The strength of the English language Canadian film lineup in 2022 was in the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film category but not in 2023. Some outstanding picks in the regular realm of Canadian films this year. Nothing as depressing as Hands That Bind from 2022.
Backspot This film doesn't factor in a whole lot other than cheerleading but is strong enough that you don't care. Riley (Devery Jacobs) and Amanda (2023 TIFF Rising Star Kudakwashe Rutendo) are cheerleaders in a relationship who yearn to be with the cool group: Thunderhawks. Riley, Amanda, and Rachel (Noa Diberto) get that big break but the intense pressure of the cool group creates issues and concerns. A clever use of Riley messing with her eyebrows to showcase her anxiety. American actor Evan Rachel Wood is perfectly cast as the cold, intense cheerleader coach. Thomas Antony Olajide is really good as the assistant coach. Director D. W. Waterson, with a screenplay by Joanne Sarazen, gives us intimate shots of the pressures from cheerleading. The film delivers well at a strong pace, not trying to be anything other than what it is.
Fitting In Molly McGlynn (Mary Goes Round) is back with her second feature film telling tough stories. Lindy (American actor Maddie Ziegler) is 16 and hasn't had her period yet. Turns out Lindy has MRKH syndrome where she doesn't have a normal vagina. Lindy's mother Rita (Emily Hampshire) has her own health issues and is gracious in supporting Lindy. The film is upfront with steps taken by Lindy to improve her vagina in hopes of having sex with Adam (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai). The subject is serious and handled well and entertaining by McGlynn, who does not hold back punches. Djouliet Amara is wonderful as Vivian, Lindy's best friend. Hampshire gets to be a distinct character and not just a "mom."
My Animal A mostly dark film set in Northern Ontario with a likable main female character who turns into a werewolf falling for a female figure skater. Sounds like a wonderful Canadian horror film. Unfortunately, the buildup lasts through much of the film. Bobbi Salvör Menuez as the lycanthropic teenager and Amandla Stenberg as the figure skater are good in a limited script from Jae Matthews and a feature directorial debut from Jacqueline Castel. Stephen McHattie is the dad who understands his daughter very well. Even McHattie isn't sure what to do with the script. A great setup followed by a film that is quite frankly boring and not scary.
I Don't Know Who You Are This is an important yet a far from perfect film. The story is wonderful and based upon real experiences. The tone and intimacy is spot on in so many ways. You want to root for the lead character but the way the story goes makes that so difficult. Benjamin (Mark Clennon) is starting a new relationship but hasn't had sex with his new partner. Benjamin gets sexually assaulted and has financial trouble coming up with the $900 he needs to pay for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to protect himself from HIV. M. H. Murray directed the film and co-wrote the script with Clennon and Victoria Long. The sexual assault scene feels false as no big city street aware person would stop the way he does before the sexual assault. The scenes with the pharmacist stick out like bad sore thumbs. A few other scenes are problematic. Most of the film is worth watching but this film could have been so much better.
Canadian film review: Pogey Beach
Who's Yer Father? If you loved Pogey Beach, you will enjoy this film. Jeremy Larter is back with his rural Prince Edward Island humor. Larry Constable (Chris Locke) is an incompetent private investigator who gets hired to look into why he is losing lobster sales. Rhonda Perry (Susan Kent) is a convenience store owner who ends up working with Constable on multiple cases. The film knows its lane and speed: jokes such as Constable posting his name and face on the side of his van. Jess Salgueiro, Matt Wells, and Kaniehtiio Horn are some of the key actors on the film. Everyone involved is having fun and that shows in the final work. You may not laugh too loud yet there are a lot of fun chuckles in the film.
WIFF Prize in Canadian Film
BlackBerry was covered in an earlier review.
Irena's Vow Sophie Nélisse is the primary reason to see this film. The film tells the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke (Nélisse), a Polish woman who works as a housekeeper for a Nazi officer. Gut hides the Jewish workers she previously supervised. There is an intriguing abortion point within the plot. The story from Dan Gordon based from his play is very straightforward. Louise Archambault, who also directed One Summer in the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film, makes good use of the tight spaces within the house. This is the most likely within this category to get a wide release.
Seven Veils Amanda Seyfried (Chloe) is reunited with Atom Egoyan. Seyfried's character is dealing with her own trauma while working on a revision of the opera Salome. Egoyan incorporates the Me Too movement with the constant need for social media material. Rebecca Liddiard and Vinessa Antoine shine in secondary roles; their characters should also be in a separate film. If you thought Egoyan had slipped with films such as Guest of Honour, this film is a nice, solid comeback. The film is highly thoughtful and complex. Like Irena's Vow, this may be more visible on the U.S. side at some point.
Canadian film review: BlackBerry
photo credit: Backspot
Overview English French Documentaries
Comments