Go Ahead and ImagineNATIVE!

Sunday, October, 23rd is the last day to enjoy screenings and events at the 12th Annual ImagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival. Why not spend a lazy Sunday afternoon exploring some of the following artistic and diverse offerings (list courtesy of GAT PR and ImangineNative). For complete details visit: http://imaginenative.org/

All Regular Screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox are $7! FREE to Seniors, Students (with valid ID), and the Underemployed before 6pm everyday! Closing Night Screening & Party tickets are $12 (with discounts for Student, Seniors and Underemployed).

Film & Video Screenings:
Towards the Sun
Oct. 23, 12:00pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2

Three incredible works from the Far North! FeaturingQueen of the Quest, Guovssahasa nieda (Dancing Virgin), and Towards the Sun.

Co-presented by Arnait Video Productions

Broken Promises: Shorts Program II
FREE SCREENING
Oct. 23, 2:45pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

Spanning geography and time, these films collectively speak to the evolution of Indigenous experience and promises that have been made... and often broken.

Co-presented by Planet in Focus

Saving Grace
Directed by Merata Mita
New Zealand, 86 min, 2011
Oct. 23, 12:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

The final film from acclaimed filmmaker and activist Merata Mita, Saving Grace is her very personal response to the violence and abuse that has plagued generations. Powerful and candid, this film gives voice to the many fathers, brothers and husbands who are taking responsibility for past wrongs by working towards a future free from violence and oppression.

Co-presented by Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Playing with:
Makings of a Kaitiaki
Directed by Sophie Johnson
New Zealand, 12 min, 2009

A Maori elder speaks candidly about her struggle to protect her homelands from becoming a sewage dumping ground.


Tunniit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos
Directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Canada, 50 min, 2010
Oct 23, 2:15pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2

Inuit traditional face tattoos have been forbidden for a century, and almost forgotten. Director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril uncovers the mystery and meaning behind this beautiful tradition as she endeavours to renew it with her own facial tattoos.

Playing with:
National Parks Project: Sirmilik
Directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Canada, 10 min, 2011

Commissioned as part of the National Parks Project, renowned director Zacharias Kunuk takes us on a breathtaking journey through the rugged Arctic landscape.

Sloth
Directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Canada, 2 min, 2011

This delightfully satirical animation reveals the evolution of Inuit stereotypes from past to present.

Co-presented by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, National Parks Project

Every Emotion Costs
Directed by Darlene Naponse
Canada, 90 min, 2011
World Premiere
Oct. 23, 4:15pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

As teenagers, June and Quilla ran away from their northern Ontario reserve, leaving behind a mentally-ill mother and their youngest sister, Ella. Years later, June and Quilla - their relationship now strained - return to their First Nation upon news of their mother's death. While there, the three sisters must come to terms with feelings of abandonment, the harsh realities of abuse, and the nature of family. Starring Tantoo Cardinal, Nathaniel Arcand and Michelle St. John.

Playing with:
Totem Impact
Directed by Duke Redbird
Canada, 4 min, 2011

Duke Redbird makes history with imagineNATIVE's first ever 3-D film!

Music is the Medicine
Produced by Jody Hill
Canada, 53 min, 2011
Oct. 23, 4:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2

Over the past 20 years, blues-rock virtuoso Derek Miller has built a highly devoted fan base, received numerous awards and played with a long list of famous musicians, all the while struggling with addiction and personal loss. This revealing documentary follows the now reinvigorated and critically acclaimed artist as he strives to further elevate his already esteemed career. Get behind the scenes of a local legend!

Playing with:
Northern Haze: Living the Dream
Directed by Derek Aqqiaruq
Canada, 37 min, 2011

Rocking the North hard and heavy since 1977, Northern Haze: Living the Dream tells the riveting story of the first known Inuit rock band to sing in their Indigenous language.

Co-presented by NXNE, iNative Fest, Revolutions Per Minute

Closing Night Gala
Screening Presenter: Global Toronto
Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes
Directed by Dennis Jackson
Canada, 74 min, 2011
Oct. 23, 7:00pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

World Premiere

The colourful cast of Wapos Bay makes the jump to the big screen! But everything is not well in this idyllic northern community. After a lifetime of happy memories living in Wapos Bay, Talon and Raven discover their dad has accepted a job in the big city. Travel back to Wapos Bay in this charming film for the whole family based on the award-winning TV series.

