Just as unecessary as the word "coprolite"

The name just sounds pretentious. Teetotalism. Or something out of a child's fairy tale. I haven't completely decided yet.
Teetotaler.
Tee hee hee.

Marvelous metros

I love this.
I've traveled on a couple of them and been to some of the stations mentioned. They really are fantastic.
And they made the TTC's Museum Station look and sound a lot cooler than I think it actually is. I really don't think that I'm being overly critical of the station. In fact, I'd prefer other museum stations to ours in Toronto (even the simple Louvre-Rivoli in Paris, for example).
I guess they also wanted to try to get a variety. The stations in St. Petersburg were pretty incredible as well, but similar in style to the ones in Moscow.

Definitely a city girl

I had forgotten how, err, small Fredericton was. I mean, it's cute. Some sweet houses, and nice walking/biking paths and space by the river...but man, super small. The place is dead after 5 or 6pm.
AND I neglected to think about the fact that Fredericton is not a coast town when I was desperate for my lobster dinner. I got a wee bite of lobster, but definitely not enough to come close to satisfying my craving. I did get to eat fiddleheads, so I guess that's some sort of consolation.
UNB/STU is as lovely as I remember. Very lovely. It's on a hill, so it's great for the legs, and great for views of the town and river below. The buildings on campus are beautiful as well. I don't think I've been on a university campus I didn't like. In fact, when I travel, I try to find the local university campus, because I know that I'll probably enjoy it.
I've had some interesting thoughts and experiences these past few days. Relating to my career, my identity/tendencies...lots of self-reflection kind of moments. There were a couple things that this trip has confirmed, both professionally and personally.
I've been proud at my conscious effort to chat with strangers. It doesn't come naturally, I'm quite awkward and uncomfortable with meeting new people, but it's something that I'm working on. I've tried to 'become that person'. I don't know how to describe it. It's not that I'm 'acting' per se, but I become that 'meeting-new-people' person. Sometimes I can just become that person and it just flows really well, but other times it's really crippling how nervous and shy I get.
Also, I've enjoyed hearing French. And speaking it too. I floored someone at the airport by being able to chat with them in French. And then eavesdropping on other people's conversations and not having any problem understanding their entire conversation (yeah me!). And then some folks having a random conversation around me, and all of a sudden me just jumping right now. And I love surprising people with my French skills. It's nice to be able to pull it out of my back pocket. People really don't expect it.
I am a woman of many talents!
Okay enough rambling. I think I'm just getting nervous about my last presentation tomorrow. And then it's back to the real world. Once I get back, I guess I'll find out if this was enough of a getaway to last until July.

Glad to be packing

I'm heading out East for a couple of days. It'll be the first time on a plane since the beginning of February and the first time out of the province since last August. How depressing.
I guess it really was this time last year that I got my last (working) vacation. Yes, this trip and last year's trips weren't complete holidays. I do/did have some work to do while enjoying my surroundings.
It's been hard for me not to travel as much as I used to. I'm lucky in that I have hobbies that allow for me to go to other cities/towns and to stay in hotels and stuff (I've always loved staying in hotels) but these events are always long hours and definitely no sightseeing. Sure, I get to do what I love and hang out with friends, but it is exhausting and definitely not a vacation.
I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'm feeling a little sluggish and unfortunately, I've caught something in these past couple of days, so while I might not be 100%, I think this trip will help me get there. Or at least closer to it. I'm hoping the ocean air will rejuvenate me. Or at least the copious amounts of lobster that I'm planning on eating will.
I've only been to the east coast once before, and I'll be going back to where I was all of those years ago. I think that will be nice in itself. Of course I'd like to see other parts of the Maritimes, but that will have to wait for another day.
I've been feeling the intense need to just pick up and take a couple days to be a tourist, but knowing that this trip was coming and that a bigger (and ultimately more expensive) trip is on the horizon (EUROPE!!!), I just couldn't get the courage to take off (although Porter makes it very tempting). I just thought that I needed to keep my priorities in check so knowing that I had two working trips coming up has kept me in the city.
Anyway, I do miss vacations. A lot.
But I'm looking forward to this trip. I know it will be exactly what I've needed.

