Finally, there may soon be a Canuck movie to finally silence the naysayers who automatically dismiss Canadian film (in spite of the fact many have never actually watched any significant amount of Canadian film in the first place) because they are too small, boring and depressing.

I just got back from Calgary where I had the opportunity to visit the massive and impressive set of Passchendaele, the 20 million dollar World War I epic written and directed by Paul Gross. Better known for his TV stint as a mountie on Due South or for his big-screen comedy Men With Brooms, Gross is, from what I saw, creating a vast film that should give any Hollywood pic a run for the money (if the look of the set has anything to do with it anyhow).

Passchendaele was one of the most horrific battles of the First World War in which tens of thousands of Canadians died on a muddy battlefield, many drowning in the quagmire because the fight occurred during the worst storm in 30 years in France on a plain below sea level. It would have been like fighting in 3 feet of pudding, you know, if that 3 feet of pudding was filled with dead bodies, horses, carts and ammunition.

For Gross, it has been a very personal accomplishment to even get his movie this far. Not only has he dreamed about writing this film (inspired by war tales of his own Grandfather), but to compile the money is a testament to his own mettle. And like I said, it looks amazing. Standing in the middle of that huge, muddy battleground set gives one the impression of what the real fields of Ypres must have looked like (if you can get past the production assistant in the Hawaiian shirt and the swarthy, sweaty grips stuffing muffins into their faces that is).

So, will Passchendaele pay off for Gross? Will Canuck audiences care to see a 90 year old war story so rich in Canadian history? After all, this is not a documentary. And its not made for the CBC. And it is not Flags of our Fathers, by which I mean, it is not an American war story, which sadly, seems to be its biggest marketing flaw.

Even as I flew to Calgary to cover this set visit, I ran into many people who had no idea what Passchendaele was (the battle, let alone the movie). Well, maybe that is good. Maybe people will wake up and finally take an interest in a Canadian story that does not involve hockey, hosers or Alan Thicke. Believe me, we have as rich and as dramatic a history as anything Hollywood could produce, and I hope Canadian moviegoers realize this when Passchendaele opens next year.

Do not be humble, my Canuck friends. Be proud. If there is one thing that is truly ours to acknowledge -- its our place in the First World War. It was the lynch pin that created this country which in turn creates films we pass up to see Good Luck Chuck instead. Hopefully, Paul Gross will be the lynch pin that changes that a little.