SCORE: A Hockey Musical Hits The Mark On Going Green

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund and Planet in Focus have created an award that I believe is looooooooooooong overdue. It's called the Green Screen Award, and it was created to motivate directors, producers and even studios to make the green shift in an industry that could use a little greening. The producer and/or director with the most inspiring green-on-set-story will receive a $5,000 cash prize plus the services of Planet in Focus for FREE on their next project.

For more information about The Harold Greenberg Fund, Planet in Focus, and The Green Screen Award click here.



The very first film to hop on the Green Screen bandwagon is SCORE: A Hockey Musical. Which incidentally, will be screening on May 19th at the SilverCity Brampton Cinemas for a REEL CANADA festival extravaganza with the Peel District School Board.



I got a chance to sit down with one of the stars of SCORE: A Hockey Musical, the lovely miss Allie MacDonald, to ask her what her impressions were from being the first project to be a part of the Green Screen program.

RC: What was the general reception of going “Green” on set? Was it at all frustrating, or was everyone really excited to make the “Green Switch”?

AM: Everyone involved was behind the switch. It was a no brainer. Film sets are usually such a difficult place to find a recycle bin so I was happy to not have to trek several miles in search of one.

RC: Do you think the changes implemented could transfer over to a big budget blockbuster type motion picture?

AM: Absolutely. It's necessary. The only challenge is switching from film to digital. We used a Red One camera, which is the most comparable to film quality. With the technology continuously improving the switch will be an easier one to make for bigger budget films. Also, more and more high profile actors are demanding sets be green-ified and when I can without risk of being replaced I will too!

RC: Did you find that recycling/compost was readily available while on set?

AM: Usually on a set there's only one option, garbage. Watching the bins get filled up with plastic and recyclable material is heartbreaking. On the set of Score at every garbage bin there was also recycle bin and a compost bin. What a treat to see the garbage bins stay empty! When you take away the recyclable and the compostable waste, you're left with almost nothing.

RC: What changes in your daily life have occurred as a result of being a part of this green initiative?

AM: I am already a die hard recycler, but being part of the process made me realize how important it is to get involved outside your own home, and take initiative in educating and supporting others. Don't be afraid to speak up!

RC: 20 tonnes of Greenhouse gas were eliminated from the overall production process (tip of the cap). Any personal reflections about the experience or about the current Green Shift that seems to be taking over the globe?

AM: It was easy for me to take part in the process, but the producers and studios are the ones who need to decide to make positive changes when planning their projects. The way we do things now is simply not sustainable. The movement is growing! Be there or be square.

REEL CANADA At Meadowvale Secondary School

We travel west, on this most cinematic of days, to Meadowvale Secondary School, home of the Meadovale Falcons and one of the coolest high school lecture halls I have ever been in. With a swinging screening room, and a Tim Horton’s just a stone’s throw away – the day looked very promising!

The first film on the Meadowvale agenda is titled Terminus, by Trevor Cawood. It’s a quirky little short, only about 8 minutes in length, about a man who encounters a dancing man made entirely out of concrete. The man (human) attempts to rid himself of this new acquaintance, achieving his goals in a most unusual way towards the end. The computer graphics are second to none in this short, and it has lit a bit of a fire inside me to spend more time watching short films – they are totally worth it!



After the film, facilitator Rob Kennedy led the room in a discussion about Canada’s role as a global leader in the animation industry. Terminus also served as the inspiration for an on stage Concrete-Man dance off, the winner of which won himself a pair of tasty Cineplex tickets.

Next in line for the viewing is the Hubert Davis' feature documentary, Invisible City. A film about the hardships of living in Regent Park during a time of major community transformation. It focuses on the lives of two young men named Kendell and Mikey, as they try to stay focused on school despite peer pressure, and social prejudice, in one of the city’s most turbulent areas.



After the film, the students and teachers discussed the unique environment surrounding their school that includes both community housing as well as upper-middle class establishments. It can be easy to take for granted opportunities to see the world with a more balanced view, and the Meadowvale students launched into an insightful discussion about the environmental elements that can set people apart, and just as easily bring them together.

In the afternoon, we screened another short film, Arrowhead, directed by Peter Lynch and starring the incomparable Don McKellar. Don takes us on a journey around a suburban park recounting tales from his youth, and the discovery of a full mastodon skeleton. This film is always a hit with students, and Meadowvale did not disagree.