Prizes. Prizes. Are you in?

That's me with Mamma Gógó director, Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. TIFF is one of many film festivals that I cover and bring to you via The More the Merrier, every Saturday at CIUT 89.5 FM.








Support The More the Merrier and you might win a prize from the show prize package or win one of CIUT 89.5 FM's daily draws during the Fall Fundraising Campaign. Donate now by clicking on this link: http://www.ciut.fm/index.php/about/membership/ or by calling 416-946-7800 or Toll Free at 1-888-204-8976. Or call in Saturday, October 22nd between 1:00pm - 2:oo pm to donate during the live broadcast on 89.5 FM or at www.ciut.fm. Be sure to mention The More the Merrier as the show you wish to support!

Thank you and good luck!


Donate to The More the Merrier on Saturday, October 22nd bewteen 1:00 - 2:00 and you will have a chance to win a Family or Dual Membership . Courtesy of TIFF Bell Lightbox. Prize valued at $150

Other prizes include:

A VIP Pass courtesy of the Ontario Science Centre. Includes entrance to the Ontario Science Centre and Leonardo Da Vinci's Workshop: The Exhibition.




A pair of tickets to Chagall and the Russian Avant-Garde at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Courtesy of an anymous donor.

It's Baaaack! Toronto After Dark Film Festival Returns to October!

October is so much better for Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TADFF) than August. While I loved going to a film festival in August, being scared chilly in the Bloor Cinema and coming out to a hot day, I think October is a better fit for the this festival of horror drama, comedies and other genre films.

With its brilliant colour, its red maples, so similar to blood; its blustery winds, so chilling down the spine, and Hollowe'en, October is the perfect month for the Toronto Zombie Walk, and for TADFF fans to snuggle down in the festival's new venue, the Toronto Underground Cinema--a perfect match, in my opinion.

I'm looking forward to WAR OF THE DEAD. How about you? Haven't decided? Check out all the movie trailers: http://www.youtube.com/TorontoAfterDark

See you after dark!

Film Schedule/Tickets: torontoafterdark.com

Poster and trailer courtesy of Toronto After Dark FilmFestival

The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word-Oct. 11 -15th

David Silverberg is the host of the monthly Toronto Poetry Slam held at the Drake Hotel. He is also this year's host of the The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word.

donna g: What styles of poetry/spoken word are represented in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word?

David Silverberg: Every style of spoken word from dub poetry to prose poems to hiphop poetry. It's such a diverse festival and really shows Torontonians the breadth of spoken word in the country.

donna g: The CFSW launched last night at the Drake Hotel Underground. How was the turn out?

David Silverberg: It was a wonderful turnout! Around 180 packed into the Drake Hotel Underground and the audience was loving practically every delicious poem coming from the poets' mouths.

donna g: Last night you also had a Legends Showcase. Who were some of the talents that took to the stage, and how long did each person have to perform?

David Silverberg: Each of the poets had 15 minutes to display their talent. The Legends Showcase included Andrea Thompson, Eddy da original one, Lillian Allen, Sheri-D Wilson and RC Weslowski.

donna g: How many teams participated in the preliminary bouts last night, and where were they from?

David Silverberg: Last night 8 teams bouted, in two bouts altogether. They were:

First Bout-7:00 PM
A)1 Peterborough
B)2 Sherbrooke
C)3 Montrea – Slam Habs
D)4 London

Second Bout-9:00 PM
A)17 Edmonton
B)18 Kingston
C)19 Toronto – Up From The Roots
D)20 Saskatoon

donna g: How many judges are involved in the competition?

David Silverberg: Five judges are selected randomly from the audience.

donna g: How are the participants scored? I know there are rules to be followed, but are the teams rated on a score out of 10?

David Silverberg: Yes, scores are out of 10 and judges are told to rate each poem based on both performance and content.

donna g: When are the next bouts, and how many teams go on to the next round?

David Silverberg: The prelim bouts continue Wednesday and Thursday night. The top 8 teams from those bouts move on to Semi-Finals on Friday night at Royal Cinema.

donna g: When and where is the final slam event?

