The Canadian documentary community is engaging in a symbolic moratorium during Hot Docs on Friday, May 4th at 12:30pm to protest the Federal cuts to arts and culture in Canada.
Filmmakers, festival representatives, distributors, film students and documentary fans will gather for a one-hour demonstration at the corner of Charles Street and Queen’s Park, (in front of the Royal Ontario Museum stairs).
“We can’t pretend this is business as usual. Our colleagues are losing their jobs and Canadians are losing access to a cherished cultural tradition. Our documentaries are celebrated around the world — but they’re on life support in Canada,” says documentary producer Katie McKenna.
The Documentary Organization of Canada is reporting that 1,500 full-time documentary jobs have been lost in the past two years. Canadian independent documentary production volume has decreased 30% since 2008, while CBC, CTV and Global Television have all reduced their documentary strands.
“Hot Docs is supposed to be a week of celebration of the Canadian documentary industry. Instead, we are wondering how many Canadian films can continue to be made when this government continues to cut its funding to Canada’s cultural industries,” says documentary producer Sarah Spring.
The recently-announced funding cuts include: – 10% cuts to CBC and NFB, including 18 full-time jobs lost in the CBC documentary unit – A 50% cut to the Telefilm Rogers Theatrical Documentary program – The closing of the NFB Cinérobothèque in Montreal and the Mediathèque in Toronto.
The documentary community is calling on Canadians to speak up about the cuts! Join us on Friday, and – Tell Minister James Moore what they think of the cuts (on Twitter: @jamesmoore_org) – Contact the CBC, CTV, Global TV to ask them to reinstate documentaries in prime time – Upload a video about why you love documentary to https://www.facebook.com/WeLoveDocumentary
Addendum: The original press release incorrectly stated that Global TV has “reduced its documentary strands”. In 2011, Global announced a new documentary strand, Close Up, and has further supported the documentary community through the Shaw Hot Docs Development and Production Funds as well as the Shaw Hot Docs TDF Best Canadian Pitch award. The organizers regret this error.
Performed by Danielle Baskerville and Tyler Gledhill
Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre
April 25 to 28, 2011
Paris1994/Gallery explores memory through the reflection of time, looking at how memory is a constantly changing perspective through highlighted moments between lovers. Set in an arena similar to an art gallery, the players become extensions in this installation that explores time and space.
Choreographed by D.A. Hoskins this piece of contemporary dance is meant to take us back to Paris when the two characters, portrayed by Danielle Baskerville and Tyler Gledhill, began a passionate romance. Through their dance and the use of video clips and sounds, we are partaking in the man’s memories of this romance. The memories are not in any chronological order, which makes sense as most memories come and go through time.
The show opens with Baskerville and Gledhill sitting on two chairs on a simple white stage, facing the audience; thus, evoking the sense of being in an art installation. Soon after, Gledhill dances on his own while Baskerville walks around changing into and out of her clothes. Once they share in the dance, there is a feeling of detachment event in moments were there needs to be passion. There is a lack of intensity in moments when the audience is expected to believe the connection between these two people. Nonetheless, there are moments of actual connection in which the winding of their two bodies does evoke a sense of romance.
The minimal stage by Jordan Worth and sound by Robert Kingsbury capture the feeling of being in a gallery installation. Yet the mixture of video clips, sounds and dance did not always seem cohesive in this sense.
If you have yet to experience contemporary dance, this may not be the piece for you. If you understand how dance can evoke emotions and meanings without words, regardless of cohesion, this piece will please you. Paris 1994/Gallery continues at Enwave Theatre until Sunday.
Continuing my Hot Docs coverage, here is part two of my preview. This list contains films that deal with human rights issues, corporate greed, women’s inequality, life-threatening illnesses and the passion that fuels art. These are, for now, my top picks. Do note I have yet to see other films during the festival but for now, keep these in mind and go get your tickets soon!
With My Heart In Yambo / Con Mi Corazón En Yambo Synopsis: In 1988, the director’s teenaged brothers were illegally detained, tortured and murdered by Ecuadorian police. Decades later, with their remains still missing, new developments fuel the family’s refusal to give up their search.
