[From the archives] What’s so great about Montreal winters? Ezra Soiferman’s new film captures the beauty of Snowbec

This episode originally aired on March 15, 2023.

Montreal filmmaker Ezra Soiferman loves the winters in his native city so much, he’s made a new film about them, called Montreal, 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 North Star host Ellin Bessner—a former Montrealer—to compare notes and memories of potholes, driveway plastic car protectors and sledding on Mount Royal.

What we talked about

• Watch

Montreal, Snowbec

for free on

Ezra Soiferman’s YouTube channel

• Read more about the filmmaker

on his website

• Learn about Ezra Soiferman’s previous films, in

The CJN

Credits

• Host and writer:

Ellin Bessner

• Production team:

Zachary Judah Kauffman (senior producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director)

• Music:

Bret Higgins