November marches on with lots of theatre action now on-stage at a venue near you. Here are a few shows that have piqued my interest, and perhaps it will get you curious as well.
The first and largest mental health film festival in the world, Rendezvous with Madness (RWM), presented by Workman Arts (WA), returns to the TIFF Bell Lightbox from November 10 – 15 for its 22nd edition. The six-day festival will showcase over 20 programs of feature and short films.
For those of you who have yet to attend RWM, here are some key screenings that I think you do not want to miss.
On November 10th, the festival opens with Rocks in My Pockets by Latvian American filmmaker Signe Baumane, is an animated feature that looks at family genetics and their role in mental health.
Please note that the opening night screenings has sold out with only rush tickets available. However, Rock in My Pockets will screen again on November 15th with tickets still available.
On Tuesday, November 11th, the film Gabriel explores early episode psychosis with a dramatic film starring Rory Culkin. The discussion to follow will provide a close-up account of psychosis and its impact on the family. Clinicians who work with families will be sure to want to tell them about this program.
On Thursday, November 13th the Belgian documentary Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) looks at the topic of suicide from a tragicomedy perspective. Is there room for humour when dealing with a serious subject matter? Stay for the post-film discussion to find out.
Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) was a favourite of mine from this years Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival. In my opinion, there is room for humour when dealing with a serious matter, such as alcohol dependence. There is also room for friendship, as we see depicted rather bittersweetly in this film. This film has left a long-lasting impression on me.
On Friday, November 14th, No No: A Dockumentary. This is a film about Dock Ellis, reportedly the only pitcher to have hit a no-hitter while high on LSD. This documentary also highlights Ellis’ contributions to the civil rights of black athletes, recovering from amphetamine addiction, and eventually becoming an addictions counsellor. This could be particularly helpful and encouraging to anyone who currently finds themselves struggling with methamphetamine. If it persuades just one person to look for a drug test, from places like Countrywide Testing, (https://www.countrywidetesting.com/collections/methamphetamine-met-drug-tests) to start their road to recovery, then it would have done its job in making more people realize that their life can be turned around if they get the relevant help. So, make sure you go and view it whilst you have the chance. It could truly make a difference.
RWM closes on Saturday, November 15th with Stray Dog. The film is a portrayal of a Viet Nam War vet who is still dealing with that part of his past, while adjusting to life including being married, being a biker, and a vet.
I have yet to see many of these films, but this does not lessen the fact I think they are worth checking out. As well, I encourage you to stay for the Q&A following each RWM screening, as mental health professionals, filmmakers, and others usually engage in a lively discussion.
All film screenings will take place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. For a full schedule, box office and tickets information, please visit rendezvouswithmadness.com/2014-schedule.
With more than 200 events taking place on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor in November, there is no need to look far to find your arts and culture fix. Located within an easily-walkable area between Bathurst and Bay Streets, the 13 arts and culture destinations of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor offer a vast range of exhibitions, films, concerts, culture talks, and special events that will appeal to various different tastes.
Visual Arts
From November 5, the Japan Foundation presents the opening of Threshold, an exhibition featuring the artwork of Ryoji Ikeda and Walter Jule, two pioneers in the field of printmaking and photography. A glance at these artists’ chronologies reveals their mutual integration of innovative printmaking processes in conjunction with traditional Japanese techniques. Both Ikeda and Jule draw inspiration from Eastern philosophy, enacting the themes of time, light and various states of being. The exhibition will be on view until January 29, 2015.
Five exhibitions are also on display at the Bata Shoe Museum in November, including Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century; Collected in the Field: Shoemaking Traditions From Around the World; Beauty, Identity, Pride: Native North American Footwear; and All About Shoes with Footprints on the World Stage, a special feature exhibition of extraordinary footwear worn in moments of triumph on the world’s stage, worn by icons like Pierre Trudeau, Madonna, Roger Federer, Napoleon and Marilyn Monroe.