David Silverberg: The Finals is on Saturday, October, 15 at Metro United Church at 56 Queen St. E. $25 at the door, 8pm.

donna g: Who are some of the talented people taking the stage for Poets of Honor Showcaseon Saturday night?

David Silverberg: There is the awesome Robert Priest, known as Dr Poetry. And d'bi.young, one of the best dub poets in the world, in my opinion. A not-to-be-missed show!

donna g: Besides the slams, I understand that there are opportunities for poets/spoken word artists to develop their craft. What are some of the workshops being offered?

David Silverberg: There are workshops on crafting group pieces, led by Ottawa's The Recipe. A workshop on writing humour poems is led by David Clink and a Performance 101 event will feature Andrea Thompson and RC Weslowski offering advice to poets on how to hone their performance chops.TM

Canadian Festival of Spoken Word
October 11th-15th (Various Locations)

Keep track of team scores and get a schedule of CFSW day and evening events at www.cfsw.ca. For inquiries: info@torontopoetryslam.com

Toronto Poetry Slam
www.poetryslam.com

Photo of David Silverberg courtesy of Toronto Poetry Slam

TIFF 11: My Top Ten Faves!

Still dealing with a cold, but thankfully it's winding down. I finally feel well enough to post my Top Ten TIFF Faves as well as the list of what I saw this year at the 36th annual Toronto International Film Festival. How was your TIFF?

MY TOP TEN (alpha order)
THE TURIN HORSE-Hungary (Béla Tarr) (My #1 Absolute Favourite!)
See Review




Coriolanus-UK (Ralph Fiennes) i am a good person/i am a bad person-Canada (Ingrid Veninger)

TIE: This may seem a strange coupling since Ralph Fiennes is an internationally known actor/director, and Ingrid Veninger is Canadian filmmaker who may be known only by those who love Canadian film and make a point of watching them. Despite the range of budget and styles the sense of the personal permeates every frame of these films. Despite the fact that Coriolanus looms large with weighty performances from Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler, and Brian Cox, i am a good person equally invades the soul with performances by Veninger and her real life daughter Hallie Switzer. I enjoyed watching these two filmmakers bring their very personal visions to the screen.

Cut-Japan (Amir Naderi) Death of a Superhero-UK (Ian FitzGibbon)
Sometimes, because of my schedule of interviews and meetings, I go into films blindly, not knowing what they are about. While Cut and Death of a Superhero are not tied, they made my Top Ten list because both were wonderful revelations. Cut and its treatment of the death of cinema (the protagonist laments the fact that cinema which used to be both art and entertainment has been reduced to entertainment only) brought me into an elegiac world of film and Death of a Superhero, although dealing with a terminally ill teen delighted me with the solid acting delivered by its small cast and with its life-affirming (never indulgent) message.

Fable of the Fish-Phillipines (Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr.)/ Where Do We Go Now?* (Nadine Labaki) *Winner: Cadillac People's Choice Award
TIE: Another tie here for these two fables about very serious topics told with boughts of humour that you have to buy into or the film will not work for you. In the case of Fable of the Fish, a tale about a woman who gives birth to a fish, it's all in the face of actress, Cherry Pie Picache. She has a face that will break your heart. One tear from her and you want to yell at the screen for someone to comfort and support her. In Where Do We Go Now? Muslim and Christian women try various subversive tactics in order to maintain peace among the men by shutting out news of political and religious conflict that surround their isolated village. The tricks the women devise are simply a device for us to consider the debilitating impact of war and what we can do to maintain peace. Both films made my list because they are simple stories about maternal love and community that twenty years from now will still engage audiences.

The Good Son-Finland (Zaida Bergroth) See Review The Last Dogs of Winter-Canada (Costa Botes) See Review
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia-Turkey (Nuri Bilge Ceylan) A Simple Life-Hong Kong (Ann Hui)
For my thoughts on Once Upon a Time in Anatolia click here. As for A Simple Life, Andy Lau was my draw to this film, and I was certainly not disappointed by his performance in this film. Lau stars as Roger, a film director whose aging amah (nanny) has taken ill. In between travelling to film sites, and doing film deals, Roger shows his connection and love for his amah by arranging her care in a nursing home and keeping her involved in his life. I appreciated the way in which director Hui, shows both the class differences and years of family connection between Roger and Ah Tao (Denise Ip) through dialogue and phone calls and visits from Roger's family and friends. The love shines through in this film and it is no wonder that actress Denis Ip won the Best Actress Award at this years' Venice Film Festival for her role as Ah Tao. A gentle and satisfying film with wonderful chemistry between Lau and Ip.