My thoughts: Dealing with such a personal and tragic story, director Maria Fernanda Restrepo, takes us back in time and deep into the abyss her family was thrown into since the day of her brothers’ disappearance. Like other documentaries dealing with human rights abuses in Latin America, this one is not easy to watch but a very important film in many regards. Restrepo presents us the grim picture of what ‘justice’ her family has yet to find, the strength her family has that keeps them moving forward and fighting for said justice. Stylistically, this film is also a stand out.
N.B. This past weekend, this documentary was recently honoured with the Dirk Vandersypen Award, which is an international prize of 2,500 Euro. It is presented to the maker of the best television documentary about Latin America and in honour of journalist Dirk Vandersypen.
Big Boys Gone Bananas!* Synopsis: When director, Fredrik Gertten, took on food giant Dole in his previous documentary, the corporate machine responded with aggressive legal and media campaigns to quash distribution and discredit the filmmakers. This epic battle for free speech proves documentarians will not go quietly.
My thoughts: Many of us would not be surprised that a giant company like Dole would take on Gertten given his last documentary presented them in a not-so-positive light. Yet, there are many that have yet to realize the extent to which companies will spend millions of dollars just to cover their own ‘behind’. Thus begins this story and its whirlwind of emotions, corporate bullying and more. If you’re a documentary fan and a believer that documentarians should expose corporate greed and abuse of power, you will not be disappointed.
Herman’s House Synopsis: After living in solitary confinement for 30 years, what kind of house would you envision? When artist Jackie Sumell asks jailed Black Panther activist Herman Wallace, it triggers a trip through years of brutal injustice.
My thoughts: Since Wallace is still in solitary confinement, he is never seen on-camera. However, we get to know through his talks with director Angad Singh Bhalla and his regular phone conversations with Sumell. Through the film Bhalla presents us with issues like social and racial injustice, personal struggle on part of Sumell. We do see the art installation she is able to put on with Wallace’s design for his ‘dream house’ on display as well as a wood replica of the 6’x9′ cell he’s been made to live in. But we also see how Sumell, at the request of Wallace, looks for land on which to live his ‘dream house.’ The film, like Sumell’s artworks, should make you question the ‘rationale’ behind life imprisonment and the U.S. penal system as a whole.
The World Before Her Synopsis: As young hopefuls compete in a Bombay beauty pageant, village girls undergo combat training in a rural fundamentalist camp. Director Nisha Pauja brilliantly captures the clash between modernity and tradition faced by young women in India.
My thoughts: It is not news that in India, women have few rights in a male-dominated society. Pauja takes us into the world of beauty and pageants while at the same time, contrasting it to the Durgha Vahini, the women’s wing of the militant Hindu fundamentalist movement. There are some very interesting comments from the young women themselves, from both sides. One that stuck out for me was from Prachi (a girl raised in the depths of the Durgha Vahini movement), who states “Being a girl child, [my father] let me live.” And a contestant on the Miss India pageant echoes the sentiment of how grateful she is to her mother for not getting rid of her. Regardless of how you feel about feminism or women’s empowerment, this is an interesting film to watch from the sociological perspective. These are certainly two very extreme ways of women ‘taking control’ of their lives.
Beauty is Embarrassing Synopsis: Follow the exuberant highs and crushing lows of pop-culture icon artist Wayne White: from humble puppeteer to one of the creators of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, for him, every day is an opportunity to create.
My thoughts: How many of you remember watching Pee-Wee’s Playhouse back in the day? Well, Wayne White not only created some memorable characters for the iconic show but also has worked on other great projects like the Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight” video – for which he received an MTV Video Award – and also his own paintings that have become widely popular as well. All that aside, what’s really interesting and engaging about White and his artistic family is that he does not take himself too seriously. He lives and breathes art but has fun with it! His perspective on art as a whole is refreshing, as he thinks that not all art has to be intellectual. A candid portrait of an artist and a greatly designed one too; you do not need to be an artist or a student of art to appreciate where he’s coming from. Make sure you stay for the credits for some great animations and other tidbits created by White.