This month, the Gardiner Museum presents 12 Trees of Christmas: The Toronto Edition, a display of dazzling designer trees themed around local neighbourhoods, including Leslieville, Chinatown and many others. On view November 12 to December 14. With more than 2,000 ceramic figurines, Piece by Piece, now on view at the Gardiner Museum, brings the 18th century to life through a multitude of haunting narratives evoking war and peace, love and hate, death and destruction, and victory and defeat. Running until January 4, 2015, the exhibition marks British artist Clare Twomey’s Canadian debut.
On display until November 16, The Entire City Project at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) showcases, through the photography of Toronto-based artist Michael Awad, every corner, and every space of the Museum in a way never seen before. In addition to The Entire City Project, there are more than a dozen other exhibitions at the Royal Ontario Museum, including Genizot: Repositories of Memory, an installation that explores the many ways in which memory works and where it is placed; Fashion Follows Form: Designs for Sitting; 100 years of Collecting; Around 1914: Design in a New Age; an internationally renowned photography competition, and more.
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| Michael-Awad, TTC Subway, 2012 |
Film
As Seen through These Eyes screens at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre on November 9 at 4pm and 7:30pm. The powerful documentary, co-presented with Holocaust Education Week, is about a group of extraordinary people who fought the Nazis with the only weapons they had: charcoal, pencil stubs, shreds of paper and memories etched in their minds. As Seen through These Eyes filmmaker, Hilary Helstein will be in attendance.
The Hot Docs 2014 award-winning documentary Keep On Keepin’ On, featuring legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry and the blind piano prodigy he mentors, opens on November 14 at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. A visually-stunning film about art and culture, Hermitage Revealed opens on November 21 and profiles The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. In addition, the Music on Film series continues at the cinema on November 25 with a screening of Vladimir Horowitz: The Last Romantic, presented with The Royal Conservatory of Music.
The 1935 version of David Copperfield, based off of the Charles Dickens novel, screens on November 20 at the Bata Shoe Museum. Chronicling a young man on his journey from impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist, David Copperfield is presented as part of the Bata Shoe Museum’s Nineteen Century Literature in Classic Films series.
In November, Alliance Française de Toronto screens an array of both documentary and fiction films, including Toronto by its Insiders, an examination of local film directors and how Toronto inspires their creations; Comment j’ai détesté les maths, a testament to how mathematics has changed our world, for the better or sometimes for the worst; The Spanish Apartment, a chronicle of the adventures of a strait-laced French student who moves to Barcelona, and more.
Music
The Toronto Consort‘s season opening concert Paris Confidential takes place on November 7 and 8. The evening pays tribute to the flourishing of music, dance, literature and the visual arts in France during the 16th century. Jane Couchman, Professor emerita of French and Women’s Studies at York University’s Glendon College, will provide a free lecture prior to the performances.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir hosts a Sing-Along Messiah Workshop at 1pm on November 8, and presents Theatre of Magic: Music of the English Baroque, led by violinist Pavlo Beznosiukof the Academy of Ancient Music, November 19 – 23, at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. Featuring selections from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, Locke’s The Tempest, and arias for the sorceress Armida from Handel’s Rinaldo, the evening will enchant listeners.
The University of Toronto Faculty of Music presents two concerts in Walter Hall this November. On Monday, November 10, at 7pm, Cecilia String Quartet and Lydia Wong perform pieces by Beethoven, Webern, and Shostakovich. Two weeks later, on Monday, November 24, at 7 pm, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music presents an evening of innovative artistic collaborations with Shauna Rolston and Friends. The program features music by Chan Ka Nin and Heather Schmidt with choreography by Peggy Baker.
As well, The Royal Conservatory of Music presents 19 different concerts that offer a wide array of music by international stars of classical, jazz, pop, soul, and world music. Classical performances taking place feature pianist Jeremy Denk on November 9; Lu Jia conducting the China NCPA Orchestra and Wiaoyu Liu on November 11; pianist Richard Goode on November 16; and Zukerman Chamber Players on November 30.
There will also be two jazz performances, Idan Raichel & Vieux Farka Touré: The Touré-Raichel Collective on November 21 and the Count Basie Orchestra with Musical DirectorScotty Barnhart on November 22. Angélique Kidjo and special guest H’Sao will dazzle the crowd with their Afro-funk fusion on November 8. And Diego El Cigala will transport listeners to Argentina with his powerful flamenco music on November 15. All of these concerts take place at Koerner Hall this month.
