Maylee Todd and Dan Werb (Woodhands) recently released their first single, Make Me A Mirror, as dance-pop duo Ark Analog.
The band is offering a download of their latest single Was That It? on their SoundCloud page. According to the band, Was That It? was heavily inspired, by 80s synth icon Gowan‘s hit, Midnight Desires. Dan and Maylee describe their song as both an “update and homage to this classic about forbidden yearning”. The track will be available on an upcoming split 7″ with Toronto/Berlin electro-crooner Digits. You can preorder the 7″ here.
Ark Analog will be supporting the single release with their first tour in just a few weeks. The full list of dates can be found below.
With Ark Analog, Dan and Maylee have focused their energies on creating a sound that channels the spirit of dark, disaffected disco, married to the math-like synth and drum arrangements pioneered by Kraftwerk. In “Make Me A Mirror”, these two traditions blend effortlessly, with Maylee’s aching vocals playing delicately over a “Man-Machine”-style beat. The veteran touch of Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys), who mixed and helped produce the track, can also be heard in the depth of sound and hints of subtle minimalism that he perfected on the Junior Boys’ albums.
Ark Analog Tour dates
09/08 Toronto, ON – Grolsch Open House (TIFF DJ set)
09/12 Guelph, ON – Silence, presented by Kazoo
09/13 London, ON – Museum London (Steamwhistle Unsigned) *
The official end of Summer in Toronto for me comes with the excitement that is planning for the Toronto International Film Festival, or better known as TIFF.
This year, I will not be able to attend as many film screenings as previous years. However, I compiled a list of films that have piqued my interest in hope that some of you get to see them on my behalf.
I’m listing them here under the Programme you can find them in. Please also note that I did not pick any films that would classify as ‘Hollywood Blockbusters’ nor films that would most likely be released at a theatre near you in the near future.
CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA The Animal Project (Dir. Ingrid Veninger) A Toronto theatre director endures a series of creative and personal travails in this affecting and typically inventive new film from Festival favourite Ingrid Veninger (MODRA, i am a good person/i am a bad person).
Child’s Pose (Dir. Calin Peter Netzer) Romanian director Calin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for this sardonic tale about a wealthy, aging Bucharest matriarch who greases more palms than she can shake as she tries to buy her son’s way out of a hit-and-run conviction.
Cristo Rey (Dir. Leticia Tonos Paniagua) Set in the Dominican Republic, Paniagua’s uniquely Caribbean retelling of Romeo and Juliet chronicles the love between a kind-hearted teenager, ostracized for his mixed Haitian-Dominican descent, and the beautiful sister of a local drug kingpin he’s hired to protect.
Heart of a Lion (Dir. Dome Karukoski) The leader of a gang of racist skinheads finds his prejudices and misplaced loyalties pitted against his desire for love and family when he falls for a waitress whose son is of African descent.
The Immoral (Dir. Lars Daniel Krutzkoff Jacobsen) Jacobsen’s corrosive look at contemporary Norwegian society is also a hilarious and provocative comedy that cuts across class lines and rampages through notions of good taste, as it follows an ex-soldier and a single mother who go into the prostitution business after getting kicked off welfare.
Metalhead (Dir. Ragnar Bragason) Acclaimed Icelandic filmmaker Ragnar Bragason (Children, Parents) directs this darkly comic drama about a grief-stricken young woman who adopts the persona — and decibel-blasting predilections — of her deceased brother.
El Mudo (Dirs. Diego Vega, Daniel Vega) Someone is out to get Constantino Zegarra, a judge with an impressive conviction rate — and any number of enemies. So why is it so hard for others to believe he’s the victim of a conspiracy? This black comedy and offbeat crime procedural combines elements of a paranoid thriller and with social commentary.
The Selfish Giant (Dir. Clio Barnard) This loose update of the Oscar Wilde fable tells the tale of raging, impulsive Arbor, a boy kicked out of school and into an illegal trade, stealing copper cable for sale. With its underclass characters and misty Bradford setting, Clio Barnard’s second feature has the tone of a Dardennes film, but with a distinct British edge.
