Two Unique Film Festivals: Mark Them In Your Calendar

The Women of the Toronto International Deaf Film & Arts Festival (left to right): Jill Andrew (publicist), Tracey Salaway (dir. The Story of Ch'ien-niang), Catherine MacKinnon (Festival Director), Catherine Miller (producer) and partner Ann Calamia (writer/director)of the Opening Night film, Universal Signs.

With the over-abundance of film festivals that Toronto has to offer, I want to shine the spotlight briefly on two that occur in the merry month of May: Toronto's Inside Out LGBTT Film Festival and Toronto International Film & Arts Festival (TIDFAF). Both festivals outreach to specific audiences as well as their allies.

Inside Out has come a long way in its 19 years, and I wanted to see what my listeners would think of the festival. I offered up a pass to the festival and invited Gyles (pass winner and lead vocalist for JamesKing) to share her thoughts on the festival. Gyles is a gay-positive, Black woman, and a major fan of the Black gay comedy series, Noah's Arc, but she had never attended Inside Out. I think a lot of people are in her position, where they plan to go, but never get around to it. Let's face it, Toronto has a lot of distractions.

Gyles had a great time at the festival, even though she was disappointed by a couple of the films she saw. Still she would attend the festival again, and intends to make a point of it next year, now that she has broken her attendance record. She especially related to the film, THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, the documentary about San Francisco's openly gay politician, Harvey Milk. Maybe next year, more allies of the LGBTT community will be like Gyles, and come out to Inside Out.

Unlike Inside Out, the Toronto International Deaf Film & Arts Festival (TIDFAF)is in its infancy, but Festival Director, Catherine MacKinnon has high hopes for it's growth. MacKinnon, several talented filmmakers, and a simultaneous interpreter took a break from screenings across the street at Innes Town Hall to join me in studio.

TIDFAF was my introduction to deaf culture, and although I didn't get a chance to attend, I was impressed by the line up of films. What's it like to fight for the use of using sign language in Portugal after having it surpressed for over 200 years (10 YEARS OF PORTUGUES SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION)? How did deaf people react to Sept. 11th--did the hearing community think about them (911 FEAR IN SILENCE)? What does a deaf holocaust survivor have to tell us about life in a concentration camp (ANNA'S SILENT STRUGGLE)? The next TIDFAF takes place in 2011.

Over the upcoming months, I am going to make an effort to incorporate more deaf culture into TMTM. Let's all continue to learn about ourselves and each other as we explore the arts together.

Photo Credit: all photos by donna g

Inside Out: Scott Ferguson(Exec. Dir.) Talks About the Children's Program

donna g: There is a little gem of a program at Inside Out that many people may not be aware of. I’m talking about your Children’s Program. How many years has Inside Out been programming films for younger viewers and how did the festival realize there was a need for this special program?

Scott Ferguson: We have been programming Children’s films for the past six or so years. We have seen a increase in the number of parents within the LGBT communities over the past decade and it was really important to try to provide opportunities for entire families to come to the Festival and enjoy screenings together.

donna g: How are films selected for this program? You have 3 films in this year’s program, two of which have LGBT content and one that does not. What is the priority (if any) in choosing children’s films for an LGBTT festival?

Scott Ferguson: We look for films with queer content or a queer sensibility. In the past we have screened works like Charlotte’s Web, which isn’t specifically queer but does feature gay icons like Paul Lynde and Debbie Reynolds. Last year we screened the 1970s television special Free To Be You and Me starring Marlo Thomas. This special was groundbreaking in terms of teaching kids acceptance, diversity, and individuality.

donna g: This year Inside Out has a Focus on France spotlight. One of the films in the Children’s Program is the French film, THE RED BALLOON, directed by Albert Lamorisse. This film was released in 1956, while the other two films in the program (BUDDY G, MY TWO MOMS & ME and DOTTIE’S MAGIC POCKETS) are recent releases. What is so special about this film that you chose to include it in the program?