Alliance Française de Toronto has six musical performances throughout the month. A mixture of jazz, opera, classical and world music artists will grace the Alliance Française de Toronto’s new stage, including Albin de la Simone on November 8, Gerineldo on November 25, and many more.
Culture Talks/Lectures
The ROM presents many fascinating lectures in November, including Love and Treasure with Ayelet Waldman, Power Textiles from Islamic Lands; The Importance of Insect Conservation, a talk by Georges Brossard, Host of The Bug Man on the Discovery Channel, and more.
The final two installments of the Gardiner Museum’s 30th Anniversary Lecture Series takes place in November. The first, The World of Style: Ancient Maya Ceramics and Power features guest speaker Dr. Dorie Reents-Budet, Curator of Art of the Ancient Americas at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and occurs on November 12.
The Importance of Being Kakiemon: The Origin and International Impact of Japanese Kakiemon Style Porcelain, delivered by Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere, Curator of the Japanese Collections in the Department of Asia at the British Museum, finishes off the series on November 26.
The Istituto Italiano di Cultura presents, on November 19, Michelangelo: His Poetry and His World, a talk by Sarah Rolfe Prodan. Through an examination of Michelangelo’s poetic activity – his verses, the pages on which they were composed, and their fortune – the talk will shed light on the artist, his work and his world.
The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre continues its series Kevin Courrier Spins the Beatles throughout the month. Each lecture will examine how the Beatles’ music created both dreams and nightmares in their pursuit of an artificial paradise, ‘Nowhere Land’, built on the principles of pleasure and fulfillment. The lectures take place every Monday night, 7pm, until December 8.
Special Events
Every Wednesday night in November, starting at 6pm, the Native Centre of Toronto hosts a free Regalia Making Class. The evenings bring together people of all ages and provide everyone with the skills to make and sew their own traditional powwow garment.
The Bata Shoe Museum presents a 19th Century Pastimes with a 21st Century Twist – Embroidery Workshop, 1pm – 4pm, on November 9. Lead by embroiders from Toronto’s The Make Den, the class will learn the basics of this intricate craft. The workshop is inspired by the Bata Shoe Museum’s current exhibition Fashion Victims.
The ROM continues its extremely popular Friday Night Live events throughout November. With eclectic eats, drinks, DJs, dancing, live music and unexpected gallery experiences, the evenings are non-stop fun! The themes November’s Friday Night Live are Dinos, Dodos, and Discos (November 7); Heroes (November 14); Get Wild! (November 21); and Celestial Blast (November 28).
Having lived in this part of the city, I can assure you there is always something to see, hear, and experience around the Corridor. Personally, I recommend Diego El Cigala for live music that will take you far away. As well, take advantage of the FREE lectures and Pay-What-You-Can admission Thursdays from 5-8pm at the Bata Shoe Museum.
With this vast list of events, there is no reason to stay indoors this month. More information about the Bloor St. Culture Corridor and upcoming events can be found at bloorstculturecorridor.com.
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) will celebrate its 18th year from November 6th to 16th, with high-profile guests from around the world, new venues and three special projects focused on themes of memory and archive. This year, Reel Asian will present 44 films from 10 regions including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Canada and the United States.
With an extensive line-up, I have compiled my picks of films and other events worth checking out.
Fri Nov 7, 7:00 PM, The Royal
AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS
Directors Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco
Based on the immensely popular YouTube series, this film features the Asian “bad guys” of our favourite childhood action movies in an action comedy that pays homage to the actors who played iconic yet nameless Asian villains on the silver screen.
This is a very funny yet a hearfelt homage to many of the Asian actos who portrayed the “thugs” or “nameless bad guys” in many films some of us have grown up with. Do you remember the “thug” in Schwarzenegger’s Last Action Hero? That was, Al Leong! He is one of other familiar faces who join directors Epino and Dypiangco to avenge the death of Tamlyn Tomita’s twin sister in this hilarious film. Take it from me, this is going to be one badass night out.