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet Synopsis: In 1991, at 19 years old, Jason Becker landed a gig as David Lee Roth’s lead guitarist, but this headbanging prodigy’s dream is quickly yanked away when he is diagnosed with ALS. Despite the odds, Jason Becker is still rocking today.
My thoughts: This is an inspirational film about a young virtuoso whose dream of being a musician was interrupted by ALS (Lou Gehrigh’s disease). Many people die young from this illness but Becker continues to fight it and continues to make music. This documentary shows how his father created a system of eye movements in order for Becker to communicate but it also highlights the great impact family and friend support has on an individual. It is amazing to see Becker’s resilience. His rock star buddies still continue to be impressed as are his fans, who’ve expanded all over the world and continue to be amaze by his story and his talent.
Reminder: For full details about screening times and ticket availability check outhotdocs.ca or in person at their box office at 783 Bathurst Street.
This week, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival will begin another run. With 189 films from 51 countries, Hot Docs is giving Toronto plenty of choices. Documentaries are well favoured in this city, as several films have already gone RUSH!
Here I give you part one of my preview… Some of these films have broken my heart, have made me angry and have made me hopeful.
Finding Truelove Synopsis: Fascinated by a discarded yearbook from 1990 and the awesome students it immortalizes, three friends road-trip from Portland to Chico, California, to crash the class’s 20th reunion in this uproarious quest for feather-banged mystery man, Timothy Truelove.
My thoughts: This is a road trip that actually brings you back in time. This contains some great references for those of use who grew up in the 90’s. The music, the fashion, and the way the documentary is put together is reminiscent of something out of MTV, when it was cool. A good time for the most part but may leave some of you disappointed in the end.
Garden in the Sea Synopsis: This visually stunning documentary about art, landscape and environmental conservation follows Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias as she creates an underwater installation in Mexico’s beautiful Sea of Cortez.
My thoughts: For the art lovers and those interested in learning more about environmental conservation. This film moves at an intended slow pace as it covers four years in the creation of Iglesias’ installation. There is great cinematography and a sense grandeur in some way. Worth seeing on the big screen.
The Frog Princes Synopsis: Led by a charismatic mentor, a theatre troupe of developmentally challenged actors learns to face their fears and find their voices, as they mount a charming and ambitious adaptation of The Frog and the Princess.
My thoughts: Some memorable individuals in this documentary; particularly Rain-Man and Tanya. Rain-Man is a young man hoping to move out on his own soon. Tanya is a sensitive woman who has a fun yet fiery personality. This is more of an educational/TV documentary in style. It has some good moments but also some not so pleasant ones. The mastery that goes into putting on the play from improvisation to opening night will interest some of you.
Mama Ilegal Synopsis: Smuggled out of the country, three Moldovan women struggle to support their families by working as maids in Austria and Italy, while their husbands are left to face the challenges of raising kids in one of Europe’s poorest nations.
My thoughts: Moldavia is a country that shares a border with Romania. It is poor and this makes for a harsh life. The women leave husbands, children and parents behind in hope of making sufficient money to sustain them and better their lives. What is evident in this film is how the dynamics between husband and wife, mother and child(ren) changes dramatically. When some of these women are able to visit their home, emotions are high but so are the disappointments.
El Huaso Synopsis: An aging father returns to Chile to fulfill youthful dreams of becoming a rodeo horse rider, but his threats to ultimately end his life on his own terms leaves his family with conflicted feelings.
My thoughts: There is a lot more going on in this documentary than a father’s wish to become a rodeo rider. Is he serious about his intent to end his life or is there something else at play? This is certainly an intimate look at a Latin American family, their issues and their support of one another. A difficult film to watch. Bring tissues as there are some intense moments that will make you question what you’d do if you were in their shoes.
Glow: The Story of The Gorgeous ladies of Wrestling Synopsis: In this corner… the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling! Step back into the 80s and cheer on the beautiful, glittered and powerful ladies whose wrestling personas and over-the-top comedy sketches captivated television audiences.