Stay (Dir. Wiebke von Carolsfeld) Taylor Schilling (Netflix’s Orange is the New Black) stars as a newly-single pregnant woman who confronts an uncertain future in the long-awaited sophomore drama from Wiebke von Carolsfeld (Marion Bridge).
When Evening Falls on Bucharest or Metabolism (Dir. Corneliu Porumboiu)
Image courtesy of Wild Bunch
A director (Bogdan Dumitrache) with two weeks left on his latest film fakes an ulcer in order to delay production and pursue a romance with his lead actress and muse (Diana Avramut). In the hands of Romanian fimmaker Corneliu Porumboiu, this seemingly simple love story becomes a force of cinematic deconstruction similar to his meta police procedural, Police, Adjective.
DISCOVERY 1982 (Dir. Tommy Oliver) A father struggles to protect his daughter from the reality of her mother’s drug addiction in Tommy Oliver’s powerful, semi-autobiographical debut.
Rhymes for Young Ghouls (Dir. Jeff Barnaby) Guided by the spirits of her departed mother and brother, an Aboriginal teenager plots revenge against a sadistic Indian Agent in this fiercely irreverent debut feature from Canadian director Jeff Barnaby.
MASTERS Concrete Night (Dir. Pirjo Honkasalo) A fourteen-year-old boy in a stifling Helsinki slum takes some unwise life lessons from his soon-to-be-incarcerated older brother, in Finnish master Pirjo Honkasalo’s gorgeously stylized and emotionally devastating work about what we pass on to younger generations, and the ways we do it.
How Strange to be Named Federico: Scola narrates Fellini (Dir. Ettore Scola) Combining memoir, archival photos and footage with complete recreation, director Ettore Scola lovingly depicts his relationship with friend, fellow journalist, and icon of postwar Italian cinema, Federico Fellini.
Moebius (Dir. Kim Ki-duk) South Korea’s celebrated perennial provocateur Kim Ki-duk (Pieta) returns with this twisted family chronicle perched somewhere between psychological thriller, grotesque comedy, and perverse ode to the pleasures of sadomasochism.
MAVERICKS What is Cinema? (Dir. Chuck Workman) Featuring interviews with the likes of Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Robert Bresson and David Lynch, What is Cinema? is documentarian Chuck Workman’s engrossing visual essay about mastery of cinematic form. Our world premiere will be followed by a live conversation with Workman.
MIDNIGHT MADNESS R100 (Dir. Hitoshi Matsumoto) A mild-mannered family man with a secret taste for S&M finds himself pursued by a gang of ruthless dominatrixes — each with a very special talent — in this hilarious and bizarre take on the sex comedy from Japanese comedy giant Hitoshi Matsumoto (Big Man Japan, Symbol).
The Greeen Inferno (Dir. Eli Roth) Horror maestro Eli Roth (Hostel) returns to the director’s chair for this gruesome homage to the notorious Italian cannibal movies of the late seventies and early eighties.
Why Don’t You Play In Hell? (Dir. Sion Sono) A renegade film crew becomes embroiled with a yakuza clan feud in this wild, perverse and blood-soaked orgy of outrageousness from cult director Sion Sono (Suicide Club).
Witching & Bitching (Dir. Álex de la Iglesia) Fleeing through the impenetrable forests of the Basque countryside after a jewel heist, a hapless band of robbers runs afoul of a coven of witches, in this madcap supernatural spectacle from Spanish genre specialist Álex de la Iglesia (The Last Circus).
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Blind Detective (Dir. Johnnie To) Master director Johnnie To’s latest collaboration with superstars Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau is a deliciously madcap riff on the “buddy cop” genre, as a retired sleuth with an uncanny ability teams with a quick-witted inspector to fight Hong Kong’s criminal underworld, one costume at a time.
CANNIBAL (Dir. Manuel Martín Cuenca) In the sleepy Spanish town of Granada, a mild-mannered tailor and secret cannibal unexpectedly finds himself falling in love with his latest prospective victim, in director Manuel Martín Cuenca’s disturbing yet intoxicating tale of bizarre romance.