Fri Nov 7, 10:45pm, The Royal
HUNTER x HUNTER: THE LAST MISSION
Director Keiichiro Kawaguchi
A film adaptation of the best-selling manga series, the film introduces surprising character twists as Hunters Gon and Killua battle against rogue Hunters who dabbled with the dark power “On.”
Personally, I am not familiar with this manga series. However, I make it a point to check out the animated fims Reel Asian brings year after year. The word on the street is that serious fans of the manga and its TV series are lukewarm to this film. I suggest you judge for yourself.
Sat Nov 8, 4:00pm, The Royal
DON’T THINK I’VE FORGOTTEN: CAMBODIA’S LOST ROCK AND ROLL
Director John Pirozzi
Combining interviews of Cambodian musicians with rare archival material and songs, this documentary tracks the twists and turns of Cambodian music as it morphs into rock and roll, blossoms, and is nearly destroyed along with the rest of the country.
Music and historical documentaries always make for an interesting viewing. Through stories from Cambodian musical stars from the 50s, 60s and 70s, lyrics, and songs, mixed with archival footage, we learn more about the country’s history. Definitely a bittersweet story about the country’s musical identity and about how it almost destroyed itself entirely. Worth attending for any history and music film buff.
Fri Nov 14, 7:00pm, The Royal
Closing Night Gala: MONSOON SHOOTOUT
Director Amit Kumar
Featured in the Cannes Midnight Program, this is an innovative and gritty cop drama with choose-your-own-adventure style twists that keep you guessing.
For those of us who truly like crime dramas, this should be a good way to close out your time at Reel Asian. The film garnered positive reviews after its Cannes debut. It is more than a cop-gangster film. It has an interesting plot, as well as incorporating some nice looking cinematography. Be sure to make time for this.
Industry and Art Series
Sun, Nov 9, 10:00am, George Ignatieff Theatre
Live Finale: So You Think You Can Pitch? Competition
Free Admission. Open to the Public.
A collaboration between Reel Asian and Charles Street Video, this competition features prizes worth a combined value of more than $35,000. Teams of filmmakers will have six minutes each to pitch their projects to vie for $2,000 in cash from National Bank and $10,000 (emerging category) and $18,000 (professional category) worth of equipment and production services from Charles Street Video.
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| So You Think You can Pitch? 2013 – Source: ReelAsian |
Tuesday November 11, 6:45pm, AGO Jackman Hall
Memories to Light Toronto
This is an initiative of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), where home movies from the Asian American experience are preserved and shared with the public. This one-time only presentation which features live narration by CAAM Executive Director Stephen Gong and musical accompaniment by Toronto artist Casey Mecija
These are but a few carefully chosen fims and events taking place during Reel Asian’s Toronto portion of the festival. It runs from November 6th to 16th with screenings at the Royal Cinema. For full festival line up, box office, venue listings, and information on the Richmond Hill portion of the festival, go to reelasian.com.
Director Jean-Nicolas Orhon‘s documentary Slums: Cities Of Tomorrow opens in Toronto this Friday, November 7th at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. The film had its World Premiere at Hot Docs Festival last May, and returns for this theatrical release after a very successful festival run and a five-week theatrical run in Montreal.
Slums: Cities Of Tomorrow takes us on a sociological and philosophical tour of various slums and similar structures throughout the world. Orhon’s lens focuses on places in India, Morroco, France, USA, and Canada, which have been built out of necessity, choice, and serve as home and a source of income for some of their inhabitants.
The film begins in Lakewood, New Jersey where people have decided to live some by choice, others not so much, in a tent city. They have limited resources and no jobs. Here, they have built a small community for themselves. Orhon also takes us to one of the biggests slums in Asia; found in Mumbai, India. Here, people have built their homes after moving to the city from rural towns due to agriculture becoming more industrialized. There is also a tour of an area in Marseilles, France where people live in ‘caravans’ (trailers), as well as built homes, due to their nomadic lifestyle for many years. This is a cultural norm for them, however, they live without access to electricity and plumbing. There is also a look into an area in Turkey, where people have continued to build their homes to accomodate their growing families. Orhon also brings the focus to a First Nations community (reservation) in Kitcisasik, Quebec, where the homes do not have built-in electricity, plumbing, and are not always able to survive the cold climate.
