We got some rather remarkable Canadian documentaries in the 2023 Windsor International Film Festival. The WIFF Prize in Canadian Film category had zero documentaries this year.
Someone Lives Here Documentaries might cross over more if they had solutions instead of focusing only on problems. Khaleel Seivwright, a Toronto carpenter, built private shelters for homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shelters use the person's body heat to warm up the space. Brilliant idea. Yet we see time and time where the Toronto city government fights back against the shelters. Director Zack Russell focuses on the battle as well as how well the shelters work and the dignity they provide. The documentary is minimalist, like the shelters themselves, and smartly doesn't extend its stay.
Swan Song The documentary on National Ballet of Canada artistic director and former dancer Karen Kain is more about the lead up to her final ballet before her retirement than the impact Kain had on the ballet company. Director Chelsea McMullan chose to focus on how a large ballet comes together, especially for a show such as Swan Lake. You will learn more about Kain from the Q episode with Neve Campbell (executive producer of the film and student of Kain at the National Ballet of Canada) than you will from the film. That documentary would be worth doing as well as this one. Worth the watch but you miss wanting to know more about Kain. There is a 4-part TV version airing on CBC and CBC Gem.
Tautuktavuk (What We See) This is a story of 2 sisters yet they aren't really sisters. Co-directors Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk tell us stories about Indigenous women and the trauma they suffer. The elder sister Saqpinak (Kunnuk) is in Iqaluit in Nunavut while the younger sister Uyarak (Tulugarjuk) is in Montréal. They communicate mostly by Zoom like during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually Uyarak travels to Iqaluit. They share more trauma in person, especially domestic abuse and childhood sexual abuse. The stories feel real and you might not even know they aren't really sisters. A film to think about long after you see it.
Rojek was covered in an earlier review.
Twice Colonized Aaju Peter grew up in Greenland and is fighting for Indigenous representation in European matters. The twice colonized is about Denmark (over Greenland) and Canada (over its Indigenous population). The film covers a lot of ground: informative and legitimately entertaining. The comparisons between the circumstances are eye-opening and not a hindrance. Where Swan Song has little to say about its subject, this film gives us a nice balance between the individual and what she is accomplishing. One of the best examples of showing Indigenous concerns in multiple areas.
Without Precedent: The Supreme Life Of Rosalie Abella The recently retired Rosalie Abella is not the RBG of Canada. Turns out Abella has an amazing story before and after she joined the Supreme Court of Canada. She was the first Jewish woman appointed to the high court. Brian Mulroney appointed Abella to the Court of Appeals and Paul Martin appointed her to the Supreme Court, so this isn't partisan. The story is compelling enough to watch, even if you aren't a justice or political nerd. You will enjoy the film more if your interests are in those areas.
Forest For The Trees: The Tree Planters We all need tree planters, especially with forest fires. Tree planting is hard physical work. The film dives into the psyches of why people pick up tree planting. Most documentarians don't put themselves within the film. Director Rita Leistner does so and it works. We learn fun facts, such as tree planters burn 8,000 calories a day. Nice drawings help guide the film. Had doubts this topic would be interesting but was surprised how well this earned my attention.
You Can Call Me Roger This film covers the basics of Assembly of First Nations regional Chief Roger Joseph Augustine. If you know little about the history of aboriginal people in Canada, you will get a strong education. A residential school survivor, his ascent into leadership took many years and hardships along the way. For example, we learn that Indigenous veterans weren’t able to participate fully in Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Lebanese Burger Mafia A carefree look at the staying power and disorganization that are the Burger Baron restaurants in Alberta and elsewhere. The chain wasn't founded by people of Lebanese descent but somehow immigrants from Lebanon came over and dominated the chain. Known for its secret mushroom sauce recipe (Campbell's mushroom soup is a key ingredient) yet not every location had the same menu items. An interesting story even if you have never eaten at a Burger Baron.
Canadian film case study: Rojek
WIFF Prize in Canadian Film
We tried really hard to see To Kill a Tiger from the 2022 competition. We thought we could watch the film on Canadian soil through the National Film Board (NFB) but that was not an option. We don't give up easily.
photo credit: Someone Lives Here film
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