After screening the “mocumentary” Arrowhead, we discuss what elements are necessary for a true documentary, and if, in fact, The Jersey Shore qualifies. You decide... (and let us know).



Our second full-length feature is The Trotsky, written and directed by Jacob Tierney. It is one of my new favourite films, and I urge all of you to grab it from your local video stores and embrace the hilarity. It’s the story of a young high school student in Montreal named Leon (played by Jay Baruchel), who is thoroughly convinced that he is the reincarnation of Soviet revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky.

After staging a hunger strike at his father’s factory, Leon is tossed out of his private school and thrust into the public school system, where he makes new friends as well as enemies. Though a comedy at its core, The Trotsky takes a good look at the difference of boredom vs. apathy in the high school environment, and always leaves me wanting to start a revolution.



Last but most certainly not least, we end the day with another one of my REEL CANADA favourites, Backjumping. Jay Dahl takes us on an epic adventure past extreme waterfall diving, beyond aggressive Frisbee, up and over extreme Jam Ball, and into the realm of Backjumping. It’s a sport that involves a hockey helmet, a roll of duct tape and a lot of guts.



We end the day with our mission fully accomplished! I believe we’ve started something here at Meadowvale S.S. - Maybe we’ve inspired a new wave of documentary filmmakers, budding revolutionaries, extreme backjumpers, and most definitely some Canadian film lovers. Either way Canadian film is hitting the streets hard, and students are taking notice.

REEL CANADA At Prince Edward Collegiate Institute

We began our day for the Picton Film Festival early - I mean really, really early - 4:00am early. But that’s the kind of team we’ve got here at REEL CANADA. No school is too far to bring Canadian films to students across the nation. This morning the students of Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (PECI) viewed Jay Dahl’s hilarious short film, Backjumping, followed by the thoroughly Canadian feature, One Week, by director extraordinaire Michael McGowan.



For those of you who have not seen One Week (tisk tisk), it’s a story about a young man named Ben, played by Canada’s own Joshua Jackson, who discovers he has a very aggressive form of Cancer throughout his body. This news sends Ben into a personal tailspin and upon a pleasantly convenient back-alley-encounter with a man selling his vintage motorcycle, he decides to embark on a journey West. Though he doesn’t know specifically where he is going, Ben is sure that some answers to his newly-burning questions lie along the way. While on his travels he comes across the worlds largest “Muskoka Deck Chair”, an unattended Stanley Cup, and some new friends that help inadvertently shine a little light on his situation. It’s a wonderful film about self discovery and personal honesty. It’s also a touching love letter to Canada with its constant uber-Canadian scenery and ample music by Canadian legends. The frequent Tim Horton’s “Roll Up…” references are pretty fun too! From the varying Canadian dialects to the Gord Downie cameo, this movie is as Canadian as it gets!



Next on the agenda at PECI was a selection of short films beginning with the 1969 animated classic Walking by Ryan Larkin. Though it’s hard to imagine with our present day animated films, Walking set the bar in animation for its naturalistic human motion in a time when all images were drawn by hand, and could include hundreds of separate drawings.



Following Walking was another seasoned gem titled The Log Drivers Waltz by John Weldon. Set to the popular classic Log Driver’s Waltz folk song, this film also employs a clear expertise for human motion in a time when the only instrument animation artists had was a pencil and their imaginations.



Moving into the present era, the third film screened was the Oscar-nominated, I Met the Walrus by Ryerson grad, Josh Raskin. The film is set to an audio recording from 1969 when a 14-year-old Beatles fan snuck into a hotel in Toronto where John Lennon was staying, and requested an interview for his school paper. The result is spellbinding and surprisingly relevant to modern day politics.



The fourth and final film screened is titled Ryan, and is also set to an audio recording of a conversation between the director, Chris Landreth, and animator of Walking, Ryan Larkin. It’s a touching tribute to the ground-breaking animator, though not without its fair share of regrettable events. After paving the way for the animators of his day, Larkin experiences what every artists fears most – the loss of his ability to create. Larkin’s substance abuse, followed by his descent into poverty lead him to panhandle on Montreal’s St. Laurent Blvd. and seek refuge at a local shelter, where the film predominantly takes place. The film Ryan is an ever-moving, visual masterpiece that won numerous awards including an Oscar for best short film, animated.