My thoughts: This is a complete nostalgia film. Whether or not you grew up watching wrestling on Saturdays in the mid-80’s, you will find yourself interested in the lovely GLOW ladies. The film captures the essence of this all-female wrestling show and its stars. Seeing them years later and find out how their lives turned out adds to the appeal. You will not forget Mountain Fiji, Little Egypt, Tina Ferrari and the rest of these gorgeous ladies.
There will be more Hot Docs previews and reviews coming your way. In the meantime, visit the Hot Docs website or their box office (783 Bathurst St.) for tickets.
Wizard World Toronto Comic Con is this Saturday and Sunday. With a list of special guests that includes Scott Bakula, Amy Decker and artists like “Jock“, Mike Deodato Jr. among others, this is the place to be this weekend! Here is a short list of some of the programming that I think will pique your interest:
Mike Deodato Jr.
Saturday 04/14 1:00 – 1:45PM CHALK TALK WITH MIKE DEODATO JR. Don’t miss the chance to learn from superstar artist Mike Deodato Jr. (The Amazing Spider-Man; Wonder Woman) in a special workshop where he will share the tricks and tips behind some of his best works. Moderated and abetted by Glass House Graphics artist agency’s CEO David Campiti, who will also do portfolio reviews all weekend for their 2012 talent hunt!
2:00 – 2:45PM BEING HUMAN PANEL Sam Huntington (“Cavemen”; Superman Returns), Sam Witwer (“Smallville”; “Battlestar Galactica”) and Meaghan Rath (“The Assistants”) reunite to dish on their on-screen double lives, and all of the shenanigans that go on behind-the-scenes of their Syfy series “Being Human.” Moderated by SPACE TV’s Teddy Wilson.
Jeri Ryan
4:00 – 4:45PM JERI RYAN Q&A With a résumé that includes impressive roles including Seven of Nine on “Star Trek: Voyager,” Ronnie Cooke on “Boston Public,” or her newest role as Kate Murphy on “Body of Proof,” Ryan talks to fans about her extensive career, ups and downs in the industry and her thoughts on the new generation of sci-fi and fantasy on television.
COMIC SCENE: 2012 PREVIEW Ken Lashley (Batwing; Lucas Films), Marcus To (Batwing; The Huntress), Francis Manapul (The Flash; Adventure Comics) and Marco Rudy (Action Comics; Superboy) – four incredible artists working on one of the most anticipated re-launches yet – team up to discuss all of the great new projects we can expect to see in 2012.
7:00 – 9:00PM ADULT COSTUME CONTEST Get your best costume together and come on down to Wizard World’s Toronto Comic Con costume contest for fun prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend – you can click here for some Lord of the Rings inspiration!
Sunday 04/15
Dean Stockwell
12:00 – 12:45PM QUANTUM LEAP REUNION WITH SCOTT BAKULA AND DEAN STOCKWELL Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell reunite for a very special appearance at Toronto Comic Con. The two will take a leap back in time to dish on their days as Dr. Sam Beckett and Admiral Al Calavicci on the hit show “Quantum Leap.” Moderated by Electric Playground’s Shaun Hatton.
2:00 – 2:45PM AMY ACKER Q&A With leading roles in shows such as “Angel,” “Alias” and “Dollhouse,” it’s no wonder why Amy Acker has become a fan favorite. Acker sits down to talk to fans about her favorite career roles, including her newest in the highly anticipated Whedon film The Cabin in the Woods.
You can get a printable copy of the program guide here. Along with these talks there is so much more happening at Toronto Comic Con. Check out their website for full information on admission prices and programming.
Curtis Sullivan as La Haine and the Artists of Atelier Ballet
Opera Atelier presents Jean-Baptiste Lully‘s opera Armide in Toronto this month, prior to its debut at the Royal Opera of Versailles, France.
“We are thrilled to be revisiting and revitalizing one of our favourite operas, and to be embarking on one of the most prestigious tours in our company’s history,” says Opera Atelier Founding Co-Artistic Director and Armide director Marshall Pynkoski. “It is an incredible honour to be personally invited to be part of the seasons of both the Royal Opera of Versailles… these invitations are a testament to Opera Atelier’s growing international reputation.”
