The National Parks Project

Season 1
On the eve of Parks Canada's centennial, over 52 of the country's finest film and audio artists embark on a historic expedition to capture the majesty of the landscape in music and film.
201113 episodes7+
Available to buy

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Gwaii Hannas

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Vancouver filmmaker Scott Smith joins singer/songwriters Sarah Harmer, Bry Webb and Jim Guthrie on a mission to make a short film and soundtrack that captures the essence of Gwaii Haanas National Park in British Columba. The downtown artists explore the challenges of creative collaboration in the wilderness, with amazing wildlife and the rich culture of the Haida people as inspiration.
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  2. S1 E2 - Sirmilk

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    On the frozen waters of Eclipse Sound north of Baffin Island in Nunavut, four artists battle the elements and collaborate on a short film about Sirmilik National Park. Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk hopes to film the Arctic wildlife. While he tracks the park's elusive seals and polar bears, throat singer Tanya Tagaq rediscovers her connection to the nearby town of Pond Inlet.
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  3. S1 E3 - Waterton Lakes

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    ALL
    Director Peter Lynch makes a film about Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, the home of his wife's family. But with record rains falling on Waterton Lakes, his mission could be in jeopardy. Meanwhile, hip hop artist Cadence Weapon, kalimba player Laura Barrett and pop songwriter Mark Hamilton try to unite their disparate styles to write the soundtrack for Peter's film.
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  4. S1 E4 - Gros Morne

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    In Gros Morne National Park, director Sturla Gunnarsson has a plan: to film three different city musicians, playing separately at dawn. Former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur is up for the task. As they visit the park's geological wonders together, tensions rise, and their final performance at the majestic cliffs of Green Gardens is put in jeopardy.
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  5. S1 E5 - Nahanni

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Known as the "Dangerous River," the Northwest Territories' South Nahanni River is one of the world's legendary waterways. It's an unlikely place for Toronto rapper Shad and Montreal psych-rockers the Besnard Lakes to collaborate on a soundtrack for a documentary by director Kevin McMahon.
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  6. S1 E6 - Kluane

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Kluane National Park & Reserve in the Yukon protects an extreme natural environment. Guitarist Ian D'Sa, bassist Mishka Stein and multi-instrumentalist Graham Van Pelt are joining Montreal director Louise Archambault on a trip to make music and a film at the foot of Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan. But a harrowing flight over the Kluane Icefields stands in their way.
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  7. S1 E7 - Wapusk

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Oscar nominee Hubert Davis travels to northern Manitoba with rockers Sam Roberts, Matt Mays and Kathleen Edwards, to make a short film and soundtrack about Wapusk National Park, a noted polar bear sanctuary.
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  8. S1 E8 - Mingan Archipelago

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Tempers flare when veteran Quebec filmmaker Catherine Martin agrees to travel to Mingan Archipelago National Park with three young indie musicians, to collaborate on a short nature film.
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  9. S1 E9 - Bruce Peninsula

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Upstart Toronto filmmaker, Daniel Cockburn tries to make a horror film about Bruce Peninsula National Park; musicians John Samson, Christine Fellows and Sandro Perri explore sunken shipwrecks and unknown musical territory.
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  10. S1 E10 - Prince Edward Island

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Halifax filmmaker John Walker gives three indie musicians their first taste of acting, as he pursues his vision for a short film about Prince Edward Island National Park.
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  11. S1 E11 - Kouchibouguac

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    In Kouchibouguac National Park, filmmaker Jamie Travis and three musicians from the city work together for the first time, trying to create a short film and score inspired by the landscape.
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  12. S1 E12 - Prince Albert

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Three city musicians and filmmaker Stéphane Lafleur discover an unknown side of Saskatchewan and visit the cabin of naturalist Grey Owl, as they work on a short film and soundtrack about Prince Albert National Park.
    Available to buy
  13. S1 E13 - Cape Breton Highlands

    April 30, 2011
    22min
    7+
    Director Keith Behrman returns to filmmaking after a long hiatus, joining three songwriters on a quest to find inspiration in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
    Available to buy