Clearcut (1991)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Ryszard Bugajski

Writers:

Robert Forsyth (writer)
M.T. Kelly (novel)

Release Date:

9 July 1992 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Western

Plot:

When a lawyer loses an appeal to stop a logging company from clear-cutting Native American land, Arthur...

Plot Keywords:

Native American | Independent Film | Based On Novel

Cast

Therry Bannon	...	Sweat Lodge Singer #2
John Boylan
Harvey Churchill	...	Sweat Lodge Singer #1
Graham Greene	...	Arthur
Phil Harns	...	Policeman
Michael Hogan	...	Bud Rickets
Tom Jackson	...	Tom Starblanket
Rebecca Jenkins	...	Louise
Ron Lea	...	Peter Maguire
Steve Mousseau	...	Nasty Cop
Andrew Proctor	...	Regional Police Officer #1
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Hunter
Jari Sarkka	...	Regional Police Officer #2
David A. Sutton	...	Pilot
Raoul Trujillo	...	Eugene
Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman	...	Wilf
Michael Willar	...	News Cameraman #1

Runtime:

100 min | Germany:92 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Cinexus Capital Corporation

Quotes:

Arthur: You hate me, don't you? You hate me so much you're scared shitless! You see, a man tears the wings off a bird and he hates it because it can't fly and then it scares him because he doesn't know what it's good for- floppin' around on the floor like a fish...

Movie Connections:

References The Last Wave (1977)

Devasting and thought provoking

Without a doubt, one of the more realistically shocking and provocative films I have ever seen. One of the most important "lost" independent films ever. Definitely ranks in the top 5 best Canadian films ever.

I don't want to describe it too much, because it is best viewed with virgin eyes - no expectations.

The short summary is that a logging company has gone too far with its clear-cutting of the great Canadian woods, now subject to native Indian terror attacks against the loggers. A nebbish Toronto lawyer gets involved in the case, and meets a mysterious Indian (the always wonderful and most talented Graham Greene). What follows is a harrowing and devastating journey not only into the ancient woods of Canada, but into the darkest recesses of the human soul. Anger, rage, revenge, violence, redemption, tolerance, and ECOLOGY - all words to describe the feelings and attitudes of this shocking film. A definite MUST SEE! - unfortunately though, this is one of the rarest films made in the last 20 years. Never shown on TV, and pretty much unavailable on VHS (forget DVD, at least as far as I know it was never released on disc). Best chance is to pick it up in Canada at an art-house vid store. If you do ever see the box, don't miss the chance, rent it! Clearcut is proof that cinema is and always should be, the leading art form of our society. Films like this challenge, provoke, and serve as catharses. They have a purpose, and it is more than just to entertain. I was 16 when I saw it, and it changed my view of the world, in a positive way. It made me aware of issues while helping me explore the human psyche. Probably one of the few R rated films I would recommend that young people view (supervised of course) - it might actually enlighten them on issues of violence and rage in society.

WATCH CLEARCUT BY ALL MEANS!

SUPPORT Canadian CINEMA!! It should be so much better and richer than what it is - what is wrong with Canucks? Egoyan, Arcand, Jewison and Cronenberg cannot be the only popular cinema talents in one of the greatest countries on earth?!