Tag: Canadiana

Sherman Alexie Heads to Victoria for 3rd Annual F1RST Celebration of Indigenous Film

herman Alexie headlines the third edition of F1RST Celebration of Indigenous Film at The Vic Theatre in Victoria, July 17–19. The festival brings a newly restored print of The Business of Fancydancing alongside a full slate of Indigenous cinema.

F1RST: A Celebration of Indigenous FilmIf you grew up reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or caught Smoke Signals (or its spin-off, made years later, Hey Viktor! featuring Cody Lightning; review link), let’s just say this year’s F1RST Celebration of Indigenous Film is worth checking out, locals and tourists to Victoria, BC alike.

Now in its third year, this event is bringing Sherman Alexie to The Vic Theatre. The writer behind some of the most recognized Indigenous storytelling in contemporary literature and film is headlining this edition, and the centerpiece is a newly restored print of The Business of Fancydancing, the film he wrote and directed, followed by a post-screening Q&A. He’ll also sit down with actor and physician Evan Adams (Smoke Signals, Bones of Crows) for a featured conversation on acting, writing, and directing.

From the Press Release:

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Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie: No, This Film Is Not About Teen Spirit

Time-hopping musicians, a DeLorean-style RV, and a desperate quest for a discontinued drink fuel this proudly Canadian mockumentary. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie thrives on balancing between nostalgia and improvisation to make it a must-see.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the MovieElevation Pictures

Once a certain word drops in any summary about where the time travel device is housed in
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, this film instantly reveals itself as the perfect tribute to an old pop sound. Part The Beatles, part loving nod to a certain Robert Zemeckis classic from decades past, there’s a lot to like.

If you don’t want to know too much, here’s the abridged take: This Canadian mockumentary, directed by Matt Johnson,
delivers plenty of fun-filled moments and wears its cinematic tribute proudly. The script was co-written by Jay McCarrol, and together they play fictionalized versions of themselves as two musicians trying to land a bar gig despite never having recorded anything together. It’s a concept fuelled by nostalgia and awkward, self-aware laughs.

Rather than riffing on The Blues Brothers, what’s presented here is Canadiana through and through. Shot around Toronto, Ontario, the locations are real, the energy is grounded, and the familiarity adds to the charm. It is best not to know more before the spoiler wall, so consider this your courteous pause point.

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The Raccoons: Canada’s Evergreen Anniversary!

Celebrate 40 years of The Raccoons! Relive Evergreen Forest adventures with Bert, Melissa, and Cyril Sneer in this Canadian animation classic. We for a bit of info on what’s happening Canada-wide.

The Racoon's PosterBefore the age of streaming and endless animated options, Canadian viewers were treated to a forest full of heart, humour, and environmental messages in The Raccoons. Created by Kevin Gillis, the series began with four television specials in 1980 before blossoming into a full series that aired from 1985 to 1991. This iconic piece of Canadiana was a trailblazer, since few animated series were made in the country back then. I even tuned in to see what Bert, Ralph, and Melissa were up to—their adventures were wholesome family fun.

Set in the picturesque Evergreen Forest, The Raccoons blended adventure, comedy, and a touch of drama, making it stand out in the landscape of 80s animation.

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Deaner ’89. Even Back Then, All That Canadiana Is Explosive and Wants to Rock n’ Roll All Nite!

Vanity project or not, Paul Spence loves being Murdoch, and Deaner ’89 is a look back at his heavy metal roots while being in-character!

Deaner '89 Movie PosterEagle Vision, PSA Productions
and Mongrel Media
VOD Release Date: Dec 6

Deaner ’89 is not part of the Fubar continuity and fans of the latter shouldn’t be disappointed. Maybe that’s how Dean Murdoch (played by Paul Spence, who wrote this film) simply remembers it! After guzzling so many beers and head banging for so long, my theory for keeping this work apart from the rest is because it’s all imagined in this guy’s head while in a coma.

And technically, without that cameo by Terry Cahill (Dave Lawrence) to connect with that world, this film truly exists in its own universe. It also interestingly tackles a much more difficult subject–cultural misappropriation. Despite the theme being only lightly explored, the father’s revelation, humorously played by Will Sasso, makes a significant point. Also, without Stephen McHattie, a beloved icon of Canadian cinema, no such film can be complete!

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Drinkwater is Rich with Lots of John Hughes style References

The bonus reel showing how the rivalries developed between Drinkwater and Ryan family is worth sticking to watch till the end.

drinkwaterOct 21, The Vic Theatre (808 Douglas St)
Oct 25, Cineplex International Village (88 W Pender St)

Mike Drinkwater (Daniel Doheny) fails at everything he does, and the only person Wallace (Louriza Tronco) trying to encourage him to do better, he’s completely oblivious to. This coming of age comedy, appropriately titled Drinkwater, is very adorable. It may well stem from how this surname developed, where “a pauper is said to be unable to afford beer.”

In this film’s case, it’s about how Mike can find a way to be able to afford post-secondary. This plot is important since he feels uncertain about the road ahead as he finishes high school. The last year is often tough, since each youth has to decide on what his next step is. Is it to live out the dreams of what their parents set out for, like Luke Ryan (Jordan Burtchett), or to do something else? Although they aren’t immediate rivals, it’s easy to see they both have daddy issues.

But there’s more to this story than just how two generations can deal with life in a quiet town. Not only was this film made in the backyard world of Penticton, British Columbia but also there’s a 80s nostalgic connection with the music used. As the action builds, we hear tracks from Doug and the Slugs, Men Without Hats and Loverboy. Regarding what got me hooked is with how ‘in the zone’ the tune selection is. I loved how Corey Hart‘s “Never Surrender” helps wrap this tale up.

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History & The Pulps are Featured in War Bears, A Comic Book Review!

War BearsBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Released Sept 05, 2018

With two incredible Canadian talents, Margaret Atwood and Ken Steacy, get together to create a comic book, the industry better pay attention. Published by Dark Horse Comics, War Bears offers two well-meaning stories than one; the main narrative sees Alain Zurakowski as a struggling artist in an era where life is a struggle. The early 20th century was tough for many; not only did a world have to deal with and recover from two World Wars, but also the Depression made getting employed tough. In a dog eat dog world of 1943, this young man manages to get a job at a Toronto-based comic book company (not New York, where the action was at) and has to deal with ornery coworkers. One particular individual steals this kid’s ideas, and the conflict may well run deeper in later issues.

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