WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Oh to acknowledge the place we call home. That wonderful locale where we discover our friends, our career, our identity as residents of the great nation in which we were born to–or–not born to. When it comes to immigrating to that country we wish to consider our abode, well, that may be a whole different and–challenging–process. Take for example one particular immigrant candidate (Florian Francois), whose desire to become a bigger (and legal!) part of his current land of occupancy has taken on a rather–drastic–method of showcasing it.
Coming into the local Immigration Office in Toronto, Canada, the candidate immediately launches into sitting down and expressing emphatically his desire to call both Canada and the city of Toronto his home, much to the initial confusion and annoyance of the Immigration Agent (Dan Willmott). Attempting to cease the candidate’s actions, unsuccessfully, the agent sits in disbelief as he is inundated with a flurry proof, physical and otherwise, that the candidate puts forth to illustrate his love of the country and the overt longing for the them to accept him in. Of course, it all ends with an unforeseen statement the agent finally gets to say that changes everything.
Next, my Mind:
In the short timespan of only four plus minutes, director/editor Katarzyna Kochany manages to quite effectively, and with great humor, poke some serious fun at one of the largest national issues currently being faced here in the United States–immigration and those involved who are trying to get in along with those in the bureaucracy who are either approving or denying the applicants. While this example of it all utilizes an immigrant looking to make Canada their place of dwelling, even that actually rings true in concept for this country and all the fuss being made over internationally-based immigrants, or those already here illegally at present, who now want to make a concerted effort to become legit. It’s a political firestorm, controversy-laden, and honestly in many ways bogged down in potentially needless establishment-driven craziness and press frenzy so often associated with it. Here, however, its again a whimsical jab at the whole notion of immigration, hilariously portrayed.
Francois is a complete stitch as the candidate, whose more that just a tad overzealous to make his intentions known to find permanent habitation in his beloved country of two years–that he’s therefore already been active in illegally for that period, taking full advantage of all the benefits he can while establishing a life, then deciding it’s time to become officially Canadian. Francois is so adept at this style of physical humor as well as straight up silliness that it actually makes the heart of the whole effort stronger at its core theme. Likewise, Willmott is simple perfection as the long-suffering immigration agent who has the unenviable duty to just sit at his desk and accept the onslaught of insanity coming at him, even while trying his best to get a word in edgewise. When he does get the chance to finally state an up to then undisclosed fact to the candidate, it puts a wonderful and jocular exclamation point on the whole affair. Very well-executed by Willmott and the actors together, as comedy is all timing.
In total, “Yes I Canada” is a fun little indie short film effort that comes at a very apropos time in the United States’ history given the state of things now currently being experienced with the crackdown on illegals paired with the dealing with those legitimate persons who wish to make the country their new home. But, while all the seriousness is seen on the news and debated amongst us all, take a moment away from the chaos and check out this wonderful gem of a film to find something to smile about.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