Laura Secord

I'm eating Laura Secord boxed chocolates for the first time in a long time. I think since university (round 1) or even earlier. These chocolates were the things that I used to be so excited for. It was the gourmet version of Pot of Gold, or so I thought. I loved going through the cheat sheet and picking out my favorites to eat. My mom and I loved the French Crisp ones (second from the bottom on the left side).
Anyway, obviously things change. Tastes evolve and ummm, well, these chocolates aren't as tasty as I remember.
Maybe the quality of their chocolate has gone downhill since I was a kid...but maybe not.
Maybe I should just keep my warm fuzzy memories in tact and not eat many more of these in the future.
I will still give their ice cream a chance though. Superkid FTW!

Wodka

I walked by the LCBO today and noticed bottles labelled Wodka in the window. I had to laugh. It reminded me of a student that was convinced that stores were all selling this cheaper, knock-off version of vodka. We were in Poland.
I have the best profession.

Bill Cunningham New York

It's been a long time since I've paid money to see a movie in the theatre. I don't really know why. I think I just had other better things to do. Nonetheless, when I heard that Bill Cunningham New York was in town, I was pretty quick to go watch it.
Bill Cunningham is a fashion photographer for the New York Times and is probably best known for his street style approach. He does make the rounds to the runway shows and to benefit/gala/soiree-type of events as well, but I think it's the street style in which he's made his mark.
Not really knowing much about the person, the lure of the documentary was fashion. It was akin to my desire to watch The September Issue to ogle as the fashion within the film.
Although fashion was a component of the film, Bill Cunningham New York was really about Bill. From the movie, I was able to get a sense of his artist's statement, his history, his life and his passion. While I was able to learn about photography and fashion as a result of the investigation about the person, the point of the film really was Bill.
For the fashion and street style of it, it was neat to hear about his process. His keen eye. His patience. The movie made me want to try something. One day, I want to sit somewhere for 30 minutes to an hour and just watch the world go by. I want to just try to notice things. And take pictures. And see what I come up with. I think I might stay at the same location. To really see/feel what's going on.
I'm intrigued his lifestyle. I could see some people feeling sorry for him, and maybe there's something within him that wishes his life turned out differently - I can't really tell, because he does seem to be quite candid, but at the same time, people can be quite good at not revealing their true feelings about certain topics. He seems to have a wonderful sense of humour. And a very child-like quality about him. I think it's his smile, spirit, and constant sense of joy that makes me feel that way about him.
There are many things that Bill said in the film that I can relate to or that I sometimes feel. It was interesting to hear someone else say it out loud. Recently, someone commented (or maybe inquired, I don't remember) on my seemingly high comfort level at doing things solo. Anyway, I've been thinking about that person's comment a lot. Probably too much.
It's true, I enjoy being on my own. This is not to say that I don't like being social and doing things with other people, but I am equally comfortable doing things alone. There are certain things that I like to do with other people and at certain times I prefer to be with other people, but there are also certain things that I like to do by myself and at certain times I prefer to be by myself. Sometimes I need alone time. I don't know if I've always been that way, or it's a comfort level that I've developed over time, but it struck me as odd when the comment was said. Maybe not odd, but surprising. Like it was impressive somehow. While it's nice to share moments and experiences with others, if you're having such a great time in life, the joys that you get out of life are sometimes enough. And sometimes although I'm not directly sharing those moments with someone I know, I know the people around me, albeit strangers, are having such a wonderful time that even if I never discuss it with them, it's like this unspoken bond that's there. That I know that someone else in the universe is loving life as much as I am, so it's not a lonely feeling. Or that I'm having such a great time that I don't notice that there's no one to share it with. That happiness is so vast that it's all I can think about. And I'm just so happy that I'm able to experience it. Sometimes it doesn't even cross my mind that I'm by myself. And I'm happy that I'm doing what I want to be doing and what I love. It's hard to explain. All I know is that it works for me.
My train of thought is now going towards what society thinks, but I never really wanted this blog to be a space where I 'go there'. I'm quite happy just reflecting and re-reflecting about those issues and so much more in my head or maybe on a piece of paper.
And it's not like I'm comfortable being by myself in all situations. There are certain things that I loathe. But the thing is, I am actively trying to get over those fears. Well, that's exactly it, you spend your whole life in your skin. You have to be comfortable with you. It should be normal to do things just with you. But you should be able to do things in any situation. By yourself or with others. Forget it, I need to get back on track.
I think the initial point to my ramble was to really say that I think Bill is doing what he loves. There are a couple moments in the film that the audience can potentially start to feel sorry for him, but I can't think of a person that doesn't have something in their life that makes us pause or potentially pass judgement. Bill seems to lead a very simple life (sort of related - the part about the history of the Carnegie Hall studios was fascinating), and he does seem to love his life (I really hope so - and because of the way society is, my judgement is too skewed to tell, and of course you can never really tell from just a film). And the fact that really doesn't seem to realize how big of deal he is. Moments in the film, a film that's supposed to be able him, it's like he trying to turn the filmmakers' attention to other things. Other people. To make the film more about the world of fashion. Or the world of NY. Even the little bits where he's interacting with the filmmakers. And responding to the fact that he's the subject of a film. It's wonderful.
Anyway, I think he's inspiring a lot of people along the way. I can only hope that I have that same affect on others within my lifetime.
Clearly, I thought it was an amazing film. Don't watch it to learn about fashion or photography or NY or all of those other things, watch it because it's a wonderful character piece and he seems like a wonderful fellow. He makes for a very compelling subject.