Superclásico-Denmark (Ole Christian Madsen) Click here for review.




WHAT I SAW (*indicates that I have reviewed the film)
Avalon* Winner: The Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for the Discovery programme
Beloved*
Caprichosos de San Telmo
The Cat Vanishes
Coriolanus
Countdown
Cut
Death of a Superhero*
Doppelganger Paul*
The Education of Auma Obama*
Fable of the Fish
The Flying Machine*
A Funny Man
Generation P
The Good Son*
Le Harve*
Hick
Hysteria
I am a good person/I am a bad person*
The Island President*
Juan of the Dead*
The Last Dogs of Winter*
Life Without Principle
Lipstikka*
The Loneliest Planet*
Miss Bala*
My Worst Nightmare
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia*
Page Eight
Paul Williams Still Alive
The Silver Cliff
A Simple Life
Sons of Norway
Summer Game
Superclásico*
Think of Me*
The Turin Horse*
Where Do We Go Now?

Photos Coutesy of: www.tiff.net

TMTM Pals Talk TIFF 11 FAVES

So TIFF 11 has come to an end, and, of course, I have to invite my film friends to join me on The More the Merrier for a discussion of this year's festival. My in studio guests for the hour were Kirk Cooper (Film Market Access), blogger Heidy M (hyemusings, alternavox) and cinefile, Moen Mohamed. Before our discussion got started, Ngardy Conteh joined me via telephone to talk about winning TIFF's Pitch This! competition. Conteh and her co-director, Allan Tong's film, Leone Stars is the first documentary to win the prize in TIFF's Pitch This! eleven year history. Visit http://leonestars.blogspot.com/to find out more about this inspiring work in progress.

Heidy M's Top 5 TIFF FAVES
1.Superclásico
2.Las Acacias
3.Sleepless Night
4.Undefeated
5.The Raid

To read why these are Heidy's faves click here.

I always look forward to seeing Moen Mohamed's list of films. This is vacation time for Moen, who chooses his selections based on his attendance at other film festivals, and what he has read about certain films/directors etc. Other film selections come from the Visions, Masters, and Contemporary World Cinema (Moen loves listening to other languages) programmes . TIFF's motto "for the love of film" describes perfectly, Moen's kid in a candy store enjoyment of TIFF.

Moen M.'s TIFF FAVES
I was very pleased to see that Moen's favourite film was also my selection. If you heard the broadcast then you will remember our expression mutual passion for director, Béla Tarr (left).
A+
1.THE TURIN HORSE

A
2.L’APOLLONIDE (HOUSE OF TOLERANCE)
3.FAUST
4.A SEPARATION
5.DREILEBEN – ONE MINUTE OF DARKNESS
6.THE LONELIEST PLANET
7.PLAY
8.L’HIVER DERNIER
9.ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA
10.THIS IS NOT A FILM
11.DREILEBEN – BEATS BEING DEAD
12.THE SILVER CLIFF
13.CRAZY HORSE
14.LAS ACACIAS
15.SNOWTOWN
16.PEOPLE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE SEA
17.THE RIVER USED TO BE A MAN
18.SWIRL
19.MICHAEL
20.WHORES’ GLORY
21.MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
22.VOLCANO
23.HISTORIAS QUE SO EXISTEM QUANDO LEMBRADAS

B+

24.DREILEBEN – DON’T FOLLOW ME AROUND
25.CENTURY OF BIRTHING
26.ABRIR PUERTAS Y VENTANAS
27.PRÉSUMÉ COUPABLE
28.ELENA
29.LA BRINDILLE
30.BREATHING
31.THE GOOD SON

