And then there's Maude

If ever a documentary reeked of self-interest, this is it. The National Film Board of Canada, a once-lauded cultural institution now emaciated by cutbacks and threatened by global trade deals which do not protect Canadian culture, has produced a documentary about the one person who tirelessly crusades against free trade: Maude Barlow, president of the Council of Canadians. >> Glowingly, gushingly titled Democracy à la Maude, the hour-long documentary chronicles her life's activism in defense of social programs and national sovereignty. While the film offers a lot of information, its bias is often too evident. When asked about her failed attempt to enter federal politics, for example, Barlow gives the pat lefty response: "I'm glad I lost," she says, "because I can still claim that I've never been co-opted by the system." >> Still, Barlow is undoubtedly among the most eloquent defenders of the social safety net in Canada today. Decrying the paltry amount of taxes paid by large corporations, she points out that "there is enough money in this world today to pay for every school and every hospital that we need, if only we had the guts to go after it." >> The Montreal premiere of Democracy à la Maude takes place Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. in the Amphitheatre of Dawson College (3040 Sherbrooke W.). Bonus: the film also features copious footage of Conrad Black spewing his reactionary right-wing bile. >> Finally, a call to all Maudies: a demonstration against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, beginning at Victoria Square. Barlow will be speaking at McGill University April 6 & 7 (info: 342-4884). --Philip Preville