Playing out more like a series of home movies than a documentary, Lots of Kids, a Monkey, and a Castle follows director Gustavo Salmerón’s family and his eccentric mother, Julita. As a newlywed, she wished for three things: the eponymous lots of kids, a monkey and a castle. They were ambitious dreams for sure, but […]
documentary
‘Le Ride’ Review: A typical doc with Intriguing Insight
A flood of documentaries come out each year, all in which attempt to accomplish either a mission or give insight to real life. Le Ride takes the insight route, breaking down the 1928 Tour De France cycling event. A challenge amongst nearly all athletes, a 3,500+ mile course in which only 41 competitors were able […]
‘Chasing Coral’ is a Devastatingly Beautiful Documentary
Jacques Cousteau, filmmaker, explorer, scientist and much much more, once said that people protect what they love. Whether or not this quote was in the minds of the team behind Chasing Coral, its message is pervasive in this hour and a half long documentary that is equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful. Coming from a background […]
‘Nowhere to Hide’ is Visceral in Storytelling
Nowhere to Hide is a story of a man struggling for survival in Iraq, where war has become the norm. The enemy is invisible, and neither women nor children have a safe hideout. Our protagonist, 36-year-old Nori Sharif, is husband, father of four children, and a male nurse. He becomes a videographer, documenting life over […]
CSFF 2017: ‘Salluit Run Club’ Review
Salluit Run Club is a short documentary about seven Inuit youth who travel to Hawaii to run a half-marathon. It’s not really about the half-marathon; it’s about their personal journeys and why they decided to take up running. Each one of these kids has their own struggles and it’s touching to see them open up to […]
CSFF 2017: ‘Hillsborough’ Review
On April 15, 1989, one of the worst days in football (soccer) history occurred. 96 men and women went to watch a game and never returned. Growing up as a Liverpool fan my Grandpa always told me about the Hillsborough disaster and how important it was that we honour the memory of those 96 who […]
Inside Out 2017: ‘The Lavender Scare’ Review
In 1953, President Eisenhower declared all homosexuals as “sexual perverts” that were risks to national security. During the Cold War where paranoia was at an all-time high, his executive order discriminated against the LGBT community, terminating them from their positions as public servants. This moment in history was a major catalyst for the fight for […]
‘Abacus: Small Enough To Jail’ is real drama, and real life
The mess that the banking and financial industry has become is all the more relevant in Steve James’ latest documentary, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail. From immigration politics to fraud, there’s a lot going on, but it’s a seamlessly presented look at such a crisis that gets you deep inside, yet never too lost, in […]
Inside Out 2017: ‘Woman on Fire’ Review
Brooke Guinan is the first openly transgender firefighter in New York City. She’s proud that she followed in her father’s footsteps to become a firefighter, but her journey wasn’t easy. From a young age, Brooke struggled with her own gender identity – she originally thought she was gay before understanding that she was actually transgender. […]
Inside Out 2017: ‘Rebels on Pointe’ Review
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is an all-male drag ballet company that mixes the technical perfection of ballet with the humour of a comedy troupe. Using their masculinity to explore femininity and the wide spectrum of sexuality, these dance rebels play up the clichés found in typical ballets that often intimidate people to attend, […]
Inside Out 2017: ‘Free CeCe’ Review
In 2011, CeCe McDonald was unfairly incarcerated after fighting back against her attacker. The media misgendered her and CeCe was forced to go to a male prison when she identifies as a women. From this, a movement began in order to support CeCe and other trans women, especially those of colour. The transgender community, including acclaimed […]
‘I Am Heath Ledger’ Holds Back, but is Personal and Tender
I Am Heath Ledger is a touching and haunting documentary about an undeniable talent. Cutting back and forth between archival footage and interviews with some of Heath Ledger’s closest family, friends, and collaborators, directors Derik Murray and Adrian Buitenhuis make us reminisce about all the great roles that Ledger took on. What we don’t get is, and […]
‘Risk’ is a Compelling look at a Controversial Character
By: Matt Prazak Laura Poitras, Academy Award winning director of Citizenfour, returns with her most personal and intimate film to date. Filmed over six years, Risk is a complex and volatile character study that collides with a high stakes election year and its controversial aftermath. Cornered in a tiny building for half a decade, Julian Assange […]
Hot Docs 2017: Strad Style
Stefan Avalos. USA. 104 Minutes. More Info. Danny Houck, a Ohioan who has never left the USA, is obsessed with violins. But he’s not obsessed with playing them – he’s obsessed with making them. His friends tell him that he could probably make more than just violins, including “guitars and stuff”. To which Danny responds […]
Hot Docs 2017: ‘House of Z’ Showcases Zac Posen’s Fashion Comeback
Sandy Chronopoulos. USA, Canada. 87 Minutes. More Info. In her feature film debut, director Sandy Chronopolous, a television producer for Rogers Media, documents the rise and fall and rise again of fashion wunderkind Zac Posen. House of Z is an intimate look at the beginnings of the fashion house and the drama that occurred behind the […]