For more pictures of the films, as well as student ratings, check out our REEL CANADA catalogue. And for pictures from the event on April 1st, see our Facebook site.

Hot Docs Meets REEL CANADA

This year’s Hot Docs Festival is closer than you might think. It begins April 28th and runs until May 8th, and it will be jam-packed with screenings, forums, amazing youth programming and a sizeable amount of hobnobbing.

In my excited anticipation, I have decided to dive in a little early and do a bit of a Hot Docs meets REEL CANADA crash course. The list of films that pop up in our catalogue that have screened at Hot Docs is a lengthy one, so I’ll keep things short and sweet and cover just a couple filmmakers at a time…



The first filmmaker on the list is Charles Officer. An incredibly talented man responsible for the exceptional film, Nurse.Fighter.Boy. With his debut feature film taking home six out of ten Genie nominations, Officer has solidified his place on the Canadian film scene as a fearless and uncompromising filmmaker. His short film, Short Hymn, Silent War provides another prime example of Officer’s attention to emotional detail. When watching his films I feel the dialogue just as much as I can hear it. Furthermore, for a director who enjoys silence in his works, I find that key information is flawlessly conveyed, sometimes on an almost subconscious level. This year, Hot Docs presents Officer’s latest film Mighty Jerome, about one of Canada’s fastest athletes, Harry Jerome. In Officer’s debut feature documentary, he confronts the topics of race, determination and Canada in the 1960s. Mighty Jerome plays at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Isabel Bader Theatre and the Review Cinema, so check the Hot Docs website and do not miss it!



Our second amazing filmmaker of the day is Hubert Davis who is part of The National Parks Project screening this year at Hot Docs. This unprecedented film gathers its brilliance from 52 contemporary artists including Peter Lynch (Project Grizzly), Sturla Gunnarsson (Such a Long Journey) and Zacharius Kunuk (Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner). The film includes music by Sarah Harmer and Sam Roberts among others, and features 13 national parks filmed in all their Canadian splendor. This is Davis’ third film presented at Hot Docs. The first being Hardwood in 2007, which won him the Don Haig Award as well as an Academy Award nomination. His second film was Invisible City, a film that focuses on Tornto’s own Regent Park, the largest public housing community in Canada. Invisible City made Official Selection at the Atlantic Film Festival and Rencontre Internationales Du Documentaire De Montreal in 2009, and also won for Best Canadian Feature at Hot Docs that year. The National Parks Project will be screening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and The Royal Cinema, and tickets are going fast!

So there you have the first two on our lengthy list of Hot Docs meets REEL CANADA connections. Stay tuned to read about our next featured filmmakers who have left their tracks at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival – North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market.

The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom - Review

Right off the top, I need to get something off my chest. I was, in fact, not a huge fan of Dolly Parton at the beginning of the week. This has since changed. Between her massive support of the film, her real life generous spirit, and the on-screen subtle reminder that she writes ALL of her songs, I am now a fan with a capital F!



Canadian film turns my crank for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because we are REALLY good at making movies, and secondly, because I absolutely love seeing Canadian landscapes and hearing regional speech dialects from across Canada. Both of my loves were present in the film The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom, written and directed by Montreal filmmaker Tara Johns.

It’s a story about a young girl, Elizabeth (played by Julia Stone) who accidentally discovers, at the tender age of 11, that she is adopted. After searching for any trail of her birth family, Elizabeth takes hold of the idea that she is the long lost child of Dolly Parton. Luckily, Dolly is soon going to be just a few hours South of the border in Minnesota for a concert, and if Elizabeth can just meet her, then maybe she can finally be reunited with her “real mom”.



The story is set in an unnamed prairie town (with hints of Manitoba), and features its beautiful, flat, vast terrain; as well one of my top favourite birds of all time – the noble Magpie!



With family relations and abandonment as main components of the story, I have to admit that I walked into the cinema with a pretty good idea of what was going to happen. I was close, but there were several unexpected moments throughout the film that made it stand out from the average "coming-of-age" movie. The relationship development between Elizabeth and her adoptive mother, Marion (played by Macha Grenon) was completely original, and yet universal. There is one particular moment of honesty (which you will have to watch the movie to understand) that really levels the playing field for both Elizabeth and Marion. It reminded me of the importance of allowing myself to see people, particularly my own mother, in a different light.

