canadian people and wildlife (human cities and animal habitats, occupations and behaviors, interaction with the environment, etc.). While the "flora" in this broad overview of "people, fauna and flora" receives short shrift, overall this is an excellent introduction to Canadian geography and social studies, featuring objective and interesting narration, solid graphics and music, and clever and entertaining subject transitions. Blending stock footage with great contemporary videography, and illustrative stills into a lively and informative production, Life is definitely recommended. The other titles in the series are: Air, Water, Land and Fire (series price: $695). Aud: I, J, P. (E. Gieschen)