The Masculine Mystique

Placed in context this was an interesting little examination of the Canadian male psyche in the 80's.

This was a period in history when the National Film Board's famous Studio D was winning acclaim and attention left and right. The work by Women Canadian film makers seemed to be the only justification for all those millions of tax dollars disappearing down a black hole of the NFB.

This film was put together by a group of male producers at the NFB seemingly as an answer to their female counterparts. It is half documentary, with a group of men from different backgrounds, sitting in a dark studio discussing their attitudes and problems with women and their roles as men. It is half dramatic re-creation with documentary crews capturing those men at home and with their spouses and kids in candid moments. The film did so well it spawned two fictional sequels: 90 Days and The Last Straw.