Take a trip to 2037 Saskatchewan for the world's first psychedelic polydimensional comfort food
'When the colonizer no longer sees himself in his colony, can decolonization begin — or is it complete?'
"Marco's Oriental Noodles" by Howie Shia
As the country marks 150 years of Confederation, five of Canada's most distinguished filmmakers respond to Buffy Sainte-Marie's call to "Keep Calm and Decolonize" and offer an alternative vision. Watch all five films now.
A note from series curator Jesse Wente
When the colonizer no longer sees himself in his colony, can decolonization begin — or is it complete? Animator Howie Shia imagines a Saskatchewan small town of the future by way of Blade Runner, mixing futuristic hallucinogens with diner food. It's a heady mix, as Shia draws us into a refracted future where food both sustains but also extends, and where what we eat can be central to notions of decolonizing the mind and body. Beautifully animated and wonderfully bizarre, this short will make you think...and make you hungry for change.
About the filmmaker, Howie Shia
Howie is a Toronto and New York-based illustrator, animator, writer, and director. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, his films have garnered acclaim and awards around the world, including the Tokyo Anime Fair 2007 Grand Prix for Flutter, and a CSA nomination for his 2015 short, BAM.
Howie has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the National Film Board of Canada as well as worked as a creator and producer for Disney, Freemantle and Amazon amongst others. His illustrations have been the face of projects for the likes of Nike, the Donny McCaslin Group (David Bowie's last band), and jazz legend David Binney.
Along with his brothers, Howie is the co-founder of PPF House, a Toronto music, film, and design studio. His current projects include 3 graphic novels, several short films, a baby, and another kid. Luckily, his wife is a superhero.
From shadow puppets to documentary, Keep Calm and Decolonize explores what a "decolonized" Canada might look like, imagining a world no longer bound by the structures you know, where the circle of voices is larger. Watch all five films now.