The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) always makes an appearance at TIFF with feature and short films by some very talented local filmmakers.

This year, CFC has two shorts screening at the festival: Anatomy of Assitance, directed by Cory Bowles of Trailer Park Boys.

This short includes more satirical tones. Nonetheless, it convey its themes in a manner that is not so overt yet able to grab our attention, and leave us contemplative.

Anatomy of Assistance gives us a day in the life of 15 year-old Talia who “is defiant, refuses the system, and thinks she’s got it all figured out. When she challenges the assistance envelope given to her by her school, she’s suddenly thrust in a daisy chain of errors that lead her to face a larger system: growing up”.

In his director’s statement, Bowles mentions he wanted to make a movie about a smart kid. Smart, but naïve. Talia is certainly smart but not street smart, in my opinion. She has yet to learn when it is okay to accept assitance because it is meant well. In this case, Talia has to learn more about choice and how these lead to certain consequences.

In a span of a few minutes, Bowles places us in a  neighbourhood with a distinct socioeconomic and sociocultural make up. The film brings up the themes of race, class, and the importance of education in a way that isn’t ‘preachy’ nor ‘judgmental’. It also shows us the differences between someone lending a helping hand versus someone trying to demeaning in a way. A lesson that Talia has to learn as well. As Bowles says, “that’s the anatomy of assistance”.

Anatomy of Assistance premieres at TIFF on Thursday, September 12th, 7pm, at the TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.