Scott Ferguson: The two recent films in the program are great little kids videos that are by and about queer families but stories like that, aimed specifically at children, are few. We chose the Red Balloon for a few reasons – it fit with our Focus on France, it is rarely seen anymore and there is a newly restored 35mm print of it. Again, it is not an overtly queer story but it does teach about feeling like an outsider and finding your place in the world.

donna g: What do you have to say to English-speaking parents who might be concerned about the inclusion of a French film in this section?

Scott Ferguson: I don’t think it was a concern at all – it’s a children’s classic around the world for a reason. The film has a very simple story line and there is almost no dialogue in it, which makes it easy to follow.

donna g: Are there any plans to expand the Children’s Program for Inside Out’s 20th anniversary year in 2010, or are things fine as they are?

Scott Ferguson:
I’d like us to feature a few programs that appeal to different age groups, including toddlers, kids and pre-teens. Our programming choices are always dependent on what films are out there and the financial costs. Hopefully you’ll see more programs in 2010.

Inside Out 09: Artistic Matters

I created The More the Merrier radio show so that you and I could learn more about various aspects of the arts. Well, ever heard of Wolfgang Tillmans? Yes? Great! No? Great! On Sunday, May 17th at 2:30 pm Inside Out is presenting a documentary of German photographer, Wolfgang Tillmans at the Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles Street). So, whether or not you are familiar with this art star, here is your opportunity to see IF ONE THING MATTERS: A FILM ABOUT WOLFGANG TILLMANS (Germany/USA). The film also screens with shorts UNITED FILM STILL (Australia) and TAKING PICTURES (Canada).

Festival details at www.insideout.ca

Photo courtesy of Inside Out

Inside Out: Why Not Try A Little Something Spanish?

It's not my sole intention to send you to subtitled films at Inside Out, but how could I resist telling you about CHEF'S SPECIAL (Fuera de carta), a Spanish comedy that has two actors from films by Pedro Almodóvar: Javier Cámara (Talk to Her, Bad Education) and Lola Dueñas (Talk to Her, Volver). Like last night´s Opening Night Swedish film, PATRIK AGE 1.5, this film also deals with the paternal instinct. In this case, however, there is a lack of fatherly nurturing on the part of restaurant manager Maxi (Cámara) towards his two children. Meanwhile, Maxi's maitre d', Alex (Dueñas) develops a fascination with neighbourhood hunk. I'm not expecting Almodóvar, but this film has won some Spanish awards, and I don't think Almodóvar is the type of director to rehire actors if they aren't good. I've also seen these actors in these films and liked their performances. Vamanos! See you at the Bader Saturday night at 9:45 PM!

Photo courtesy of www.insideout.ca

Inside Out '09: Paternal Instincts

Never been to Inside Out? Tonight's Gala screening of PATRIK AGE 1.5 is a film that I can highly recommend. I saw this film at TIFF last September, and am going to see it again, I loved it so much. The basic premise is this: a gay couple think they have adopted a baby aged 1.5 year; instead, a mix-up occurs and they end up with a rebellious, straight, homophobic 15 year-old.

What I absolutely loved about this film is the way in which it handles the topic of paternal instincts. There is a scene in which one of the characters is on a bus and we see him watching a mother interacting with her baby. He looks at the scene with such yearning that it makes your heart ache. In Swedish with English subtitles. Don't even think of being scared off by the subtitles!

Here's a look at the trailer:

CLICK HERE for ticket information or call 416-967-1528. For all things Inside Out please visit www.insideout.ca

Getting By In Life

I love doing my show, but there are just some Saturdays where I wish I could just call in to the studio from home. Not possible, when you are the host as well as the technical operator. Don't get me wrong, I book my own guests and they are always people I want to talk to and introduce to listeners, but every once in a while I just want a lazy day. Every time I feel this way, and go in to the studio, my mood is instantly elevated by my guests. Every time.

