Getting ready for the new Canada Circlevision 360 film
Thanks to the LaughingPlace.com we have some additional details on the upcoming revision of the CircleVision 360 film over at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot. The information, though not much more than we already reported, comes from the Canadian Tourism Commission.
Now, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and tourism industry partners have collaborated with the Walt Disney World Resort and Walt Disney Imagineering to give this movie a facelift. The newly enhanced film spotlights Canada in a modern, witty way - much like the CTC’s new Brand Canada - by showcasing Canada’s self-deprecating sense of humour and best-loved icons in a fresh, unexpected way.
This fall, the reworked version will light up the screen in the Canada pavilion at Epcot. Actor Martin Short, a Hamilton, ON native, confronts Canadian misconceptions head- on and demystifies them. Viewers take a journey through a country they thought they knew, but discover Canada is so much more than vast landscapes.
The film is 14 minutes in length with 65% new footage, including six new aerials of Montréal, QC, Toronto, ON, Calgary, AB, Vancouver and Victoria, BC and Niagara Falls, ON. Instead of cars, clothes and cityscapes, the film takes in acrobatic Cirque du Soleil performances and rowdy rodeo action at the Calgary Stampede. Scenes portray Canada’s diverse people, culture and wilderness - a modern, young and beautiful nation. The soundtrack features 2006 “Canadian Idol” winner Eva Avila, a singer from Québec.
The Canadian Tourism Commission apparently had been receiving many complaints by Canadian citizens visiting Walt Disney World who found the film dated and therefore unflattering. Considering it was shot over a quarter of a century ago, that is not so hard to believe. The Commission worked for years to get the film changed to something that looks more like the Canada that exists now.
I always enjoyed the old film, regardless of the “dated” aspects. However, I do understand what the problem was. Very few people who attend Epcot have any idea when the film was shot. To them, it might as well have been shot last week. With that in mind, the original was the reason I travelled to Canada on more than one occasion so it does deserve credit for being effective in its time.
According to many sources, the song used for this film will be the same song that has been used in the original film since it opened in 1982. However, I am questioning that. The song was a duet, and clearly written that way. The information here states that only one performer will be singing it. Unless that is not entirely correct, they will either need a different song or a major re-write.