Throughout the various tours in these regions, Orhon includes conversations with residents and we hear about their experiences living in their respective homes. The majority of interviewees mention how they’ve made the best of their living conditions, and some even say they prefer it in contrast to living in high-rise buildings, which most governments offer as ‘solution’ to these overcrowding conditions, while in fact, this may disrupt the internal economy developed in these communities. It is interesting to hear such stories while at the same time hearing from people like American journalist Robert Neuwirth, who suggests there have always been squatters in major cities. Neuwirth suggests slums are not necessarily a bad idea. There is also Montreal professor Nicolas Reeves, who calls slums a “phenomenon” — a phenomenon that governments, and people alike, need to learn to work with and adapt to.
Personally, it is the words of author and journalist Jeremy Seabrook that resonate with me when watching Slums… Seabrook reminds us that although the majority sees slums and their inhabitants as poor and an inconvenience of sorts, poverty is somewhat relative. People throughout the world feel and think they still ‘need’ more than they have. He suggests the idea of ‘developing’ nations is also not entirely correct, as nations are all constantly trying to change or develop in one way or another. Seabrook suggests that people who live in slums are doing their best to adapt to the changes in the world; just like the rest of us are too.
Slums… is not a film that addresses the issue of overcrowing head on. Perhaps this is not the main point of the film. It does, however, point out interesting facts about how slums are built out of a sociological necessity. It also presents us with thought-provoking ideas of how and why people live in these conditions. There is also the sociological aspect of the film, which points out that maybe slums are just going to be part of cities from now into the future. Perhaps not a solution for some, but one that is very real to many.
Slums: Cities Of Tomorrow also includes some great cinematography. Orhon creates a film that will create plenty to discuss, while at the same time being visually engaging. The film screens at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema from November 7-13. For screening information visit, bloorcinema.com.
The eighth annual Air Canada enRoute Film Festival, an extension of enRoute Magazine, has announced its nominees for this year’s festival. Award categories include Best Short Film, Achievement in Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Animation, and, new this year, Achievement in Documentary.
The 2014 Air Canada enRoute Film Festival Award Nominees are:
Yassmina Karajah for Light
Renaud Lessard for The Wild Kids
Russell Ratt-Brascoupe for The Hearing
Raquel Sancinetti for Cycle
The winner of the Best Short Film Award will receive a cash prize of $5,000 courtesy of Cineplex Entertainment. All winners will receive an all-inclusive trip for two to the Berlin International Film Festival, courtesy of Air Canada. These are excellent prizes for any filmmaker, in my opinion.
A free public screening of the nominated short films will take place on Wednesday, November 5th at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto starting at 7pm. An exclusive awards celebration will take place at 2nd Floor Events immediately after the screening hosted by an ETALK presenter. Jury members expected to attend the awards celebration include NFB executive producer Michael Fukushima, actor Jennifer Podemski and 2013 Air Canada enRoute Film Festival Best Short Film Award Winner Andrew Moir.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award runs until tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31st on enroutefilm.com. The winner will be announced at the Wednesday, Nov. 5th awards celebration. By voting you can win a trip for two to a destination of their choice within North America, courtesy of Air Canada. FYI, you can vote once a day!
For more information on enRoute Film Festival, watch all festival selections and find out more about the festival, visit enroutefilm.com. Be sure to vote… Not only can you help a filmmaker win but you increases your chances to win too!
In 2012, 26 year-old Solomon Uyarasuk died while in RCMP custody in Igloolik, Nunavut. The authorities reported Solomon killed himself using a shoelace while in his cell. Suicide is unfortunately a much too common occurrence in Nunavut; especially amongst the Inuit community. Solomon’s family and friends just could not accept the fact he had killed himself; not in the circumstances described by the authorities.