- picture courtesy of www.zeitgeistfilms.com/billcunninghamnewyork

Dance Your Ph.D.

I thought I had posted about the Dance Your Ph.D. contest, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe it was just an e-mail conversation that I had with a friend about it. Anyway, I was reminded of this today, so I felt like I had to share.
The premise is pretty self-explanatory...and amazing.
I only watched a couple of the entries from the 2010 contest because I found them kinda boring. I don't want some dance with deeper meaning that I can't figure out. I don't want to have to read the explanation. I want to watch the video and understand. Even if it is in a field that I don't know much about.
I think the winner did a great job of that. It's cute, literal, and makes it obvious what the heck is going on. The best part is that members of her lab were the dancers. Sure, she had some dance training, but it wasn't like the entire cast had taken dance classes before. At least, they looked like they hadn't.
It showed that they were willing to have a good time, not take themselves too seriously and help out a fellow labmate. I'm fond of the guy doing Thriller in the background. Too bad that the Thriller DNA wasn't able to interact (err, match the calibre of the dancing) with the target.
I'm not creative enough to come up with a dance for my own dissertation, but I'd love to be part of someone else's entry!

Zuca bags

I've seen two people in non-skating situations wheeling Zuca bags around downtown. Are these bags actually known outside of the skating world?
I still don't see the big deal. Who cares if they're stackable, have a frame so tha tyou can sit on them, and have wheels that light up. They're still weird looking.

