Twenty years ago, Vancouver didn't exist on any map of the film world. Today, Vancouver is at the heart of two film worlds. The city's American-based film industry is powerful enough to inspire loathing and threats from Hollywood, and its Canadian-based film scene is among the most acclaimed, provocative independent filmmaking communities anywhere. Vancouver Province movie critic David Spaner's Dreaming in the Rain is the story of West Coast Canada's emergence as a movie capital, from its early days as a Hollywood studio backlot, to its emergence as a place for movies of the week and television series like The X-Files, to its being home for local filmmakers like Mina Shum, Lynne Stopkewich, Bruce Sweeney, and countless others, who remain resolutely independent.

Along with tracing the art and commerce of Vancouver filmmaking, he brings to life the flamboyant film personalities who left their marks. There are Errol Flynn and his young companion Beverly Aadland, who spent the movie swashbuckler's last days partying in the Vancouver night life of the 1950s. There is also Robert Altman, who pioneered the Vancouver film industry, making films in the city long before becoming a legendary director. And there are local heroes such as The Matrix's Carrie Anne Moss, who grew up in Vancouver, and Kissed star Molly Parker and director Lynne Stopkewich, vital players in the groundbreaking Vancouver indie scene. And many more.

Dreaming in the Rain features David's own interviews with, among others, Robert Altman, Molly Parker, John Travolta, Lynne Stopkewich, Beverly Aadland, Stephen J. Cannell, John Frankenheimer, Carrie Anne Moss, Helen Shaver, Mina Shum, Sylvester Stallone, Nicholas Campbell, Ken Olin, Bruce Sweeney, Parker Posey, Chris Haddock, Sandra Oh, Barbara Parkins, Willem Dafoe, Nick Mancuso, Chris Carter, Sandy Wilson, Ian Tracey, Selma Blair, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Carole Laure, Ellie Harvie, Norman Jewison, Barbara Williams, Babz Chula, Bif Naked, and Anne Wheeler.

Includes more than 40 black and white photographs.

David Spaner has been a feature writer, movie critic, reporter, and editor for numerous newspapers and magazines. Born in Toronto and raised in B.C., David is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and Langara College. He’s also been a cultural/political organizer (Yippie and manager of the legendary punk band The Subhumans). David is the author of Dreaming in the Rain: How Vancouver Became Hollywood North By Northwest and Shoot It! Hollywood Inc. and the Rising of Independent Film. His most recent book, Solidarity: Canada’s Unknown Revolution of 1983, was nominated for the George Ryga Prize for Social Awareness in Literature.

David Spaner's profile page

Spaner writes about the rise of the city as one of the major centers of film production not only in North America but in the world.
-Hollywood Reporter

Hollywood Reporter

Spaner does a outstanding job of bringing to life the mover and shakers of the early Vancouver movie scene. . . I would highly recommend this book to anyone one who likes movies.
-CityView

CityView

. . . paints a clear and accurate portrait of an industry that in 20 short years left an undeniable mark on a city and its people.
-The Calgary Herald

The Calgary Herald

. . . a delightful new retrospective on the history of film production. . .
-Vancouver Lifestyles Magazine

Vancouver Lifestyles

Anyone who plans on pursuing a career in filmmaking or just has an interest in independent film would be well served to read this book.
-Nexus

Nexus

. . . [Spaner] has . . . scrupulous attention to detail and an obvious curiosity and passion for both Vancouver and its film industry.
-Entertainment Today

Entertainment Today