REAL (Dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) Master filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cure, Tokyo Sonata) returns with this story of a man who uses an advanced neurological technology to enter the frightening mindscape of his comatose lover.
TIFF DOCS The Mayor (Dirs. Emiliano Altuna Fistolera, Carlos Federico Rossini, Diego Osorno) This engrossing documentary introduces us to Mexican millionaire mayor Mauricio Fernandez, a larger-than-life and frequently controversial politician who lords over Latin America’s wealthiest municipality from his eccentrically decorated palace — and has a predilection for taking justice into his own hands.
Tim’s Vermeer (Dir. Teller) Renowned illusionists and professional debunkers Penn & Teller unite for this documentary investigation into the mysterious methods of Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer, whose photo-realistic paintings predated the invention of the camera by 150 years.
Jodorowsky’s Dune (Dir. Frank Pavich) This fascinating documentary explores the genesis of one of cinema’s greatest epics that never was: cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s (El Topo) adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic Dune, whose cast would have included such icons as Salvador Dalí, Orson Welles and Mick Jagger.
When Jews Were Funny (Dir. Alan Zweig) Insightful and often hilarious, the latest from documentary filmmaker Alan Zweig surveys the history of Jewish comedy, from the early days of Borsht belt to the present, ultimately exploring not just ethnicity in the entertainment industry, but also the entire unruly question of what it means to be Jewish.
VANGUARD PROXY (Dir. Zack Parker) Seeking consolation in a support group after a vicious attack, a young woman gradually comes to realize that nothing in her life is as it appears, in this shocking and challenging thriller from director Zack Parker (Scalene).
The Fake (Dir. Yeon Sangho) The sophomore feature from provocative South Korean animator Yeon Sangho (The King of Pigs) is a blistering critique of organized religion, set in a rural village where a manipulative church minister schemes to defraud his flock.
The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears (Dirs. Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani) The latest from Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani (Amer) is a sensual, blood-soaked homage to the 1970s giallo aesthetic that will keep you guessing.
WAVELENGTHS A Field in England (Dir. Ben Wheatley) A single muddy West Country field provides the setting for this brilliantly bizarre English Civil War drama and psychedelic horror film from genre-fusing cult director Ben Wheatley (Kill List, Sightseers), which features a group of deserters, a necromancer, psychoactive plants and buried treasure.
There you have it.. my Wish List for TIFF13! Some of the films in this list will not appeal to some but I do hope there is enough of a variety for you to venture out of your comfort zone. Before I close, I have to give a big shout out to the good people behind tiffr.com for helping me sort out my notes in order to come up with this list.
For full descriptions of all TIFF films, go to tiff.net. Under Festival, you will also find information on single-ticket purchasing date, prices, venues, and more. Happy TIFF’g!!
Love does not move us to laughter at the deepest point in its journey, the pinnacle of its flight: at its deepest and highest, it wrenches from us cries and moans, expressions of pain, however jubilant, which when you think about it is not strange at all because birth is a painful joy.
A little death is what the French call the climax of the embrace, which joins us as it breaks us apart and finds us as it loses us, is our beginning as it is our end. A little death they call it, but it must be great, tremendous, to give birth to us as it kills us.
No nos da risa el amor cuando llega a lo más hondo de su viaje, a lo más alto de su vuelo: en lo más hondo, en lo más alto, nos arranca gemidos y quejidos, voces de dolor, aunque sea jubiloso dolor, lo que pensándolo bien nada tiene de raro, porque nacer es una alegría que duele.
Pequeña muerte, llaman en Francia a la culminación del abrazo, que rompiéndonos nos junta y perdiéndonos nos encuentra y acabándonos nos empieza. Pequeña muerte, la llaman; pero grande, muy grande ha de ser, si matándonos nos nace.
Eduardo Galeano is a Uruguayan journalist, writer and novelist. His best known works are Memoria del fuego (Memory of Fire Trilogy, 1986) and Las venas abiertas de América Latina (Open Veins of Latin America, 1971) which have been translated into 20 languages and transcend orthodox genres: combining fiction, journalism, political analysis, and history. (Source: Wikipedia).