How does an entire community make sense of such loss? And how can the rest of Canada pay more attention to this very serious issue affecting one of its communities? These are some of the questions raised in the documentary SOL directed by Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Susan Avingaq. The filmmakers have set out to tell Solomon’s story while raising awareness about the high numbers of suicide in this Northern Inuit community.
Deeming this a very important issue, I posed some questions to director Marie-Hélène Cousineau about Solomon, this documentary, and how she and co-director Susan Avingaq gathered a community to talk about their history, losing their loved ones to suicide, and wishing to keep their traditions alive.
HM: My understanding is that you knew Solomon Uyarasuk, the young artist we come to know through your film. Could you please share how telling Solomon’s story has opened up the community of Igloolik to talk about suicide?
Marie-Hélène Cousineau (MHC): Yes I knew him since he was first 6 or 7 years old; a little boy, very cute and gentle. I was afraid people would not want to talk about suicide but as we went filming I realized they were open to share their pain and drama and hope and solutions because they want the situation to change. Young Inuit men have 13 times the suicide rate than other Canadians. It is not acceptable. Now we will bring the film in the communities and we will see how people react and how they talk. It is scary a little bit but …it has to be done, I believe it really. People need to talk because they are holding all this pain in.
HM: How did co-director Susan Avingaq become involved with the film? Her warm presence in the film seems to help in getting community members to talk more candidly, in my opinion.
MHC: She is the one who shared her concerns with me at first. She was very confused by the different stories she heard about Solomon’s death. She felt a lot of compassion for his family, for his biological mother (he was adopted).
HM: In the documentary, we meet other community members, friends and family of Solomon. What were the main themes, in your opinion, when they shared with you and Susan, their very personal stories?
MHC: They wanted to say that suicide was too prevalent, too common, too normalized. That was the most shoking thing for them. It became clear that everyone was touched by suicide, every one knew someone, of someone else [who had killed him/herself]. They also talked a lot about the role of the whole community to solve the problem.
HM: Besides honouring Solomon’s life, the documentary touches upon the topic of suicide in Nunavut and the North of Canada – a topic often neglected by the rest of Canada. I have read the Nunavut coroner will hold an inquest into Solomon’s jail cell death next month. Any thoughts you’d like to share on this development?
MHC: It was too long to have this inquest, too long a wait; there will be tensions, there will be sorrows and a feeling of having been disrespected. At the same time, there might be a feeling of closure; I hope so. But this wait was really, really too long. (more than 2 years). If it was not that complicated a situation , why wait so long? People will be suspicious. The justice system might not seem worth of the family’s trust.
HM: Outside of the festival circuit, and educational screenings, how can more people see this film?
MHC: [People] will be able to see it on SuperChannel in 2015.
This documentary may be about Solomon. But it deals with topics and problems present in Canadian society that many have turned a blind eye on. I encourage you to attend its premiere screening at imagineNATIVE tomorrow, Friday, October 24th – 5:30pm, at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
For my picks of what else to see and check out at imagineNATIVE, click here.
The Toronto theatre scene is one that offers a vast array of types and styles of theatre. Outside the mainstream theatre districs, we, as a captive audience, are practically spoiled in the many choices we have with the many theatre companies whose work grace the stage almost every night.
For this reason, I am giving you 5 reasons to get out of the ordinary and make your way to Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre until Saturday, October 25th.
Reason 1
This is a non-stop, high energy, one man show starring Sébastien Heins as two brothers living the Hip Hop Life. It uses original music and physical theatre to tell this parodied story. Key word: Parody.
We are taken from the 1970s and into the future, as Sébastien mixes Hip Hop and R & B, Rap, Soul, Funk, and Gospel to share a raw yet touching story of family and brotherly love. And be sure that Sébastien’s performance as all characters does not disappoint. Not to mention he has great stage presence.
Reason 2
This afteRock Plays production is more of an “immersive experience”; akin to being at a live hip hop concert. From the pre-show performances to the music playing as you enter the theatre we are already part of the journey, so to speak.
Reason 3
The music. For those of us who grew up listening to hip hop and rap along with some older music genres, the music will literally resonate with you. It may even take you back… way back.
