Why filmmaker Ezra Soiferman would rather spend his winters in Montreal than Florida

Ezra Soiferman
Ezra Soiferman is one Canadian who never gets sick of the snow, even though his native Montreal can boast being one of the snowiest cities in Canada most years. Now his new film celebrates how Montreal copes with the white stuff. (Ezra Soiferman photo)

Subscribe to (opens a new window)

Montreal filmmaker Ezra Soiferman loves the winters in his native city so much, he’s made a new film about them, called Montréal, Snowbec. It’s a love letter to the season where the city is covered by nearly six feet of white stuff each year. In the film, Soiferman showcases the beauty of Place Ville Marie’s searchlight, plus many Jewish winter scenes, including two Hasidic men walking through a snow covered lane, and the famous St. Viateur bagel bakery, in the snow.

Soiferman feels Montrealers who spend winters in Florida or Arizona are missing out on the joys of the season, from watching snowplows clean the streets to driving by the white-capped iconic Orange Julep restaurant.

Ezra Soiferman’s film was released two weeks ago and is already getting people smiling, which was his aim. He joins The CJN Daily host Ellin Bessner—a former Montrealer—to compare notes and memories of potholes, driveway plastic car protectors and sledding on Mount Royal.

Watch the film

What we talked about

Watch the extended interview with Ellin and Ezra Soiferman here on The CJN’s YouTube channel.

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here.