The Muslim and Christian worlds collide in Armide – the supreme operatic masterpiece of the 17th century. The invincible Christian knight Renaud and the Muslim warrior princess Armide play out their doomed love affair against a backdrop of hopeless obsession, jealousy and magic.
Armide will star soprano Peggy Kriha Dye in the title role, tenor Colin Ainsworth as the Christian knight Renaud, bass João Fernandes as Hidraot, Vasil Garvanliev as Aronte, Carla Huhtanen as Phenice and Lucinde, Olivier Laquerre as Artemidore and Chevalier Ubalde, Curtis Sullivan as La Haine, Meghan Lindsay as Sidonie, Aaron Ferguson as Chevalier Danois, and the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet.
The creative team for Armide includes director Marshall Pynkoski, choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, designer Gerard Gauci, and lighting designer Bonnie Beecher. Opera Atelier’s Music Director David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir.
The production runs April 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21 at the Elgin Theatre. All performances begin at 7:30 pm, with the exception of the Sunday, April 15 3:00 pm matinee.
Tickets for Armide can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1-855-622-ARTS(2787) or www.ticketmaster.ca, or at the Elgin Theatre Box Office. $20 Operatix tickets may be purchased by patrons under 30 in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office or online with the code OPERATIX. (Subject to availability. Valid I.D. required at pick-up.) For more information, visit www.operaatelier.com.
Photo Image by Bruce Zinger; courtesy of Opera Atelier.
By exclusively featuring Canadian films, the Canadian Film Fest‘s (CFF) goal is to provide filmmakers with valuable showcasing and networking opportunities and to offer the public homegrown productions to view and enjoy. Held annually in downtown Toronto, the festival showcases short and feature films and also includes opening and closing galas, parties, panels and other meet-and-greet sessions.
The CFF will screen nine feature films and ten short films. As well, the festival will feature two panel discussions with industry insiders on the State of Canadian Film Industry and the Canadian Genre Film Scene. The panels are free of charge and open to the public.
Canadian Genre Movie Scene – Thursday, March 29 at 6 pm A frank and candid discussion on the new wave of horror film directors in Canada, this panel will explore the beginnings and the future of genre-filmmaking in Canada, why many emerging filmmakers are turning to genre films and why audiences are responding so well.
Moderated by filmmaker Warren P. Sonoda(Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil, Servitude, Unrivaled), panel members include: George Mihalka (My Bloody Valentine), Wilson DaSilva producer of The Unleashed, Casey Walker director of A Little Bit Zombie, Susan Curran, Director of Marketing and Acquisitions for Anchor Bay, Rob Herholz, Executive Director of Sales/General manager for Anchor Bay and filmmaker Justin McConnell (The Collapsed).
The State of the Canadian Film Industry – Friday, March 30 at 6 pm
Focusing on development, financing and distribution this panel will assess the current state of the Canadian film industry and where it is headed, offering helpful, and informative facts to filmmakers and other industry professionals.
Moderated by The Toronto Star Film Critic Peter Howell, panel members include John Galway, President, English-Language Program, Astral Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund; Chris Bell, Production Executive, Original Programming: Scripted, Corus Entertainment; Kathleen Meek, Manager of Original Programming for Astral Television Networks’ Movie Services; Mark Slone, SVP at Alliance Films; and Dan Page, Director of Content for Telus.
Cloudburst will be the opening film; starring Olympia Dukakis renda Fricker, Ryan Doucette and Kristin Booth. Directed by Thom Fitzgerald. For those of you who like horror films, you may want to see The Unleashed. Starring Trisha Echeverria, Jessica Salgueiro, Colin Paradine, Caroline Williams, and Malcolm McDowell. Directed by Manuel H. DaSilva. On Saturday, March 31st you can sample a few short films as well. These include some experimental sci-fi, action and fantasy drama. Lots of Canadian talent at CFF.