On today's show I spoke to director, Aron Gaudet (he called in from Boston) about his film, THE WAY WE GET BY, and the three seniors (one of whom is his mother) who greet troops as they come in and depart from Bangor International Airport in Maine. When I heard about this film, I kept wondering why it wasn't called The Troop Greeters, and I kept forgetting the name of the film. After seeing the film, I realize that it was really about how to get by in life, how to give your life meaning when you have lived a long time, experienced loss, and there aren't that many seasons ahead in your life. We come to understand life and our own mortality through these three portraits of Joan Gaudet, the military widow who gets up in the middle of the night to see troops come in (she gets too emotional seeing them off), Jerry Mundy, the ex-Marine with a heart problem whose humour entertains the troops, and Bill Knight, whose life seemed to stop when his wife died, but who greets the veterans so that they will not experience the pain that the Vietnam vets felt. These three people are wonderful examples of what it means to live life to the fullest by finding a way to get by.

My second guest was playwright/actor, Rob Salerno. Rob is also the founder of Ten Foot Pole Productions, a theatre company that tells stories that "polite people wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole". Rob's latest production is BALLS, a coming of age comedy-drama that also deals with the issue of testicular cancer. Although Rob was inspired to write the play after a friend died from the disease, he wanted to stress the fact that BALLS is more than just a "cancer play", and that themes of young men and masculinity is at the heart of the play. There is also lots of humour involved as you can see from the play's poster.

Showtimes and Tickets: BALLS runs until May 17th at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Tues-Sat 9pm and Sun at 3:30pm. 100A Ossington St. -- One block north of Queen St. W. Tickets are $19 and are available at the door, by phone at 416-915-6747 or online at: lowerossingtontheatre.com Partial funds raised by this production will go to the North York General Hospital's Underwear Affair.

It's always a pleasure to have Sistah Lois a.k.a
Afrikan Princess on my show. Maybe it's because she was the first solo interview that I did way back when during my By All Means days at CIUT. I was very nervous and she put me right at ease. She still does. She dropped by to talk about the Art of Praise Chorale Collective, which she started as a way to bring joy into people lives (it was a reaction against all the war talk that followed 9/11). The chorale is still going, and always looking for new members, regardless of singing or musical ability. If you can make a noise, you can participate, and if you have a twoonie + a loonie bring that with you so that people who had a one-way fare can get back home on the TTC. It's all about community, shedding your fears, and doing a little charity work at the same time: any extra funds is donated to a local or international charity. The chorale is looking for lightweight musical instruments to send to a school in Guyana. Sistah says feel free to drop in any Tuesday night at the The Spiritual Church of Toronto, 706 College Street. Sessions run from 7:00-9:00 pm. For more info visit: http://www.nuzest.net/aop/

Photo Credits:
"The Way We Get By" photo courtesy of Hot Docs
Rob Salerno and "Balls" poster courtesy of Ten Foot Pole Productions
Sistah Lois photo by donna g

Hot Docs 09: Not Loving LOVE IN INDIA

LOVE IN INDIA was a disappointment for me. I had been expecting a revealing discussion of why, in the land of the Kama Sutra, public displays of affection and talking about sex was such a social taboo. Director Q has discussions about the issue with several people, from philosophers to friends, but the way the film is pieced together is sloppy and rambling. There are scenes that go nowhere, too many shots of his beautiful girlfriend, Rii (did I need to see her rolling around in the rain or see the two of them watch a video of themselves making love?), and not enough thoughts of how the documentary should unfold in a cohesive manner.

I appreciated scenes of Q's family, especially the female members, talking about their views of love and sex. A widowed aunt is full of emotion as she talks about the oppressive nature of India, and how she didn't dare go against society by having another relationship after her husband's death. I would have welcomed the inclusion of a women's services organization in this film, but all I got were statistics on how many women are murdered or commit suicide in the name of love gone wrong.

If you must see this film, it has another screening Sunday, May 10th, 4:00 pm at the Cumberland.

Photo courtesy of Hot Docs.