The piece begins at Trinity Bellwoods Park. We are assigned a partner (or a bring a buddy, I’d suggest), with whom we’ll share this particular journey. We are provided with a handy notebook/manual, which we’ll be using throughout the performance. As a group, we explore the park and taking in the surroundings while following directions provided via headphones.
Walking through the park, we’re asked to think of a song, a joke, a story, and to list seven items we’ve lost… said ‘items’ could be objects, people, places, anything really. After a few minutes in the park, our ‘field guides’ walk us towards a loft or studio, where we were greeted with live music.
Members of bluemouth inc. Photo by Heidy M.
Once inside, we join in a game of poker with a ‘bluemouth twist.’ And let me just tell you, it’s not your usual game of poker. When most people think about poker, they automatically think about playing it in a casino in Las Vegas, or through somewhere like this 918 kiss apk download link 2021 whilst attempting to win as much money as possible. They keep going because they want to win more and more and in some cases there is a chance that you become a millionaire if you play your hand well and have some luck. The last thing that you’d expect it to be is this. If someone wants to play their own round of poker then that is up to them, but here it is a little different which I will go into, however, if poker is calling your name, you may want to look into websites such as Infolific for more information so you are prepared.
The idea behind this particular card game with a twist is for us to share our losses, songs, stories, and jokes. Each of us takes turns to play; every detail is thought out. Every detail has a meaning, in my opinion. As we all place our ‘bets’, each chip signifies one of our losses, which we name aloud and share with the rest of the players. Some losses are funny; others are sad; an others are surprising. The point is that no matter who we are, where we’ve come from, we’ve all experienced losses of some kind. Now it’s common knowledge that actual poker games are very popular, as you can see here most Japanese are a fan of poker and it doesn’t stop there, however, this specific game of poker would be much less known around the world. As each game ends, the ‘losers’ have to draw a card. This card determines whether we have to share a story, a joke, or a song. Again, these vary in range from funny, to real-life struggles, and the like.
Sharing a story… Photo by Heidy M.
We also join in some kind of funeral or something of the like… This adds to another dimension to this immersive experience. We hear a couple of people (part of the company) speak about someone who has died. We hear someone speak about her mother, and we also hear someone else speak about his father. If you’ve ever been to a funeral or memorial service, then this type of experience resonates. There are also moments of dance. Members of the company elaborate on the themes of life and loss through their modern dance choreography. In such an intimate setting, this gives us a chance to ponder more… perhaps making us consider how we move through life and deal with loss. Each of us has our own internal experience, of course.
Sharing a joke, or was it a story? Photo by Heidy M.
Interestingly enough, during gatherings like funerals or memorial services, I find most of us share a few stories, some jokes, a drink, and certainly speak of losses, in general. Thus, Field Guide is an interesting piece to be a part of. From my perspective, I think it allows us to join in with others and share in the moment, process loss, and also allow ourselves to enjoy life. “Live a little”, as the saying goes. As of last night, the performances at SummerWorks have sold out. This should be an indication of the type of interest there is in immersive art pieces. For those of you who join Field Guide, I wish you a good journey!
In the past week, I’ve had the chance to preview two SummerWorks Live Art Series. I thought I’d relay my thoughts on my experiences, as both performances interestingly made me come out of my shell.
Photo Courtesy of SummerWorks
I first joined in for Hello for Dummies, which comes to the festival from the UK. For this performance, the audience meets at Alexandria Park, and is split into two groups. (If you show up with a buddy, no worries, you will not be together.) Each person is paired up with a ‘stranger’ and asked to sit at a bench. The two ‘strangers’ are NOT to look at each other’s faces and their conversation topics and lines are fed via headphones. Basically, you have to be willing to be fully engaged in the conversation.
At first, I was unsure how I’d do in this performance given that I didn’t know the person I’d be paired up with. But since we were not alone in this, I figured I’d just go along with the instructions and see how I do. What I sort of enjoyed about this piece is that I technically did not have to think of what to say to this ‘stranger’ sitting beside me. It also makes one very aware what the lack of eye contact or being able to look at someone’s face does for a conversation. Nonetheless, my partner and I managed fairly well.