Jane's Walk

Last weekend was the annual Jane's Walk event. I don't know why I'd never heard of it before, but now that I know about it, it'll be something that I will definitely schedule in each year.
So, for the weekend of May 7th and 8th, there were hundreds of walking tours going on around the city. And not just downtown, but in the suburbs as well. There were historical walks, cultural walks, community walks...the variety was incredible.
As my weekend was pretty booked up with Hot Docs films and other commitments, I only managed to get to one walk this year.
I decided to pick the Graffiti in Toronto walk because the location and time was convenient and I was interested to learn more about graffiti. You see random scrawling on walls when you're a kid, and in adolescence, each time I took the RT, I enjoyed looking at the work between Lawrence East and Kennedy stations.
I wasn't sure how many folks would show up to such a walk. Apparently over 75! I know that some other walks were not well attended, but to show up to my first walk and have this many people also waiting around on a street corner for something official to begin was pretty amazing.
I also didn't really know what kind of person would be interested in these walks. Turns out, everyone! We had tots in strollers and on scooters all the way to more mature folks with canes or in wheelchairs.
Our two hour walk was lead by the folks at Tour Guys and although it wasn't a super in-depth look at graffiti in the city, it was a good introduction. I guess for an event such as this, you can't go too intense. And also with a group this large. The guide wanted the tour to be as interactive as possible, which probably also helped him to gauge the knowledge/interest level of his massive audience.
For me, not really knowing anything about graffiti, it was a perfect tour. I learned about tags, throw-ups and pieces and can even identify a couple artists in the city. Some standouts include Uber5000 (look for yellow birdies having a grand 'ole time! ) and Elicser (of the HUG Me tree fame - FYI, HUG is a crew, not an action...but many people do hug the tree and have stories to share about the tree).
We mainly walked down Graffiti Alley which is just south of Queen Street West, for the most part between Spadina Avenue and Portland Street (but there are sections that span outside of that area). Stopped to look at a couple pieces and discuss basics and issues surrounding graffiti and then continued to walk and just enjoy what surrounded us.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed myself and not only will I pay more attention to the graffiti around the city and sometimes even change my path to see some, but definitely make room for more walking tours in the future!

Hot Docs 2011 recap

So, all in all, my Hot Docs 2011 experience was very successful. I attended 12 screenings (and only didn't get into one - well, there was a second one, but I didn't get there until after it had started) and enjoyed all of the movies that I watched.

1. POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
2. Jig
3. Boy Cheerleaders
4. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop
5. Love Arranged
6. Becoming Santa
7. People in White
8. The Hollywood Complex
9. El Sicario, Room 164
10. Family Portrait in Black and White (screened with Hand to Toe: An Exploration in the Art of Giving)
11. The Interrupters
12. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey

There were a couple more that I had really wanted to see, but maybe they'll get released in theatres, or I'll have a chance to see them at another festival or venue.

As per usual, all of the Hot Docs folks were fantastic and it was nice to meet some people while waiting in those rush lines or even in the theatre as we waited for the screenings to start.

Can't wait for the next film festival!

Watermelon

Watermelon = sun and summer. Straight up.
I'm eating watermelon right now and it's fabulous.
Gross - I just looked at the weather report...we're in for a bunch of days of rain.