Canadian Film Fest will take place at The Royal from March 28 to March 31, 2012. Tickets are now on sale through the Canadian Film Fest website. For more information on the festival schedule and to purchase tickets, visit canadianfilmfest.ca.
Toronto Comic Con is scheduled as the second stop on Wizard World‘s 2012 North American tour. “Toronto and the entire region have embraced Wizard World Toronto Comic Con over the past two years, and we’re excited to bring a first-class event to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World Board of Directors. “From well-known, relevant stars like Paul Wesley and Jeri Ryan and classic and cult actors and actresses to an outstanding collection of big-time artists and a unique array of exhibitors and vendors, there’s something for everyone.
Scott Bakula
Popular screen stars Paul Wesley, Jeri Ryan, Scott Bakula and Amy Acker will be joined by WWE® Superstar Edge®. Wizard World shows always have top-notch comics creators on hand as well, and Toronto Comic Con boasts one of the most impressive rosters ever. Headlining the group are Mike Deodato Jr. (“Amazing SpiderMan,” “Wonder Woman”), “Jock” (“Detective Comics,” “Batman”), John McCrea (“Hitman,” “Transmetropolitan”), Javi Fernandez (“Flashpoint: The Outsider,” “Captain America: First Vengeance”), Dale Keown (“Hulk,” “The Pitt”), Tyler Kirkham (“Green Lantern Corps,” “Blackest Night”), Marcus To (“The Huntress,” “The Authority”), Ken Lashley (“Batwing,” “Avengers”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”), Greg Tocchini (“Batman and Robin,” “Hulk”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “X-Force”) and Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”).
Sam Witwer
Other popular celebrity guests scheduled for Toronto include Dean Stockwell (Married to the Mob, “Battlestar Galactica”), Colin Ferguson (“Eureka,” The Opposite Sex), Sean Maher (“Serenity,” “Firefly”), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars: Episode V, VI, III, “Doctors”), Sam Witwer (“Smallville,” The Mist), Sam Huntington (Superman Returns, Fanboys), Meaghan Rath (“Being Human,” Lost and Delirious), Lance Guest (The Last Starfighter, Jaws: The Revenge) and Catherine Mary Stewart (Weekend at Bernie’s, The Last Starfighter ).
Children and adults are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite villain, superhero or pop culture personality for the chance to win special prizes in costume contests. This is just too fun to pass up!
Wizarld World Toronto Comic Con will be at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15. Tickets are available in advance online or at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($38 on site); two-day tickets are $40 ($55 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis. The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworldcomiccon.com.
Cinéfranco, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with love and passion. The festival has established itself as English Canada’s largest celebration of international Francophone cinema thanks to the hard work of Marcelle Lean (Founder/Artistic & Executive Director) and her dedicated staff.
Lean says of this year’s festival, “15 years ago Cinéfranco was born under the sign of love and passion for Francophone films… I am proud to say that my young, talented team and I successfully took up the gauntlet programming a great number of films never seen in Toronto from Ontario, Quebec, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Morocco, Mali, Cameroun.”
Here are some suggestions for you to explore at this year’s festival…
La Sacrée (Opening film) – Friday, March 23rd at 7pm François Lebas, a penniless professional conman, is about to strike the deal of his life: he is going to marry Sofia, the very rich fragrance queen…but before committing, Sofia would like to conceive with the handsome François. Unfortunately, François is told that he is sterile.
Short-Film Programme 1 – Saturday, March 24th at 11am Showcasing films from Canada, Belgium, Canada/Switzerland, and Mali.
Headswinds (Des Vents Contraires) – Saturday, March 24th at 9pm Sarah vanishes without a trace, leaving Paul and their 2 children in great distress … Away from Paris and back to his native Brittany, Paul wants to start from scratch … But life with its ups and downs does not spare him.
Short-Film Programme 2 – Sunday, March 25th at 11am Showcasing films from Canada and Cameroon.
Femmes en Miroirs – Sunday, Mar 25 at 1:15 pm A young Moroccan female photographer of international notoriety established in Paris, has to go back to her country to attend her sick mother. Her return triggers memories of her past and of her parents secret, controversial story.