Reason 4
It is an opera. By definition, an opera is “a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists.” This show has all of these. The highs and low of any and every opera can be found in Brotherhood…
Reason 5
It is diverse. It is great to see theatre from companies reflecting the many cultures of our city, as is bcurrent. As audience members, and as theatre aficionados, we need to support companies like this so that we can see more of the stories that reflect our society as a whole on stage.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival begins next week, running October 22-26, showcasing some of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe.
This year’s festival includes: 130 films and videos; nine Radio Works; seven multi-platform New Media works; four art exhibitions featuring 19 media artists; 11 industry panels and public workshops; and 17 commissions. Continuing to expand its line-up, imagineNATIVE will feature 175 artists representing more than 70 distinct Indigenous nations from 12 countries, including a special International Spotlight on the diverse and remarkable work of Indigenous artists from across Australia.
Opening Night
Wednesday, Oct 22nd, 7pm
What We Do In The Shadows
Bloor Cinema
I cannot tell you how much this choice of opening film makes me smile from ear to ear. This vampire ‘documentary’ screened at TIFF’s Midnight Madness in September, which is where I saw it. It also won TIFF’s MM Audience Choice Award. It has been doing the festival circuit since and has garnered some excellent response. No need to tell you what it is about because I sincerely hope you make it out to this one. I laugh every time I think of scenes from the film. As well, co-director Taika Waititi will be in attendance.
Thursday, Oct 23rd, 8pm
Drunktown’s Finest
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4
Set among the landscape of the Navajo Reservation, the film will takes us on a journey of exploration into the lives of three young Navajo people. The film focuses on three protagonists – who represent three genders – which to me, make for a progressive move in terms of filmmaking, in general. Definitely curious about this one.
Friday, Oct 24th, 11am
Coded Territories Book Launch
Ryerson Image Centre
Aside from films, imagineNATIVE has now published its first anthology of essays written by leading Canadian Indigenous new media artists, edited by Steven Loft and Kerry Swanson. Attend to hear about the book and enjoy some light refreshments.
Friday, Oct 24th, 5:30pm
SOL
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4
A documentary about Solomon Uyarasuk, a young Inuk man filled with talent and promise, who was found dead while in RCMP custody in 2012. The police claim suicide but the community suspects murder. I’ll have more about to say about this film and Solomon’s story in the next few days.
Friday, Oct 24th, 11:15pm
FREE Admission
The Witching Hour: Late Night Shorts Programme
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 3
This is for those of you who like late-night films and are looking for a little sci-fi, horror, and more. The line-up looks diverse and interesting.
Saturday, Oct 25th, 2:30pm
Available Light: Shorts Programme
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 3
Short films that sound like a complete sensory experience. There is something to be said about experimental films, and thus, I suggest you check out the line up for this shorts programme.
Saturday, Oct 25th, 4:15pm
FREE and Open to the Public
The Future of Indigenous Social Justice Docs
Panel with Filmmakers incl. Alanis Obomsawin
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Documentary filmmakers, producers and advocates will engage in a discussion about the vital importance of documentary films. They will also talk about how the industry might and should respond to the need for creating opportunities in order to bring these stories to wide audiences.
Saturday, Oct 25th, 4:15pm
The Pa Boys
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 3
Three Maori flatmates decide to form a band and embark on a pub tour “Down North” to Cape Reinga in Aotearoa. Boasting a “hot reggae soundtrack”, I am keen to see where this tour takes us.
Saturday, Oct 25th, 9pm
imagineNATIVE 15th Anniversary Party
Hart House
Celebrating 15 years is no small feat, and why not join in the party? Be part of it and groove to the sounds of Bear Witness of DJ collective A Tribe Called Red. The party will also feature Cris Derksen and Red Pepper Spectacle Arts.
Sunday, Oct 26th, 11am
Sumé -Mumisitsinerup Nipaa (The Sound of a Revolution)
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4
A rock band from Greenland? Indeed! This Indigenous band, Sumé, recorded three albums in the early 1970s. This documentary should be a great introduction to the band, their politics, and music.
