With the worldwide success of Broadway’s Musical Come From Away, Newfoundland Tourism must be seeing an uptick in visitors. The Play shows the true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them after 9/11. Coupled with the hugely successful Discovery TV series Frontier shot in Newfoundland about the North American Fur trade in the 1700s, Newfoundland is trending. This can only lead to a lot of people planing a vacation to discover Newfoundland soon.
Newfoundland Vacation
If you are planning a trip to Newfoundland, and not into the usual travel guide books, here are some movies that will give you a sense of the culture and what you can expect.
Maudie Film
This movie is a must-see and it’s not just because the author,Sherry White is from my hometown of Stephenville, Newfoundland. Maudie is based on the true story romance of Maud Lewis (Sally Hawkins) and fish peddler Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke). In the movie, Lewis hires Maud as a housekeeper. Although Maud struggles with Arthritis and a desire for independence from her family who does not believe she is capable. As her art gains popularity the two marry. Shot in Newfoundland, the movie shows Maudie’s deep love for the reclusive Lewis and her rise to fame as a folk painter.
This movie got 89% on Rotten Tomatoes
You can watch the trailer here.
A typical story in Newfoundland, a small community is struggling to survive due to closing of fishing industry. In order to secure a lucrative factory contract, they must have a local doctor as a resident. Thus, begins the grand seduction of a doctor who landed in the town for one month, in the hopes he will stay permanently. The film stars Taylor Kitsch, Brendan Gleeson, Liane Balaban and Newfoundland’s own Gordon Pinsent.
Watch the trailer here.
Roger Ebert gave it a 3 out of 4 star rating, and Rotten Tomatoes gave it 60%.
Newfoundland Fishing Boat
I remember reading this book for a University Literature class. The 2002 TV mini series staring Colm Meaney and Aoife McMahon shows the harsh life of Newfoundland in the early 1800s. It follows Mary’s life and death struggle to survive. Mary, like all those living in the Cape, survive by working together to help one another through hardship and tragedy. This aspect of survival is engrained in people today living in Newfoundland. No matter what happens they will rally to help others to ensure everyone survives.
See the trailer here.
With Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, this 2001 movie is the biggest star-studded film on the list. Newfoundland’s own Gordon Pinsent also stars in the film about a man, Quoyle (Kevin Spacey), on a self-discovery journey as he returns with his aunt to their ancestral home in Newfoundland. As Quoyle finds work as a reporter he uncovers secrets about his ancestors while he builds a new life in Newfoundland with friends, a rewarding job and a relationship.
This movie got 62% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch the trailer here.
Not just because it has Cathy Jones, Rick Mercer and Mary Walsh, both of whom I love. The 1992 ‘political thriller’ was funded by First Choice and CBC. The plot starts with actual film footage of Confederation. It soon switches to follow graduate history student, Frieda Vokey, as she returns to her native Newfoundland. Frieda is searching for proof of a conspiracy surrounding the referendum that saw Newfoundland join Canada. The fact that the film is made in Newfoundland with Newfoundland actors really gives you a sense of life in the province in the 90s.
You can watch the movie on YouTube.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiIOurc19aA
Bonus
Newfoundland Planning
As a bonus, if you want to get a taste of Newfoundland sense of humor check out late 80s/early 90s Newfoundland comedy show Codco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWbJZTQFiRw
Watch series 1, episode 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CODCO
And yes Mary Walsh and Cathy Jones are in this too!
