Last week on NFB.ca: Take a ride with 5 films on transportation

This week’s theme was transportation, and in case you missed any of the films, we’ve rounded them up for you below.

We’ve also included some other interesting stuff we shared this week.

Happy watching. And reading!

What on Earth?

This satirical look at life (and transportation) on earth is brought to us by the powerhouse trio consisting of animators Kaj Pindal and Les Drew, and Donald Brittain, who wrote the brilliant narration. When Martians take a close look at our planet, they determine that cars are the masters and humans are mere parasites. Hm.

What on Earth!, Les Drew & Kaj Pindal, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Taxi

One day, we may have to explain how the taxi fit into our transportation system when introducing this film. But for now, taxis are still a popular mode of travel, despite Uber and Lyft’s arrival on the scene. In this film, we get up close and personal with the drivers, fleet operators, and dispatchers.

Taxi!, Barry Greenwald, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Trawna Tuh Belvul

For years, before I actually saw this film, I thought the title was Yiddish. Never occurred to me it was “Toronto* to Belleville.” Oh, well. Enjoy this animated version of Earle Birney’s poem, Trawna Tuh Belvul by Knayjim Psifik. (Get it?)

Trawna Tuh Belvul, Martin Rose, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Mobility

Travel back in time to the mid-80s and take a look at the issues affecting urban transportion in developing countries. For a short film, it provides some in-depth analysis and proposes some surprising solutions.

Mobility, Roger Hart, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Automania

This animated short from 1994 also takes a look at our obsession with cars. It takes a different perspective than What on Earth? (no Martians), but the point is pretty much the same. Have we become too dependent on our favourite method of transportation?

Automania, Robert Awad, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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*A previous version of this post mistakenly identified the film as Train to Belleville. H/T to Albert Ohayon for pointing it out.