Ah, the internet

A couple of my posts have gone missing as a result of maintenance on the Blogger website. It's kinda stressing me out.
I only realized that they were missing when I was looking to create a HotDocs recap post and couldn't find all of the posts that I had done for the movies that I'd watched. I looked around on a couple blogger site and stumbled upon a forum where people also shared that they were missing posts. One commenter made a remark about how that's the risk we take as bloggers and users of the internet, which is completely right.
I think so at least, I mean, I'm not a tech person, but I imagine that to be the case. For example, there are a bunch of e-mails from high school and early university years that I presume are forever lost because I was using a web-based e-mail address that just disappeared after awhile. Come to think of it, I'm using a web-based e-mail address for most of my correspondence now. Uh oh.
But I'm such a pack rat that I don't like the fact that my posts/e-mails can just disappear at a moments notice. I like going back and looking at posts/e-mails. Sometimes I find information that I need for them, other times it's just for nostalgia.
To solve the blog issue, I could write in a journal. I do every so often, and I usually write things there that I wouldn't feel comfortable writing online. I just like this blog as a way to practice writing, expressing thoughts, chronicling events and other schenanigans. It's been a crude version of twitter as times. I have shared some pictures as well on my blog.
At one point, I was considering printing out my blog and creating a hard copy of it so that in case it got lost, or when I decided to stop blogging, I would still have a record of it. That's actually the reason why I haven't changes my profile write-up. I was going to use this one for the time that it relates to, and then change it to a current profile and the one that I've been living out for the past almost-four years.
The blog has been fun. I've learned a very minimal number of html codes (better than nothing) and I know that it doesn't have a big readership, but that was never my main goal for it. Yes, I did want friends and family to read about some of my adventures when I lived in Europe, but of course that purpose is obsolete and while at the beginning it really was me trying to share my thoughts and experiences with the readers, the more I think of it, the more I realize that this blog is very much for me.
I am learning a lot from this blog. From my interests, to my habits, emotions, preferences, -isms, and so much more. Many posts may be dry and telling about what I did on whatever-trip, or what I thought about whatever-movie/restaurant/book/etc. but there is a deeper discovery that I've made through thinking about, composing, reading, and re-reading these posts.
So, while I had initially wanted to just comment on hoping that those couple posts come back soon, it's turned into a rambled dialogue of sorts.
And that's taught me something too. I love (self-)reflection.

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey (official website here) is a film about puppeteer Kevin Clash. Among other characters, Kevin is the voice and physical presence behind Elmo.
The film follows typical big-budget documentary protocol: background, character profile, inspirations, breakthroughs, interviews with various family members, friends, other constituents and a cameo or two (Whoopi!) the continued journey and the beginning of a new cycle with how Kevin's giving back and inspiring the next generation.
Of course the story was great, but I really liked learning about the art of puppetry. I really liked watching Kevin practice and coach other puppeteers. It's also interesting to watch how he 'creates' a character. And I'm not just talking about the part with needle and thread. The little nuances are amazing. Even watching them together on-stage for interviews or appearances...it really in like Elmo (or whatever character he's portraying) is alive. When all the attention is on the puppet, the attention really is on him/her/it. Kevin's focus is right there, his emotion is right there. Or focused on who the puppet is interacting with. And then the moments when Kevin and the puppet are interacting with one another. That's amazing too. It's so natural. And then when Kevin's in the spotlight, for example when Kevin's being asked a question in an interview, you can see that Elmo (or whoever) turns his attention to Kevin and listens as the audience does. Or even when Elmo's taking a break and not being manipulated as Kevin responds, I don't know if it's intentional or not, but Elmo just happens to look like he's sitting casually with his head leaning fondly on Kevin's chest or with his head cocked up so that he's looking in Kevin's direction. That interaction is amazing.
I had desperately hoped that there would be a Q&A for this film. Who doesn't love Elmo and how could you not be in awe of Kevin's talent and story? I watched a couple videos on the film's website and they are so wonderful. I wanted to see Elmo get tickled in person. Or give some sort of witty response to a question from the audience. Oh well, can't have them all.
It was a great film, again, because of the subject matter. I am, however, holding this film to higher standards. As a big budget film, I just expect more for some reason. Is that unfair? I mean, the film is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, so it kinds of sets it apart from many of the other films that are at Hot Docs. The amount of archive footage that was available and included was incredible. I'm glad it was included because it enriched the film, but again, different category. So that being said, it was a good film, but not amazing. It's an amazing story and they were able to express that in the film, but the subject matter is amazing on its own so I don't think that they needed a lot of help there.

