Inside Vancouver

Known to many as Hollywood North, Vancouver has been an integral part of the Canadian film industry for close to a century, and is the third largest film production centre in North America, after Los Angeles and New York City. While big budget blockbuster films like Fantastic Four and I, Robot are a part of the Vancouver film production assemblage, so are a variety of notable smaller budget and independent films that explore the rich culture of the city, along with its stunning natural surroundings, unique neighbourhoods, and a slew of Canadian talent. It’s always hard to narrow it down, but below are six of the best locally produced films in the greater Vancouver area over the last 28 years. Have a favourite? Post it up below and add to the list!

Eve and The Fire Horse (2005)

Directed by Canadian Julia Kwan, this is the story of a precocious 9-year-old girl and her experiences growing up in Chinese Canadian culture in the 1970s. Filmed in Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Vancouver, the film captures the essence of this era with humorous candor, winning it the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the Claude Jutra Award for best feature film by a first time director in Canada. Watch the trailer here.

My Life Without Me (2003)

Filmed in New Westminster, Burnaby, and Vancouver, this is the story of a young mother with a simple family life, who creates and executes a list of things to do during her last two months to live, after she’s diagnosed with terminal cancer. This heartbreaking personal journey is beautifully directed by Isabel Coixet, and is uplifting, even though the premise is quite tragic. Keep an eye out for the illustrious Deborah Harry as the mother. Watch the trailer here.

My Father’s Angel (1999)

This film deals with topics like ethnic violence, genocide, crimes against humanity, and the conflicts between Serbian and Croatian refugees. Directed by Davor Marjanovic, and set in East Vancouver (where it was entirely shot on location), the budget for this film was quite small, but it is beautifully done and serves as both a heart-breaking tale of those brutalized by war, while also reminding the viewer of the value and equality of human life.

Kissed (1996)

Montreal, Quebec-born Lynne Stopkewich directed this dark tale of fascination, love, death, and desire. Sandra Larson, played by British Columbian actress Molly Parker, explores mortality and her lifelong fascination with death through her developing addiction to necrophilia. While this topic could have led to grisly and sensationalist footage, it is artistically done and sensitively made. Watch the trailer here.

Double Happiness (1994)

The story of twenty-two year old Chinese-Canadian Jade Li, played by Sandra Oh, who comes from a traditional Chinese family and struggles to find a balance between her creative pursuits, finding personal fulfillment, and making the life choices necessary to keep her family happy. Written and directed by Mina Shum (who was born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver), it was filmed entirely in Vancouver. Watch a clip here.

The Grey Fox (1982)

Written by John Hunter, directed by Philip Bursos, and with a soundtrack by Canadian composer Michael Conway Baker and the Chieftains, this is the story of the notorious stagecoach robber Bill Miner (otherwise known as the Gentleman Bandit), played by Richard Farnsworth. This lyrical tale is a refreshing approach to the usual Western as it’s sensitive, reflective, and shows a respectful portrayal of the early 20th century feminist. The scenery reflects Vancouver and its surrounding areas, including Lillooet, and Pemberton, among others. Watch a clip here.