The honest portrayal of young girls was another much-appreciated factor. The truth that we sometimes shy away from is that life for the average pre-teen is pretty rough. Friends can be fair-weather at best, enemies can be downright brutal, and parents can be in need of a little growing up themselves. I love it when filmmakers have the skill to remind us of these harsh memories we like to tuck away, and Tara Johns’ debut feature hit the bull’s-eye.

Time is running out to see this film. There may only be one or two theatres in town still screening it (Sigh - Canadian film distribution limitations), but the ongoing blog (HERE) by the director is pretty swell too!

REEL CANADA at Earl Haig SS

The memories of our time spent at Earl Haig Secondary School may be dimming, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pause and reflect on how AMAZING the day really was…

Right off the top I would like to say that my new goal in life is to create a machine with which I can travel back in time to attend Earl Haig. The students, faculty, and overall school vibe is a delicious mix of kindness, intelligence, and a heavy dose of creativity.

Take for example this art installation, with circular cut-out “peeps” into tiny dioramas relating to the films being viewed that day – too cool (and too on topic, as one of the films was Peep Culture, based on the book The Peep Diaries by Hal Niedzviecki)!



To continue the creative amazingness, Earl Haig has a Student Film Festival called Zoom, which looks to be as professional and entertaining as TIFF, or even, dare I say … REEL CANADA.



The first feature of the day was Gunnless, which ended with raucous applause! Immediately following the film was a Q&A with noted film, book and popular culture critic, Geoff Pevere. During the Q&A, students had a chance to hear his reactions to the film, which were coloured by experiences growing up in a time when the vast majority of television content was the Mighty Western. Geoff talked about Canada's culture and history, and how the way a nation is shaped affects the way we tell stories about our past - we didn't have a 'wild west', and we therefore don't have a strong tradition of Westerns, unlike the United States. However, that doesn't mean we can't poke gentle fun at the genre, as Paul Gross does in Gunless.



Next on the screening schedule, as we mentioned above, was Peep Culture, based on the book The Peep Diaries. The film follows one man’s quest to understand our current society’s desire to be constantly broadcast around the globe via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, and every other social media site out there. The film asks the question: is it vanity, exhibitionism, or something else that gives us the burning desire to attempt fame by posting videos of ourselves worldwide, sometimes in our most embarrassing moments.



The third film screened at Earl Haig was Reel Injun, a poignant look at how the film industry has misrepresented and in turn, solidified an inaccurate image of, Native Americans. CBC Radio film critic and TIFF programmer Jessee Wente spoke with students in a very candid discussion about the face of racism throughout the last 100 years and what it is like to have large gaps in his knowledge of his own Ojibway roots. Jesse challenged the students to think about the films they watch critically, even getting in a dig at Canadian-born Hollywood mega-director James Cameron's recent hit Avatar, for the way it depicts an indigenous culture's relationship to its colonizers.



The day couldn’t have gone better, and I can’t wait until we go back again! The building itself is beautiful, but the spirit inside is what really gave Earl Haig its charm. Until we meet again Earl Haig, until we meet again (in my time machine).

Q & A for New Year

I got a chance to do a little Q&A with the producer, writer, and star of the film New Year, Julian De Zotti.

RC – What was the writing process like coming back to a script on and off for a year?

JDZ - I think it was a good thing. You really have to let a script breathe. It gives you time to step back, be objective about what really works and what doesn't. Something that was a great idea then can be terrible months or a year down the road. Also, usually in that time someone else has read the script and gives you feedback that can be incorporated.

RC – To shoot a feature in 10 days is a heck of a thing to attempt. How was the process?

JDZ - Exciting, nerve wracking, yet very professional. We didn't have time to screw around. We had to shoot an 86 page script in ten days so you have to be very clever as well as put your complete trust in your crew who is working to get everything shot. However, while there was the pressure of having to complete in ten days, it brought us all close together working toward a common goal. We were able to laugh a lot and have a ton of fun without the magnitude of the project overwhelming us.

RC – How has Nick Rose’s (played Peter) ACTRA award nomination changed the promoting of the film?

JDZ - It has legitimized the film in some of the industry's eyes. It's also shown ACTRA's true colours. They really do support their own. They are 100% behind their actors staying busy and doing what they love! They have helped us to promote the film to their large membership and treated us very nicely through the whole awards process. We definitely include it in all our advertising materials!

