The National Film Board of Canada always has a delightful range of films that’s set to debut at one film festival or another. And in Victoria, BC, this homegrown event will feature eight produced (or co-produced) TheNFB pieces featuring the work of talents who know what living in this country means. High on the list is Incandescence, a documentary by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper whose last work, Metamorphosis, was a potential game-changer. I interviewed them about why this work matters not only on a grander scale but also in what humanity can do to save the environment.
Flash forward to now, those themes they’ve explored back then get revisited again in their latest. This time, the topic concerns wildfires and how they affect forested communities. What viewers should takeaway afterwards is how tragedy can bring some people together, but also bring about change.
Whether these accept the problems that can arise while living in the boonies, some folks are up to it and others not. This work delicately examines the pros and cons, and also considers the life cycle that occurs following the death of a forest and the renewal process afterwards. It’s a work that’ll get people talking. The footage used ranges from seeing how some fires can get out of control to showing how people feel about the attempts to save homes. It’s quite vivid, and I’d be scared too if I were a volunteer firefighter!
Continue reading “TheNFB at Victoria Film Festival 2025, Incandescence Review & Much More!”
Shout! Studios and Shout! Kids
Instead of looking at the animated movies coming to cinemas, what I offer is a list of works expected to be released this year from abroad and in America. There are some wonderful works that should be great, and the big question will concern whether the two major distributors, GKIDS or Well GO USA, will pick them up. They’re still working through last year’s catalogue of releases. Trailers are provided where possible:
To make a list of top 10 films being released this year for the masses that are must-sees isn’t too tough, but when I want to know what’s being released abroad, to decide on what stands out, that’s harder! There are non-blockbuster movies that have caught my attention. When they don’t get the love they so deserve, I can say confidently that my list differs from others.
When Luc Besson announced he will make his own adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, just what he will do is anybody’s guess. This filmmaker is best known for The Fifth Element and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.