Closing Night
Sunday, Oct 26th, 6:30pm
The Embargo Collective II
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, imagineNATIVE commissioned five short films created by five female Indigenous Canadian filmmakers. The screening will be followed by an in-depth, in-cinema panel featuring the artists and executive producer and project manager Danis Goulet. The line-up looks very strong.
On-Goin until Fri, Oct 31st
Ice Fishing
Art Exhibit At 401 Richmond
imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest Indigenous festival showcasing innovation in film, video, radio and new media. For full film and festival listings, as well as ticketing and box office information, visit imaginenative.org.
One of my favourite film festivals, and the first I decided to cover when I started this site, the Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TAD) takes over downtown Toronto beginnng tomorrow until October 24th.. In store, there are 9 nights of horror, action, cult, and sci-fi movies. It is by far, one of the most fun festivals to attend… not only as a cult film fan.
For those of you who, like me, are still making up your schedules, I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of films I am planning to check out. If you don’t reside in Toronto but you’re not wanting to miss the film festival, have a look into short term rental accommodation provided by companies such as DelSuites and others in the Toronto area.
Opening Night
Thursday, Oct 16th, 9.45pm
SUBURBAN GOTHIC (USA)
Director Richard Bates, Jr. bring us this “spooktacular ghost-hunting horror comedy starring Criminal Minds’ Matthew Gray Gubler, Thor’s Kat Dennings, Twin Peaks’ Ray Wise, Jeff Combs & John Waters“.
Horror comedies are not only fun but can have a wider appeal. I have also read some positive reviews on this film; as such, it seems like a good way to start our time at TAD.
Sunday, Oct 19th, 9.30pm
LATE PHASES (USA)
This werewolf thriller builds to “an intense violent climax, in which a series of vicious nighttime attacks in an otherwise tranquil community compels an aging war veteran (Stake Land’s Nick Damici) to take matters into his own hands. As the ex-solder starts to track down the culprit, he realizes he’s up against a deadly foe that’s not quite human, but rather one part man, one part wolf, and very hard to kill”.
A werewolf thriller? There is no way I could miss this film. And yes, this film is also garnering some positive attention as well… I’m ready to howl!
Monday, Oct 20th, 7.00pm
OPEN WINDOWS (SPAIN/USA)
From Spanish director, Nacho Vigalondo (Time Crmes) comes this dark cyber thriller about a man (Elijah Wood) forced into a deadly game of cat and mouse with an online psychopath.
Elijah Wood in a thriller sounds rather enticing, if you ask me. Being a fan of Spanish horror as well, I am keen to see how this project turned out.
Tuesday, Oct 21st, 7.00pm
PREDESTINATION (AUSTRALIA)
A sci-fi crime thriller about a time-travelling agent (Ethan Hawke), tasked with stopping crimes before they’re committed.
To be frank, I am choosing this film based on the fact that it’s Ethan Hawke and a sci-fi movie. Add some time travel to the mix and I am there… well, in a manner of speaking.
Thursday, Oct 23rd, 9.30pm
WHY HORROR? (CANADA)
In this documentary, horror journalist Tal Zimerman (Rue Morgue) travels the world to understand why we love to be scared. Horror icons John Carpenter, George A. Romero, Eli Roth, Don Coscarelli and more share their lively opinions to the subject.
I think many of us wonder the same thing, why do we “love to be scared”? I also think we need to support Canadian film projects, especially documentaries. I am definitely looking forward to this one.
Closing Night
Friday, Oct 24th, 7.00pm
LET US PREY (UK/IRELAND)
When a menacing stranger (Game Of Thrones’ Liam Cunningham) shows up in the middle of the night at an isolated police station, the officer on duty (Pollyanna McIntosh) finds herself suddenly besieged by a demonic outbreak of violence.
Hmm… cryptic description. I researched more about this film and all I have to say is, it sounds like a heck of a ride! Not for the faint of heart but certainly one not to miss. Bring a buddy, if necessary.
All screenings are preceded by various genre short films. And for your convenience, all films screen at the Scotiabank Theatre. For full details on the festival line-up, festival passes, film times and more, visit torontoafterdark.com. See you in the night… after dark.