- picture courtesy of www.beingelmo.com

The Interrupters

The Interrupters (official website here) is a film about three "violence interrupters" working with the CeaseFire organization in Chicago. Each of the interrupters have street credibility as a result of their life experiences.
Given the subject matter, I was pretty amazed at how much of an inside look we got into the world. There were a couple choice shots where faces weren't in the screen, or other images were fuzzed out...but we did see violence, we saw tense moments and we saw confrontations.
In the Q&A with director, Steve James, we also found out that there were many more scenes that couldn't be included in the film. That the crew were asked to step back from certain moments during shooting based on the situation. I do wonder if their presence did help in certain situations. Steve seemed to say no, because the characters are so emotionally involved with whatever they're doing that they basically forget about the crew.
I was absolutely mesmerized by the interrupters ability to communicate with members of their community. The way that they were able to use verbal and physical language was incredible. I was amazed by their courage and strength.
This documentary clearly focused on a couple positive/success stories that the interrupters were involved with. Sure, each story did have challenges and those involved still have their issues that they need to battle, but holistically, I believe them to be success stories. I was wondering if telling these specific stories provides a well-rounded and complete picture of the work that they do, but with a subject matter such as this, it seems obvious that the work they do is challenging so for something like this, what's the point on dwelling on the negative stuff? Might as well focus on the great stuff they do and look at the optimistic components of their work.
So, did I like this film? Yes. Most likely because of the content and the characters/stories that they decided to follow. Each are compelling (the interrupters and the folks that they work with) and great to watch. There are so many issues that are raised and of course it really tugged on my educator/mentoring heartstrings.

Mental note: I need to watch Hoop Dreams.

- picture courtesy of www.interrupters.kartemquin.com

Hand to Toe: An Exploration in the Art of Giving

Hand to Toe: An Exploration in the Art of Giving was a short film screened with Family Portrait in Black and White. From the Hot Docs website:
Once a week, Yellowknife’s Salvation Army transforms itself into a makeshift spa, offering pedicures, wool socks and a kind touch to those most in need. As neglected feet are cleaned, massaged and cared for, a greater connection is explored in this empathetic film celebrating the virtues of compassion.
I thought that this was great. Most of the shorts that I've seen are just artsy, kind of weird things that I don't really get - in fact, there was another one that I saw during the festival that I've completely forgotten about and didn't bother writing up. In general anything that somehow gets me emotionally, I tend to gravitate towards. Short film or not. Anything that involves compassion is a quick way to win my vote.
Although the synopsis of the film uses the term "spa", and describes features that could be seen as indulgent, I wonder if there's any parallel to foot washing traditions in religion contexts. As the Salvation Army is a Christian organization, it wouldn't be surprising.
Regardless, I really did just see it as a chance for those who use the facilities to have a moment of pampering. A moment that most of these people enjoy and deservedly so. A simple joy that doesn't take much time or effort but goes a long way.
I love the idea of it and I love the film itself. While you're able to eavesdrop of some conversations, the film is almost entirely comprised of feet. Worn-out and tired feet enjoying the moment. It's amazing because although they say the eyes are the windows to the soul, I felt like I could read a lot just from watching these feet. I got a sense of the history of these people. I got a sense of the weight that the feet have been carrying. I could see the feet exhaling.
I always have ideas for little things that I want to to make a difference. I do something different each year. I hope I don't forget about and have the courage to follow through with my most recent one.

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

Glee's still got it

Rebecca Black's 'Friday' song has made the rounds. I'm not going to bother linking to a video or anything.
I think it's hilarious that everyone's so fanatical about this video/song. People are spazzing out about it. I guess I'm contributing to it by writing about it too.
It's not like it's my favorite song, but I don't think any negative thoughts towards it because look at how big it's gotten (for various reasons).
Anyway, I've said before that I enjoy the fact that Glee doesn't take itself too seriously. I think their inclusion of 'Friday' was very savvy of them and their rendition was great.
I'm still confused as to how long this show will be able to run and maintain its novelty (I'd be surprised if anyone's watching the show for the plotlines and investment in the characters) but in the meantime, it's pretty amazing.