It also challenges you to see how comfortable, or not, you are in interacting with a stranger, while at the same time being ‘told’ what to say. How much are you willing to follow the dialogue? Are you acting, or are you also trying to be ‘yourself’ while conversing with this ‘stranger’? These thoughts and questions come to mind, and I think this made it more interesting for me. I also think it’s an interesting social experiment; especially, for those who live in a city as large as Toronto, and who often do not get a chance to engage in conversation with people we hardly know. I’d suggest you give this a try… It will definitely leave you with plenty to discuss afterwards as well.
Photo Courtesy of SummerWorks
My second adventure took me to Midway Along The Journey Of Our Life, where I was the sole audience participant. This solo experience takes you into the back alleys of a very familiar place in Toronto. One thing to mention first about this performance is that it requires that you be blindfolded for a minute or so. As well, it is important that you be willing to fully engage in the story and instructions that are, again, told to you via headphones. If you are willing, all you have to do is listen, see, pay full attention, and trust yourself.
Since I don’t mind doing certain things on my own, I figured this would make for an interesting experience as well. And to be honest, I was unsure how well I would do, given I had to follow a few “mysterious characters”. I’ll also say that there is a fair amount of eye contact, some talking, and mostly following instructions while you are also in character, of course. It is also curious how one reacts while ‘performing in public’ (so to speak). The piece does make you question what a ‘journey’ is, what your personal journey may be, what do you need to take with you for said journey…
I’m not one to be on-stage much, but I did find myself wanting to see if I could finish this ‘journey’ with the characters leading me along the way. Throughout my participation, I also wondered if I’d want to give up. Passers-by tried to ask me questions as I was in character, but then realised I was part of the performance as well. Although not for everyone, I’d have to say that I liked being a full participant in this performance. If you’re willing to let go of any preconceived notions of doing something on your own, then I also suggest you go on this short adventure.
Both Hello for Dummies and Midway Along The Journey… run through the entire festival, until August 18. For time and locations, visit summerworks.ca. Happy travels!
Continuing with my picks for this year’s SummerWorksFestival, I give you my choices for the Performance and Music Series.
Performance Bar
Saturday, August 10 — Tony Ho Summary: “Tony Ho (Roger Bainbridge, Adam Niebergall and Miguel Rivas) believe being unsettled isn’t a bad thing. This darkly hilarious Toronto group has been called the haunted house of sketch with good reason. Equally funny and disturbing, Tony Ho is entirely unexpected and absolutely unforgettable.”
Sunday, August 11 — Alvis Parsley Summary: “IDEAS. THOUGHTS. DREAMS. BUBBLES. INTERSECTIONALITY. IDENTITY. GENDERQUEER. NON-ATTACHMENT. POLY. KINKY. LOVE. I’m proudly weird and often politically incorrect. This monologue is about my bleeding gums, helmet, basement room, and Pizza Pizza on the road. Or something along those lines.”
Saturday, August 17 — Petra Glynt Summary: Petra Glynt a.k.a. Alexandra Mackenzie is knowns as a ‘Psychedelic DIY Artist/Musician’. I’m curious to see what she’ll be presenting at this year’s festival.
Music Series & Musical Works In Concert
Monday, August 12 —Miss Shakespeare Summary: “The 1600s: women are banned from the stage, but the suppressed female mind is finding it difficult to stay… well, suppressed. Behind the dingy walls of The Cage Tavern, six women explore the seductive power of the theatre, finding their creativity, their voice, and their freedom.
Daddy’s had his turn – the mad mind of Judith Shakespeare explodes in this saucy new musical.”
Friday, August 16 —The Wooden Sky Travelling Summary: “The Wooden Sky have joined forces with Theatre veterans Jennifer Brewin and Michael Rubenfeld to take a new look at the conventional concert. Playing on themes of traveling carnivals and inspired by their own ‘Bedrooms and Backstreets’ tour this Traveling Adventure Show will cast the neighbourhood surrounding the Lower Ossington Theatre as it’s stage and offer a uniquely intimate experience with The Wooden Sky’s music.”
