Following the box office success of the movie American Sniper, True Northeast Films is currently shooting a prequel to the American screen story entitled ‘Canadian Sniper’. Director Squint Westwood, known for his penchant for controversy, has already scouted locations in Afghanistan and Iraq, perhaps even Syria, the setting for the final scenes in the movie.
The plot line of the movie follows a young sniper who learns his specialty shooting the enemy with a Macmillan TAC 50 in Afghanistan. He recorded many ‘kills’ but he came home to face inquiries and possible court martial for ‘behavior unbecoming’. He talked about his shooting experiences over a beer in a bar and a politician in disguise hears this as bravado and files a complaint with DND. The sniper, played by Canadian icon, Kenny Sunderland turns to his father the old colonel for advice because he is troubled by the memories of his ‘kills’. His married life is in shambles because . . . of misfires.
The colonel, Ken’s real-life father, another famous Canadian thespian, Ronald Sunderland, who incidentally has a piece of the financial action in the film, then tells his story of being a sniper in the Bosnia conflict. In both storylines, we find that neither the then Prime Minister Cretin, nor the current PM, understand exactly what their troops are doing. The Rules of Engagement clearly stated, for the Opposition politicos, are that the Special Operations troops would not cross the front line to engage the enemy. Alas, the old Generals who drew up the ROE’s were still using the text books from WWII where there were clear lines of occupation by the enemy. Today’s enemy, ignoring such niceties as rules and borders move around freely, seeking targets of opportunity, which they themselves become, in Ken’s mind.
The movie bogs down during the scenes where the politicians argue the ethics of war while the commanding officer mutters about the fog of war and the Foreign Affairs minister shouts, although the cinematography is great in the House of Commons. The Member from Kicking Horse Pass attempts a filibluster about Canadians being Peace Keepers, not Peace Makers but he gets lost in reverie and the Speaker orders him to sit and pay attention. The House adjourns for the Christmas break and Kenny returns to Iraq or is it Syria.
Spoiler alert: In a moving speech to the Prime Minister, the father begs to lead a mission to find his son and his three-man team who are Missing in Action behind enemy lines. The Prime Minister stands before the House and says they must follow the ROE and no Canadian soldier will cross the front lines. He winks at the Commanding Officer, who smiles and leaves to arrange transport for the old colonel. We see the colonel and his team, played with convincing realism by old movie mercenaries Sly, Willist and Arnie boarding an airplane for who knows where.
True Northeast Films expects Canadian Sniper to bring in millions for the investors, one of whom is the Minister of Finance. Don’t miss it.