RC – A movie about 20-somethings in Mississauga seems to be quite a hook; did you foresee this being such a point of interest for audiences?

JDZ - We did, moreso making a movie about 20-somethings that isn't American Pie or your typical Hollywood "teen movie". The Mississauga thing exists only because we grew up there and this is our own version of what that was like, growing up in a certain part of that suburban experience. I think people of that age, even younger, as well as their parents age, will recognize themselves, their older siblings, or their children up on screen.

RC – You're an actor, producer, director, writer – which is your favourite hat to wear?

JDZ - Oh dear. Well, to be honest, I wrote the film so I could act in a movie. The writing was a ton of fun, especially with Phil as my partner. I did the acting, and he did the directing. Producing is a lot of work, and means you are with the project for the whole time from beginning to end. I am still "producing" this movie and we shot it three years ago! However, there is a sense that the film is really yours, and I love the challenge of going out there and finding an audience for it.

RC – What was your favourite Canadian film growing up? What is your favourite Canadian film now?

JDZ - I'd have to say Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy. It was one of those hilarious, quotable movies that just never leave you. Recently I enjoyed Away From Her, and Polytechnique blew me away.

RC – Who is your favourite Canadian director?

JDZ - Denis Villeneuve is doing fantastic work right now, and I have a soft spot for Cronenberg.

RC – What unique perspective do you think Canadian filmmakers offer, and do you see yourself as an active member of that group?

JDZ - Because we are just north of the biggest exporter of films in the world, there's always this tension and pressure to best them. It is also tough when distributors can't sell our own movies, and a lot of the time our audiences just aren't interested. Taking all that into account, Canadian filmmakers find a way to stand out. They tell stories that can highlight a fringe or alternative viewpoint: characters, story, design. It makes for fascinating movies. There are so many diamonds in the rough. Go to your local video store and check them out. We made this movie so we could become a part of that group, and maybe usher in another generation of entertaining, and thought-provoking Canadian movies.

New Year at The Royal Cinema

In the new film New Year, Jason is 20-something, living in Mississauga, getting less than average grades at his post-secondary school, and has just been informed by his parents that he is about to be financially cut off. So what does someone do when faced with that kind of situation? Throw a massive party and go down in a blaze of glory – right?

I went to see New Year at The Royal Cinema knowing that I was going to see a movie about being a confused young adult, and a party to end all parties. Not a bad hook; but at the end of the day I need substance, action, and a heavy dose of talent. Was I let down, you wonder aloud? Indeed, I was NOT!

New Year was a good under any conditions, but for a film made on a shoe-string budget – it was great. And for a first film (for filmmaking duo Julian De Zotti and Phil Borg), it was a Herculean feat! New Year is solid across the board, from acting to writing, to the filming itself. I’m not going to lie to you; there was a part of me that wondered if I had it in me to care about a group of people and an age group that doesn’t exactly demand my sympathies. However, this is a film about more than kids and parties. It’s about questions that don’t have answers, and the need to leap without being able to see the other side. It’s a refreshing peep into fears that aren’t frequently acknowledged, and a smashing soundtrack to boot!

Avant-Garde Canada: Curating the CFMDC Collection at TIFF Free Screen

If there’s one thing I love more than Canadian film, it’s FREE Canadian film! This year, the TIFF (at their new home, TIFF Bell Lightbox) enters into its sixth season of Free Screen, a program that seeks to provide film lovers with a chance to see independent and avant-garde works while exploring various art forms and how they relate to cinematic works. Of the four free events this season, two are part of a new program co-produced by TIFF and The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (CFMDC), aptly named Avant-Garde Canada: Curating the CFMDC Collection.

TIFF and The CFMDC welcome to the Lightbox the inaugural International Curatorial Residency Programme, Avant-Garde Canada. The first event of the program was just last Wednesday with a screening of Keeping Trace – On Time and Film. Seven short films were screened, all relating to the passage of time and the emotional experience of witnessing abandoned, aging scenery. The curator of the event was Marlene Rigler, a European curator and researcher who also happens to be the Artistic Director of Platform3 in Munich, Germany.

