The Rise and Fall of English Montreal
The Rise and Fall of English Montreal is a 1993 Canadian documentary film directed by William Weintraub and produced by the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal.
| The Rise and Fall of English Montreal | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | William Weintraub |
| Produced by | Bill Brind |
| Written by | William Weintraub |
| Narrated by | Vlasta Vrána |
| Music by | Eldon Rathburn |
| Cinematography | Jacques Avoine Lynda Pelley Barry Perles |
| Edited by | Jeremiah Hayes |
| Distributed by | National Film Board of Canada |
Release date | 1993 |
Running time | 51 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
The film deals with exodus of English-speaking Quebecers that began in the 1960s and was accelerated by the 1976 Quebec general election.
Overview
The film includes interviews with English-speaking professionals and students that are preparing to leave Montreal, joining an exodus of 300,000[1] anglophones that left the province in the last two decades.
This exodus is reflected in over 100 English-speaking schools that have closed in recent years. The students at McGill University and Concordia University cite better work opportunities outside of the province as a reason for leaving. Frequently the lack of a Francophone background is cited as an obstacle for anglophones, even for those that are bilingual.
Weintraub also looks at the role that the Office québécois de la langue française plays in making anglophone businesses comply with language laws, calling for the use of French language signage instead of English.
The film juxtaposes a worried minority's present position with their past in Montreal, where English-speakers once outnumbered francophones, where the mayor was English-speaking and it was difficult to be served in French in downtown department stores.
The film also addresses key moments of significance to the Anglo community in Montreal, such as the demolition of the Van Horne Mansion in 1973. Weintraub also displays the significant role that Anglo business has played in cultivating Montreal's overseas image as a "North American Paris."
As the Anglo youth leave Montreal and the elderly stay behind, the film poses questions about the future and sustainability of the Anglo community in Montreal and the province itself.
References
- The Rise and Fall of English Montreal. National Film Board of Canada. Retrieved 30 July 2012.