The seventh annual CMW Film Fest returns to Toronto and will be holiding its screenings from May 8th to 10th at Toronto’s The Royal Cinema. Presented by Tribute Entertainment Media Group, this year’s festival once again will showcase an eclectic mix of movie premieres and special screenings. If you wish you could attend these festivals but are unable to, you can make your very own film festival from the comfort of your home over this period, for example, using web pages such as https://avoidcensorship.org/ to find the best pirate proxy to get the films you want, will set you off, then you can decorate your living room like a film festival. Just because you are not there doesn’t mean you can’t pretend.
Some of the films this year pay homage to musical legends and their long-lasting influence on music and culture. Other films feature stories related to music from various points of view. I have picked 5 films that I think will appeal to a wide audience in terms of music, and subject matter.
MAY 8th, 6:30PM
FINDING FELA!
Director: Alex Gibney
This film tells the story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti‘s life, his music, his social and political importance. He created a new musical movement, Afrobeat, using that forum to express his revolutionary political opinions against the dictatorial Nigerian government of the1970s and 1980s. His influence helped bring a change towards democracy in Nigeria and promoted Pan Africanist politics to the world. The power and potency of Fela’s message is completely current today and is expressed in the political movements of oppressed people, embracing Fela’s music and message in their struggle for freedom.
My thoughts: Anyone who has heard of Fela Kuti, his music, and his importance not only in Nigeria but worldwide would be interested in seeing this film. It features some interesting interviews with family members and friends. It also a companion piece to the musical Fela! If you missed the musical when it was in town last year, this film may be a good introduction to the man and his music.
MAY 9th, 7:00PM
BREADCRUMB TRAIL – A SLINT DOCUMENTARY
Director: Lance Bangs
Throughout the 1980s, a group of friends in Louisville, Kentucky grew up forming bands, breaking up, and reforming in different configurations. They were playing hardcore shows at ages 10-12, touring with Samhain as 14 year olds, recording for Homestead as Squirelbait at age 15, then formed Slint in their late teens and recorded the classic album Spiderland before they were 21. They broke up before the album’s release, giving no interviews and vanishing into their own shadows.
My thoughts: After two decades, filmmaker Lance Bangs has gathered some never-before-seen footage of the young band members. For fans of the Slint, this will perhaps shed some light on what it was like for the bend up until their reunion in 2005.
MAY 10th, 1:00PM
WE ARE THE BEST!
Director: Lukas Moodyson
Stockholm 1982. We Are the Best is a film about Bobo, Klara and Hedvig. Three 13-year old girls who roam the streets. Who are brave and tough and strong and weak and confused and weird. Who have to take care of themselves way too early. Who heat fish fingers in the toaster when mom is at the pub. Who start a punk band without any instruments, even though everybody says that punk is dead.
My thoughts: The trailer to the film is what made me add it to my list. We all remember the awkwardness that is being a 13-year-old. In this film, these teens are eagerly trying to be ‘the best’ band. This film looks like it will be a whole load of fun, and that is not a bad thing.
MAY 10th, 4:30PM
SWIM LITTLE FISH SWIM
Writers/Directors: Lola Bessis & Ruben Amar
Set in New York, the film focuses on the domestic life of Leeward (Dustin Guy Defa) and Mary (Brooke Bloom), a young married couple at a crossroads. Mary is a hardworking nurse determined to turn the couple’s lives around while Leeward is a struggling marginal musician who fancies himself a misunderstood artist and New Age visionary. In the midst of this, Lilas (Lola Bessis), a 19 year-old French artist trying to make it in New York and escape the shadow of her famous painter mother, moves into the couple’s tiny Chinatown apartment, their already fragile balance is upset even further.
My thoughts: The film has screened at the other festivals already; it has received some mixed reviews. But the music and this awkward-sounding story make it interesting to me. I also like the look of the trailer, so I’m curious about the cinematography in the film.
MAY 10th, 9:30PM
FRANK
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
An offbeat comedy about a young wannabe musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head, and his terrifying bandmate Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal). The film is a fictional story loosely inspired by Frank Sidebottom, the persona of cult musician and comedy legend Chris Sievey, as well as other outsider musicians like Daniel Johnston and Captain Beefheart.
My thoughts: This film appeals to me not because of its casting, but because of its story. Using dark and absurd humour to tell Frank’s story makes this a uniquely interesting film. Tie that to the musical side of things, and the mix makes it a not-to-miss film. This film has garnered some very positive reviews, and also accolades for Fassbender in the leading role. I think it’s a win.
From the looks of my picks, I will be spending a fair bit of time at The Royal on Sunday. It will be a great way to relax after checking out several musical acts throughout the festival. For some of my music picks, I suggest checking out this list.
Tickets for CMW Film Fest are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Wristband and pass holders receive free admisstion. All films screen at The Royal Cinema. For full film listings and ticketing info, visit cmw.net/film.
