But what exactly were these films, and why do they hold such a cherished place in the hearts of a generation? Released between 1978 and 1984, Talespinners is a collection of 14 animated short films produced by the NFB. Unlike the abstract or experimental work the NFB is also known for, this series had a specific, child-friendly mission: to bring multicultural folk tales and classic children’s stories to life.
Narrated by the legendary Montreal Canadiens goalie , this 10-minute film is a rite of passage for Canadian children. Based on Roch Carrier’s short story The Hockey Sweater , it tells the tragicomic tale of a young boy in rural Quebec who idolizes Maurice "Rocket" Richard. When his mother orders him a new Canadiens sweater from Eaton’s catalogue, a mistake sends him a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey instead. nfb talespinners
The series also pioneered a specific NFB style of : slow, deliberate, and meditative. These are not hyper-kinetic cartoons. They trust children to sit with a mood, listen to a narrator, and absorb a lesson without loud sound effects every two seconds. Where Are They Now? For years, Talespinners was trapped on VHS or 16mm film reels in school board libraries. Fortunately, the NFB has done an incredible job digitizing its catalog. But what exactly were these films, and why