B
32.GOOD BYE
33.THE YEAR OF THE TIGER
34.PORFIRIO
35.LA FOLIE ALMAYER
36.ISLANDS
37.THE INVADER

B
38.WETLANDS
39.HORS SATAN
40.UN ETE BRULANT


C+
41.THE CAT VANISHES
42.I WISH
43.WUTHERING HEIGHTS
44.INVASION

C
45.THE STONES
46.ALOIS NEBEL
47.LAND OF OBLIVION

C-
48.FUTURE LASTS FOREVER
49.MUSHROOMS
50.BONSAI
51.ALPS
52.LIVID
53.FABLE OF THE FISH
54.LOW LIFE
55.THIS SIDE OF RESURRECTION

BEST ACTOR
PEYMAN MOAADI - A SEPARATION
DANIEL HENSHALL - SNOWTOWN
LUCAS PITTAWAY - SNOWTOWN

BEST ACTRESS
ALESSANDRA NEGRINI - THE SILVER CLIFF
SAREH BAYAT - A SEPARATION
HANI FURSTENBERG – THE LONELIEST PLANET

BEST ENSEMBLE ACTING
A SEPARATION
PLAY
SNOWTOWN

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS
INVASION
ALPS
I WISH

KIRK COOPER'S TIFF
During the broadcast Kirk Cooper talked about the industry side of TIFF, and about the success his Internship and Networking candidates in his Toronto Program (he also has a Cannes Program). (You might remember that Victoria Clowater joined Kirk on TmTm to talk about her expectations about the Toronto Program.) As a busy industry insider Kirk didn't have much time to see films at TIFF 11 (too busy talking film and Cannes 2012), but he did share his picks pre-TIFF a while back. What do you know, several of Kirk's picks made all three of our lists! Click here for Kirk's list.

Photo Credits: http://tiff.net/
Béla Tarr (The Turin Horse)
Dreileben – Don’t Follow Me Around
Good Bye
House of Tollerance
Wetlands

TIFF 11: The Good Son and The Education of Auma Obama

For the last week-end of TIFF many films have gone RUSH, but if you have the patience to stand in line for a ticket check out these films:

THE GOOD SON
In this nuanced Finnish film, Leila, a lead actress and divorced mother of two (Elina Knihtilä), takes off for the country to lie low after bad mouthing her latest film release. There she is joined by a few of her friends and begins a romance with one of their acquaintances. Her eldest son, Ilmari, played with maturity and depth by actor Samuli Niittymäki, is used to being the man of the house, taking care of his self-focused mother and his younger brother. When it appears that Ilmari's position will be usurped by the newcomer in his mother's life, Ilmari takes protecting his mother to the extreme. Leila's behaviour and abusive relationships in the past has marked both her sons: the elder son is a keg of resentment and protectiveness and the younger is constantly left on his own, where he finds solace and comfort in nature (rarely is he seen in the house). The mother-son interplay between actors Elina Knihtilä and Samuli Niittymäki is never over directed by Zaida Bergroth . As for the younger son (Eetu Julin)I particularly appreciated the way in which Bergroth captures his isolation through naturally lit scenes accompanied by the perfect auditory sounds.

SCREENS
Saturday September 17, Scotiabank Theatre 11, 4:15pm

THE EDUCATION OF AUMA OBAMA
If you go see this film because Auma Obama is President Barack Obama's half-sister, then I am sure Auma would not have a problem with your reasoning, especially since she played such an important part in his life. Once in your seat, though, you will realize that there is much more to this woman than being the Barack's sister. Auma is woman who seems compelled to help others, whether she is in Kenya helping to educate and inspire young people to create opportunities for themselves where they live, or in Germany, where, as a student and later a journalist, she opened the eyes and minds of many to rethinking the needs of Africa, and the value of "aid".

Auma, like her brother, is linked to their common ancestral past by values of education and community involvement. The documenting of Auma's life is intercut with scenes of Auma, other relatives, and the neighbourhood getting ready on Election night 2008. Director, Branwen Okpako met Auma at film school in Germany, so there is an ease with how she communicates with Auma and she definitely has the advantage in that she is able to access information about the family--a key point since many African cultures keep family issues extremely private. The Education of Auma Obama is a wonderful revelation to me, and I hope it is for you too.

SCREENS
Sunday September 18, AMC 7, 10:15am


Toronto International Film Festival
Sept. 8-18, 2011
Info: http://tiff.net/thefestival
416-599-8433 or 1-800-599-8433