Hockey. Cold weather. Justin Trudeau. Three things from which Canada derives the bulk of its media attention. A country bereft of the sensational streak that is unique to its neighbor further south, to Americans, and many around the world, Canada, to this day, remains very much an enigma as it concerns how to characterize its culture and its people. As a result, the country that takes the Maple Leaf as its flag, and is the birthplace of basketball, is often under-appreciated for what it contributes to the world stage -- be it politics, commerce, or engagements that involve a more artistic sensibility.

Among the areas where Canada is seldom recognized is for its instrumental hand in the success that has allowed Hollywood to be perceived as the zenith of motion picture achievement. From legends such as Norma Shearer to Mary Pickford to current idols such as Ryan Gosling and Reynolds, the names from Canada lining the Walk of Fame in Tinseltown shine as brightly as the stars sprayed upon the American Flag. Here are five of the best filmmakers who call Canada as their place of origin:

5. Paul Haggis

Born and raised in the quiet town of London, Ontario, Paul Haggis moved to the United Kingdom to pursue photography. However, after returning to Canada and graduating from Fanshawe College, Haggis decided to try his hand in film in 1975 and relocated to Los Angeles where he currently resides.

Best known for Directing and Writing "Crash", which won him two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Motion Picture, Haggis is also responsible for authoring the scripts that lead to the success of "Million Dollar Baby" and "Casino Royale".

4. Denis Villeneuve

A graduate of the University du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM), Denis Villeneuve began his film career making short films for Radio Canada's youth film competition La Course Europe-Asie. Making his feature-film debut in 1998 for the movie "August 32nd on Earth", Villeneuve has since sown seeds that have sprouted into a fruitful cinematic tenure.

Best known for his science fiction epic "Arrival", which garnered him an Academy Award for Best Director, Villeneuve is also credited for pioneering masterpieces such as "Prisoners", "Sicario", and "Incendies" -- which garnered the native of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, his first Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. Having recently directed "Blade Runner 2049" which was released to rapturous reviews, all roads point to Eldorado for Villeneuve.

3. Norman Jewison

Although he hasn't made a film in 14 years, Norman Jewison gained a reputation in Hollywood for addressing a broad range of controversial issues both in the political, and social sphere throughout his directing and producing career. Remembered for delivering cinematic tour de forces such as "Fiddler on the Roof", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Moonstruck", and "The Hurricane", Jewison's unrivalled prowess as a motion picture visionary has translated into three Oscar nominations, and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award -- an honour bestowed upon him in 1998 at the 71st Academy Awards.

2. David Cronenberg

Primarily known for his films in science fiction and venereal horror, David Cronenberg has made a career polarizing audiences and critics for his explicit depictions of gore and violence. Nevertheless, according to the "Village Voice", he is lauded as the most audacious and challenging narrative director in the English speaking world.

Known for his frequent collaborations with Viggo Mortensen, Cronenberg is credited with pioneering the acclaim of crime dramas "History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises" -- which was considered one of the best films of 2007 and received an Oscar nomination. However, the Toronto native is primarily remembered for his science fiction horror "The Fly" which spawned the quote: "Be afraid. Be very afraid", a saying that remains ingrained within the conscience of contemporary pop culture. "Time" currently deems "The Fly" as one of the best 25 horror films ever made.

1. James Cameron

For all the Hollywood bluster that comes with the mention of James Cameron, few ever suspect that the very epitome of American Filmmaking called Niagara Falls, Ontario home for the first seventeen years of his life. Moving down to Brea, California in 1971, Cameron entered college as a physics major, then switched to English, before dropping out entirely to roll cameras full-time.

Spawning cultural and box office hits such as "Terminator" and "Aliens", his cinematic masterpieces "Titanic" and "Avatar" are currently the second highest, and highest grossing movies of all time. And as a cherry on top of all the paper piled up in his bank account, Cameron also holds three Oscars to his name.