In the parallel universe that would be the normal existence we used to have, I would be waking up in an Airbnb in Windsor this morning. My film schedule planned out, yet knowing changes will happen. I would get a butter tart for breakfast or go to Tim Hortons or maybe have a few protein bars and a baggie full of oat-based cereal.
Today would have been the start of the 2020 Windsor International Film Festival running through November 8.
We've known for a few months that there is no festival and no way for Americans to cross into Canada for casual events such as a film festival. We know there aren't that many Canadian films even available. The Chicago International Film Festival, which did exist, chose not to carry a single Canadian film. We don't count co-productions since Canada is usually at the bottom end of the impact of co-productions.
Opening Day of the festival in Windsor: better than any Christmas I've had in a very long time. The walk over to the box office. The faces I would see on the way there. The excitement of calling out the films I would see that day. Comparing notes with others, even before seeing any films. The wonder of the French-speaking teenagers they bus into the festival in the morning on Day 1. See 2-3 films before lunch.
As much as these yearly trips have been about Canadian films and films in general, they are about being among like-minded people. They turn me on to films not on my radar. I let them know about films I've seen that will play within that week.
#WIFF has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 festival, originally planned for this November, in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patrons, volunteers and staff.
— WIFF (@WindsorFilmFest) June 24, 2020
For more information, please visit: https://t.co/QROZ5vSrDh pic.twitter.com/ZZwHAqb6B9
There are small items: going to specific restaurants, some of which may have gone out of business in 2020. Sitting in the poutine shoppe. Finding plenty of waste cans in downtown Windsor. The weather isn't the greatest in late October and early November but I get plenty of exercise, even with 6 films in a day. Let's not forget ketchup chips. So good.
I don't live in Windsor but feel very comfortable running into people that I know and some on a casual basis. Windsor is a very friendly city to your humble narrator.
The film festival usually runs just before Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the U.S.). People wear poppies in Canada; the money from the poppies goes to veterans. Not one for adornment, other than the lanyard around my neck for passholders. Still I feel honoured to wear the poppy while walking the streets in Windsor.
There is an empty feeling this morning. No Canadian films. No films. No sense of purpose for waking up. The one week where I get to enjoy large crowds, busy schedules, and lots of great conversations. All silent in 2020.
I did get a sense of social distancing at one film in the 2019 Windsor International Film Festival. I picked We Are Gold, a Quebecois film for the last slot on Tuesday night. There was a person who took a seat far in the front just as the film was starting. That person didn't last long. I was alone in about a 700-800 seat theatre for the film. There was a bit of teasing, all friendly, about how I got an exclusive viewing of the film.
The film was rather good, just bad timing that no one else saw the film.
2019 WIFF Canadian films in review
2018 WIFF Canadian films in review
2017 WIFF Canadian films in review
Breaking down 2016 WIFF Canadian films
Breaking down 2015 WIFF Canadian films
2014 Windsor International Film Festival wrapup
Reviewing the WIFF 2013 Canadian films
Reviewing the WIFF 2012 Canadian films
This fall's 2011 Canadian film crop: will they come to the United States?
In light of not having a festival, feel free to read our film review capsules over the years. Maybe you discovered one of these films years later. Plenty of good Canadian films over the years. Whatever people might think of Canadian film, the last decade has produced some intriguing titles.
Windsor International Film Festival cancels the 2020 festival
CanadianCrossing.com film reviews
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
We are told to appreciate what we had before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. I do feel like I treasured my time during the Windsor International Film Festival both in and out of the theatres. I know I will really appreciate that opportunity if we ever get back to somewhat normal.
photo credit: me
logo credit: Windsor International Film Festival
Twitter capture: @WindsorFilmFest
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