The second installment of the program will be on March 23rd, titled Images of Nature, or the Nature of the Image: Canadian Artists at Work. It will again feature seven short films spanning four decades of Canadian experimental cinema and the great outdoors. The screening will be curated by American scholar, Irina Leimbacher; and aims to present natural wonders in a unique and distinctively cinematic way.

I most certainly plan on attending, and I recommend you leave those wallets at home and join me! For more information about Avant-Garde Canada and the other free events in the TIFF Free Screen calendar, check out the TIFF website here.

Kingston Canadian Film Festival in Full Swing

The Kingston Canadian Film Festival turns 10 years old this year, and to celebrate, the festival brings you a cornucopia of screenings, workshops, special guests, and even a silent auction. With the Oscars still on our minds and the Genies fast approaching, the excitement of a film festival is just the ticket. And, with tons of high profile guests and films, this year is sure to deliver. For a full list of what's playing, click here. There are also workshops, some of which are FREE (you all know my fondness for that F word). Some of the free workshops presented this year are Short Film, Kids Animation and Screenwriting. There’s also one called "Breaking in, Starting a Career in Film and Media". As you may have guessed, this is a workshop to help film students and enthusiasts learn about the industry and what it takes to get a foot in the door. There will be several industry professionals in attendance, including REEL CANADA's own Operations Manager, Kat, and a good friend of our program, film critic and programmer Jason Anderson. You can check out his impressive bio here. He graciously allowed me to ask a few burning questions for the REEL CANADA audience, and I know you will enjoy his responses.


1) You work as a programmer for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, so you must see quite a lot of Canadian films. Who is your favourite new Canadian filmmaker?

Daniel Cockburn from Toronto. He’s already had a long(ish) career doing short video art works but he’s just made a debut feature called You Are Here that’s one of the most ingenious, original and indescribable movies I’ve ever seen come out of Canada (or just about anywhere else). Also really impressed with Denis Côté, a filmmaker from Montreal who’s made six features in as many years – a formidable feat!

2) Your current career spans programming, film criticism, teaching at U of T, music, multi-disciplinary writing – How did all these avenues come together in your life? And what do you wish someone had to told you when you first embarked on a career in the arts?

I’ve been lucky in that I’ve been able to pursue so many of my interests. Deciding to go freelance years ago really helped because it’s allowed me to pursue so much at once and devote so much attention to my writing especially. Trouble is, I get so busy that certain things (like my creative writing – I’ll get back to my second novel someday!) get stuck on the back burner. But as for early advice, I’d say that the most useful might have been to keep the plate full and not be afraid to multitask like crazy. Also, the best thing that any young writer (or any kind of artist, really) can do is be productive. I think it’s always better to stumble forward in the direction of your ideas and interests than worry too much about not knowing what you’re doing!

3) If you were stranded on an island, what Canadian flick would you ensure comes with you?

Probably one of my favourite Cronenberg movies, like Videodrome or A History of Violence, though the island locale might get me hungry for other landscapes – the incredible Arctic landscapes of Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner are another place I like to visit, at least remotely.

4) Art has a way of changing perceptions and opening minds. Was there a film in this year’s KCFF selection that had that kind of impact on you?

Definitely Denis Villeneuve’s Incendies is a very strong example of that, as well as a film that explores how so many new Canadians can never truly leave behind the traumas they experienced in their former homes. So many of us live like we’re in two places at once, which can have both good and bad results.

5) There is so much talent and so many fantastic films to see, what are your criteria when selecting films for the KCFF this year?

I definitely try to find a broad range of films in French and English (or Arabic, too, as in the case of Incendies) and find titles that will have broad appeal as well as those that may be quirkier (like You Are Here). I hope audiences are adventurous because cinema for me is so much about what can happen when you step outside your comfort zone and discover something new.

6) What are your top three picks for teens?

Modra is definitely a great one for teens, especially since it’s about them! It’s a combination of coming-of-age story and travelogue that is really charming. Our opening film A Beginner’s Guide to Endings is a more raucous comedy and the next best thing to visiting Niagara Falls. And You Are Here is really something that stimulates the synapses, too – chances are you haven’t seen anything like it.

Well there you have it! So much to see and do at this year’s festival, including 7 French language films AND all screenings begin with a local short film. As I mentioned, our own Manager of Operations, Kat Gligorijevic, will be in attendance, and will more than likely be tweeting from the event from twitter.com/reel_canada. For more info about the festival, click here, and if you're in Kingston, make some time to get down before it ends!

