Why Canada needs to produce more shows like Heated Rivalry |
The success of Heated Rivalry provides a blueprint for Canadian film and television's future, writes Jon Petrychyn.Sabrina Lantos/The Associated Press
Jon Petrychyn is an assistant professor of film studies at the University of Regina.
Heated Rivalry is the first great Canadian cultural product to emerge out of the decline of the Canada-U.S. relationship.
The show has become both a critical and audience darling, and many observers have been shocked something this good could be produced in Canada. However, for many others, it’s clear that Heated Rivalry could have only been made in Canada, and not just because it centres on hockey.
Heated Rivalry is the cultural project of our moment because it rejects the anti-LGBT movement south of the border – and potentially heralds the end of American media dominance in Canada.
Heated Rivalry’s creators on why their horny hockey hit is scoring big
The United States has often been a few steps behind Canada on LGBT rights (Canada decriminalized homosexuality in 1969, the U.S. in 2003; Canada legalized same-sex marriage in 2005, the U.S. in 2015). Since the late 1960s, both countries have produced significant LGBT film and television content, but due to the size and weight of the American industry, American products have found more popularity in Canada than our homegrown........