All Our Desires (Toutes Nos Envies) – Sunday, April 1st at 6pm Claire, a young judge at the Lyon Court of justice, meets Stéphane, a seasoned yet disenchanted judge, she pulls into her fight against excessive debt.
Cinéfranco runs from March 23rd until April 1st. All film screenings take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox. For full listings, box office and scheduling information visit http://www.cinefranco.com.
The Perfect Runner celebrates the modern love of long-distance running by exploring our evolutionary past as a species defined by its ability to run. In the film we learn how humans are nature’s perfect endurance runners. With a skill that evolved far earlier than the development of our powerful brains, our African ancestors had the ability to outrun all the animals around them, allowing them to endure and ultimately thrive.
From Africa’s Great Rift Valley to the highlands of Ethiopia, from the most remote place in Arctic Siberia to one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons in the Canadian Rockies, Gemini-winning anthropologist and host Niobe Thompson takes us on a journey that connects science with adventure, and asks what today’s runners can learn from our evolutionary past.
In my interview with Thompson, he made the point that “the more money we spend on running shoes, the more injuries we seem get.” So what exactly is happening? Daniel Lieberman‘s research is helping us understand what may be behind these injuries. In the film, we meet Dr. Lieberman who is known as the father of the barefoot running movement. In a recent study of running biomechanics, Lieberman has shown how modern running shoes encourage a running style humans were never evolved to withstand, and which likely underpins the epidemic in running injuries we see today. With running shoes, we are landing on our heels; thus, accumulating stress over time that can lead to injuries. If we land on our forefoot, we would push back up especially if the foot is strong. This was the case thousand of years ago, our feet were much stronger since we had no specialized shoes and in turn, we would land on our forefoot when naturally running. Due to Liebeman and his colleagues’ research, the running shoe industry is undergoing a big change.
In Ethiopia, we see that children grow up running in bare feet. This is due to the level of poverty in the country and the nature of life there. Yet they grow up “to build a runner’s body; a complete body.” Running has now become a way of out poverty. When we see young runners at the National Championship, they are wearing running shoes but their feet are shaped differently. Their feet are more supple; they land on their forefoot. Theybenefit of that spring and get that energy back.
In Chukotka (Arctic Siberia), Thompson visits a group of herders. In Chukotka, where natural selection has been very strong. They have to run next to thee large animals and the tundra is never flat; your ankles are often being abused puts it in perspective. Running is part of their everyday life. This helps is yet more evidence that humans can in fact be effective runners.
In Canada, Dr. Larry Bell is training Olympic hopefuls by drawing from the “natural running” lessons he learned in Africa.
As seeing from the clip here, there are athletes who are indeed perfect runners. When I asked Thompson, (who’s an avid runner) if his technique has changed over time, the explained that before starting the film, he’d experienced all kinds of injuries from running. He thought he was done with running. The film helped get him back to running. He was always a heel striker; he has now shifted to landing on the forefront.
We also talked about how this film can be used as an educational tool. It is interesting to learn that human beings are nature’s fastest endurance runners. It’s fascinating to look at how the body has features that were designed for running and nothing else. In Thompson’s words, “science can be an adventure and this is what we try to do with our documentaries. This is an important role that television and the media can take a part in. It’s really important for kids to see that science is fascinating. We have to find interesting ways to ask questions to inspire future generations of scientists”.
What Thompson is trying to do with this film is to flip our perception of extreme behaviour. We often think of extreme sports as things that athletes do. “Considering our evolutionary history and the body we were given by evolution, the extreme activity is sitting in front of the computer, is driving the car all day, is not being active, is lying on the couch every night…it’s not being active. And that is going to lead into problems… what is ‘normal’ is walking, running, being active.” Taking part in more sports can help people become fitter and lead a healthier lifestyle, sites such as Flyerdiaries can give people tips and reviews of equipment that could come in useful to them.
The Perfect Runner airs Thursday on CBC’s The Nature of Things (check local listings). After seeing the film, you can also partake in the Journey by visiting the film’s website.