Canada at the Oscars

The Genies won't be on till March 10th, but to keep Genie Fever at bay, that other film award show south of the border is taking place this weekend. What's it called again? Oh yeah. The Oscars.

Here's the scoop on Canadians that are nominated for an Academy Award this year.

Nominated for Best Foreign Film: Denis Villeneuve's powerful and heart-wrenching drama, Incendies, about twins Jeanne and Simon's journey to the Middle East in search of their tangled roots.



Villeneuve previously wowed audiences with Polytechnique, a dramatization of the real-life tragedy known as the Montreal Massacre, which took place in 1989 when several female engineering students were murdered by an unstable gunman while attending classes at the École Polytechnique. The REEL CANADA catlaogue includes Villeneuve's clever, visually compelling short film Next Floor. Check out the trailer here:



The Canadian adaptation of Mordecai Richler's book of the same name, Barney's Version, garnered one Oscar nomination, for Best Makeup. We wish Montreal-based makeup artist Adrien Morot the best of luck on Sunday! Inexplicably, Paul Giamatti wasn't nominated for his awesome performance as the lead, Barney, but he did win a Golden Globe for the role, and is nominated again at the Genies.

In fact, both Barney's Version and Incendies lead the pack for Genie nominations this year, with 11 and 10 each, respectively.

One other Canadian will be feeling the pressure on Oscar night - Vancouver based sound designer Craig Berkey, who is up for his work on the Coen brothers' western True Grit.

And, while we will of course be rooting for all the Canucks at the Oscars on Sunday, the real fun comes on March 10th, when the Genies honour the best in Canadian cinema, and we get to see more than just a few Canadian faces in the crowd. Besides, what's going to be more awesome, a show hosted by Anne Hathaway and James Franco, or a show hosted by William Shatner!? No matter how cool they are, they're never gonna measure up to this guy:



Ok, maybe he doesn't look like that anymore, but that level of awesome lasts a lifetime.

Enjoy the awards shows, everyone. We'll see you on the red carpet.

REEL CANADA rocks Ancaster High

Amazing event this week at Ancaster High, where the school's video club whipped together a killer DIY film festival for the entire school.

We piled into the REEL CANADA-mobile at the crack of dawn on Wednesday Feb 16th and drove out to Ancaster, where preparations were already well underway for a super cool event.

When we arrived, we were greeted with a fabulous breakfast spread set up in the school's TV studio, our makeshift green room for the day. Check out the film-themed helium balloons:



Here's our facilitator, Rob Kennedy (left) chatting with Production Coordinator Mark Meeks (right), right before we 'hit the stage' for the morning introductions:



All grade 9 and 10 students watched The Rocket in the morning. Though many hadn't heard of Maurice Richard before the screening (we were shocked!) they were certainly fans by the time the film was over. One teacher even remarked "it was so great to see them cheering for the Canadiens, feeling some Canadian pride instead of regional rivalry".

The video club ran the equipment & managed the day as professionally as any crew we've ever worked with. Here's a few of them getting ready to pose for a shot for the local paper, which came out to cover the event:



In the afternoon, all grade 11 and 12 students watched The Trotsky (a comedy about a teen who's convinced he's the reincarnation of Soviet revolutionary Leon Trotsky, and tries to unionize his high school), then participated in a live Q&A via Skype with the film's director, Jacob Tierney, who was in Montreal. The students fired a lot of smart questions, and Jacob responded in kind. Everything from "why Leon Trotsky as opposed to any other revolutionary?" to "was this what you were like in high school?" to "why is it important to support Canadian films?" was covered.

An amazing and inspiring day that reminded us of just how great it is when schools embrace the spirit of REEL CANADA and really make it their own. We're definitely excited to go back to Ancaster next year!

Modra Screens At The Royal

I hate to say it, but every time I go to The Royal Cinema to see a movie, I end up kicking myself for not going more often. It’s so easy to get to, I love the film selection, and I’m guaranteed to always have a good seat. I could go on and on about the enjoyable experience of a room full of film lovers, and the frequent occurrence of running into the artists themselves there – but I’ll spare you.