Saturday, August 17 —Maylee Todd’s Musical Planetarium Summary: “Maylee Todd transforms the Great Hall into her own personal summer dreamscape. An intimate, synthesized version of her hit LP Escapology like you have never heard it before, the Planetarium is guided by director Steven McCarthy and features a kaleidoscope of visuals and live projection design made live by award-winning filmmaker Tess Girard.
So bring a pillow and get cozy, close and cuddle with a old or new friend because this show is on the ceiling.”
Of course, this is but a sample of the various artists participating this year. For full listings and scheduling information, make sure you visit summerworks.ca.
The largest juried performance festival in Canada featuring predominantly new Canadian work, SummerWorks returns this summer with a wide spectrum and variety of theatre works, live art, music, and performance series.
Like in previous years, I’ve decided to put together a pre-festival list for you to consider when creating your festival schedule.
Theatre & Live Art
Alzheimer That Ends Heimer Synopsis: “…a musical about the lighter side of dementia; a cross between a Power Point presentation and “Marat-Sade”; and a love story involving a father, a son, and two hot twenty-somethings who keep losing track of who they are.”
Entitlement Synopsis: “A ssatire about an out of work screenwriter who takes a job teaching scriptwriting to college students. A timely play about the transformation of education to edutainment and the growing power of an entitled generation to assert their will…”
Final Savage Land Synopsis: “Inspired by Arvo Pärt’s piano composition, Für Alina, and part Grimm’s fairytale, Final Savage Land is a choreographed duet that delves into the the beauty and horrors of co-dependency and the savagery of survival.”
Hello For Dummies (Live Art Series) Synopsis: “The audience is split up into pairs of strangers and sent out to sit on a bench together. This journey, and the conversation they find themselves having on the bench (their lines fed to them via headphones), all happens without them ever seeing each other’s face.”
*I attended a preview of this live art performance, and enjoyed the premise of it. There were some technical glitches but once you get past these, it is an interesting experience. Even if you’re shy, I’d suggest you try out.
How Can I Forget? (2013 Artists-in-Residence) Synopsis: The show “explores the tension between remembering and forgetting: what we forget that we ought to remember, and what we remember that we want to forget. It is a study of memory through fraught relationships.”
Maria Gets A New Life Synopsis: “Maria Grace the First Nation’s single mom is also a wanted fugitive. After three months on the road, Maria moves her two kids into a vacant house. As the authorities close in, Maria is faced with her last hour with her children.”
*From the creators of huff, a one-man show from last year’s festival. This show was very poignant and powerful.
nanny: maroon warrior queen Synopsis: “biomyth monodrama in dub that recounts the life of jamaica’s first and only national shero, queen nanny of the maroons. the play follows nanny’s life as the great spiritual, military, political, and maternal head figure of the maroons and gives an in depth treatment of the system of the transatlantic slave trade that existed in jamaica.”
*This work is by d’bi young, whose work I’ve been following as well from previous Summerworks. I’m keen on seeing and hearing her share this story with us.
Schützen (International Series – Denmark/Germany) Synopsis: “combines relaxation yoga, release techniques and tai chi with shooting shows at the Berlin Schützengemeinschaft von 1882 and a training program for drone pilots at the US Nevada Control Station. Schützen challenges the notion of healthy and unhealthy interests, good and evil bodies and includes the audience in a study of present-day war bodies.”
The Ballad Of Weedy Peetstraw Synopsis:”A backwoods boy, dreaming of life and fame in the big city, makes a pact with the Devil (and his agents Mister Fleas and Hellhound) in exchange for supernatural prowess on the banjo in this comic bluegrass opera featuring death, love, betrayal, redemption, soul-stirring music and a hardscrabble kind of poetry.”
Hopefully, these will help you narrow down your choices. However, be sure to check out as many other performances as possible. Stay tuned as I’ll have have Part II of my pre-festival picks from the Music and Performance Bar Series. The full festival listing, schedule and ticketing info can be found at summerworks.ca.
