White Lies (1998) (TV)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Kari Skogland

Writer:

Dennis Foon (writer)

Release Date:

29 March 1998 (Canada)

Plot:

How can a smart middle class girl suddenly turn into a devoted right wing debater? That's what happens with Catherine when she meets the charismatic leaders of the neo-nazi organization NIM.

Plot Keywords:

Neo Nazi | Hate | Journalism | Hate Crime | White Power

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Sarah Polley	...	Catherine Chapman
Tanya Allen	...	Erina Baxter
Jonathan Scarfe	...	Ian McKee
Lynn Redgrave	...	Inga Kolneder
Joseph Kell	...	Rex Brennan
Albert Schultz	...	Alan Green
Regan Moore	...	Wayne
Danny Smith	...	Khaki Kid
Mark Terene	...	Teacher
Michelle St. John	...	TV Newsperson 1
Peter Cookson	...	Horrible Skinhead
Carley Chapdelaine	...	Skinhead Girl
Cassel Miles	...	Bill
Tara Rosling	...	Karen
Michael Dyson	...	Security Guard

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and some sexuality.

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Canada

Company:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Big potential, small payoff

This film sets up with similar promise (and similar premise) to that of the far superior AMERICAN HISTORY X. It, sadly, falls well short of realizing that potential. It is well shot and extremely well acted, but lacks any sort of moral commitment or center. After watching the film, I was left to ponder whether or not director Kari Skogland felt that the Neo-Nazi movement- specifically this group, called N.I.M., the National Identity Movement- was a negative force in Canadian society or a misunderstood faction under siege by evil and violent "Anti-Racists."

The only compelling- I should say the only likeable- characters were Nazis; the super-intelligent and sympathetic main character Catherine Chapman, starring brilliant young actor Sarah Polley, the Grandmotherly Mrs. "K," lovingly portrayed by the reliable Lynn Redgrave, committed and affable Erina Baxter, played convincingly by Tanya Allen and charismatic Rex Brennan, brought to life by Joseph Kell.

The other side, the aforementioned "Anti-Racists," are either self-serving demagogues or faceless automatons chanting, picketing and committing acts of violence against N.I.M. and its members. At one point, they even fire bomb N.I.M. headquarters, badly burning a N.I.M. footsoldier. The head Anti-Racist is the ambitious and sleazy Alan Greene (played by Albert Schultz), who has many run-ins with the N.I.M. poster-girl Catherine Chapman (Code Name "Hot Head") throughout the film. He never comes off as either noble or trustworthy in the film and ultimately manipulates Catherine for his own gain.

I'm certain the film was intended to be a study of how easily disaffected youth can be caught up in the rising tide of this type of hate group. This mark is missed, however, and the main character begins and ends the film sounding like a victim of anti-White, anti-Christian hatred. Not nearly enough set-up is dedicated to Catherine's feelings of despair and lack of connectivity. Only an essay entitled "Christmas Is Dead," which she wrote and narrates at the onset of the film, gives us even a glimpse. The essay, by the way, reeks of Right-Wing propaganda and is delivered in voiceover narrative as the film's set-up. Some things are briefly hinted at, like her inability to secure a part time job because she doesn't speak Cantonese, but nothing is ever explored and the film deteriorates into predictable plotlines and plot devices- she's even murdered by her Nazi ex-boyfriend in what (surprise!) turns out to be a dream. There's also the subplot of her pregnancy to that same Nazi ex-boyfriend, which evaporates in an instant before our eyes without ever having so much as a shred of impact on the story.

There are a lot of great Canadian films- and a lot of great films dealing with the issue of hate groups- being made. This one doesn't fit either category.