Friday night I went to see Modra, a feature by Ingrid Veninger which stars her daughter Hallie Switzer and up-and-comer (and quite possibly the only person in the film not related to the director), Alexander Gammal. It’s a sweet film about a young girl named Lina (Switzer) who, after getting dumped by her high school boyfriend, spontaneously invites a relative stranger, Leco (Gammal), to take her ex's place on a week-long trip to the small Slovak town of Modra to reunite with family and do a little exploring.

I think what I loved most about this film was the director’s ability to make the lead characters real, authentic teenagers with insecurities and viewpoints that could have spilled into the 'overdone' category, but remained genuine and completely sympathetic.

The journey of the two leads as they begin to get to know each other, followed by the assumptions about what two people do thousands of miles away from any form of authority, to the eventual development of their relationship, is unexpected and perfect. Modra runs until February 17th, and I urge you all to take the College streetcar on over to The Royal Cinema (608 College St) and see what I’m talking about.

There’s also the chance that Hallie (Modra's lead, Lina) will be the one behind the counter serving up popcorn (with real butter, I’m told), as it is her part-time job before heading off to her post-secondary studies in the fall. Too cool for words – I love The Royal!

31st Genie Award Nominations

Like many fellow Canadians, I am excited by only two things (ok, maybe more than two) - Snow Days and the Genie Awards! Just last week (Feb. 2nd) the nominations were released, and we here at REEL CANADA couldn’t help but notice some familiar faces…

Barney’s Version, produced by REEL CANADA Advisory Committee member, Robert Lantos, leads the way with a whopping 11 nominations.

Sonja Bennett has been nominated for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, for her work in Cole - which was directed by REEL CANADA Western Advisory Committee member Carl Bessai. Sonja can also be seen in a quirky little comedy titled Fido (part of the REEL CANADA program) – look into it on our website for more details.

Jacob Tierney and Jay Baruchel received well-earned Genie nods for The Trotsky. This film is quite possibly my favourite of the year, and I urge every one of you to watch the trailer on our website under “Films”, quickly followed by running out and buying it – not just rent, BUY.

Next on the long list of REEL CANADA friends nominated is Vincenzo Natali, nominated for Achievement in Direction for his work on Splice. Vincenzo's scary short film Elevated is part of our Short Films Programme, and unless you have issues with elevators, you’ll want to check it out post haste!

Canadian favourite Molly Parker was nominated for Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in Trigger, directed by REEL CANADA Advisory Board member Bruce McDonald, whose films Highway 61 and Pontypool are in our program. Molly can be seen in many a Canadian film, my personal favourite being Men With Brooms, which also happens to be part of our catalogue. The late, great Tracey Wright was also nominated in the same category for her work in Trigger. Tracey was one of Canada's great actresses both on the stage and on the screen. She appears in the REEL CANADA short Green Door.

Callum Keith Rennie was nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role in Gunless, but can also be found in our catalogue in Don McKellar’s classic Last Night.

Last but certainly not least, director and REEL CANADA chum Peter Stebbings was nominated for Achievement in Direction for Defendor, and also received an honorable mention for the Claude Jutra Award – way to go Peter!

Here's Peter hamming it up with friend and fellow guest Devon Bostick, after presenting Defendor to an enthusiastic REEL CANADA audience at Monarch Park C.I. in Toronto)



So there they are! Congrats to all you familiar faces and new ones too! The Genie ceremony itself will take place on March 10th, so mark those calendars and pre-order the pizza! For a list of all the nominees, go here.

Keep it classy! And stay posted for our next blog about our upcoming events and contests…R

From LINC to the Hockey Rink

Hello again from your friends at REEL CANADA. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. Mine was certainly uneventful, but whatever. It's been a busy week in the REEL offices. Our LINC event at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre is so close we can almost touch it.

In other Canadian film news, Michael McGowan's new film Score: A Hockey Musical opens next Friday. Score was the opening night selection at TIFF this past September and has been gaining buzz in both film and sports circles. Let's all hope the film does better than the Leafs have in recent seasons. Am I right people?! Kidding, I don't know much about hockey. I assume Messier and Gretzky are still playing out in Edmonton.

Make sure you check out the trailer for Score and take a look at what the National Post had to say about this musical adventure on ice.

Michael McGowan is also the director of popular REEL CANADA film selection One Week. If you haven't already, make sure to check out this touching road movie starring Joashua Jackson (Fringe) and featuring a great homegrown sountrack.

Until next week young cinephiles. That's right, we're doing this every week now.



- Andrew