Family Portrait in Black and White

Family Portrait in Black and White (official website here) was my favorite movie of Hot Docs.
While all movies that I watched were good and fulfilled my interpretation of what a documentary should do (investigate/shed light on a specific subject matter), some were what I've been calling surface-level films where they just kind of show what's going on but don't somehow have an extra oomph to them. Now, I could just be seeing them as 'good, but generic' because of the amount of knowledge I already have about the subject matter, but I think it has more to do with the emotional involvement, cinematic prowess or the film's ability to have me keep thinking about what's going on in the movie. Like most people, I like watching shows/films/productions that have a clearly organized resolution at the end so that you walk out feeling a sense of closure, but this film didn't give this and that's precisely why I enjoyed it so much.
I think the Hot Docs' synopsis is a good one:
It can be dangerous to be black in post-Soviet era Ukraine, a country peopled by 99.9% blue-eyed blonds. Olga Nenya faces down age-old xenophobia as she fosters 23 abandoned children along with her own, including 16 bi-racial orphans, in a ramshackle house in a small Ukrainian town. At first their lives seem like an idyllic United Colors of Benetton ad: love and affection from Olga, swimming trips to the lake, playing with chickens, goats and cats, going to school and doing chores in the garden and house. But as the film progresses over three years, a more layered and psychologically disturbing portrait emerges. Olga plays favourites and picks on kids who contradict her, and strict Soviet-era ideas about child rearing stymie their opportunities and abilities. Fresh from its Sundance premiere, Julia Ivanova brings festival audiences a rich observational portrait of a woman who wants to save the children from an unjust world—her way.
As they say, everything seems very sunshine and rainbows as Ms. Nenya takes in these orphans that need a loving home, but as the film continues you really see that there's more to it. Some good, some questionable, it's hard to determine where you stand with her decisions and the situation as a whole when the foundation of it all is love and good intentions.
We watch the family members interact, we see how they are perceived in their community, we are given a context for the world the live in, we hear from the mother and many of the children. We hear about hopes and dreams for the future.
Julia Ivanova (director) and Boris Ivanov (producer) were in attendance for this Canadian premiere. I'm so glad that there was a Q&A for the film and wish that it could have gone on longer. It allowed me to realize that I wasn't the only one who had confused thoughts...from audience members to even the filmmakers themselves. Julia shared that she was inspired to make this film after reading about the family in a newspaper article (a lot of the films that I watched were inspired by a newspaper article) and they were shooting, she slowly uncovered that the story was more complex than she had thought it would be. As a result, she felt like she was creating a film to try to better understand the family and a way for her to sort through the mixed emotions that she had towards Ms. Nenya. I can't figure out what made it so powerful, but yeah, it was good. I think it was the way that the film flowed. Setting the context, showing the good, getting you hooked, and then blam-o! Something to throw you off. Even her conscious decision of the final message of the film by her choice for the final storyline was well done.
When asked if the family had seen the film, I was a little taken aback by the response. Julia said no, but she does plan to show the film to them in the near future. Only, it will be a different version. She intends to have a different cut where certain interviews and implications are left out. Ones that may show Ms. Nenya in a negative light. She doesn't want there to be any negative ramifications towards the children as a result of watching the film. She was a little concerned that the version that the public sees will get to the family. Well, specifically, Ms. Nenya.
I usually only reflect on the content of films and sometimes will take notice of the production itself, but this information reminded me of issues surrounding the medium and art-form itself. Is the purpose of documentaries to shed light on a topic? To give a complete picture rather than tell a story through a specific lens? How much influence does/should the filmmaker have on the subject itself? Does the fact that the film was made change the natural path of the subject? What are the ethical/moral implications of filmmakers as they make their film? Serious stuff.
Anyway, if it wasn't obviously, I would highly recommend this film.

- picture courtesy of www.familyportraitthefilm.com

El Sicario, Room 164

El Sicario, Room 164 is a film about a former hitman. Based on an article from Harper's written by Charles Bowden (if you have a subscription, chick here...if not, click here) the film was basically an interview with the man. I really liked the added touch of the notebook and marker that he used to illustrate and emphasize points. Most of the film took place in a motel room where the sicario did some of his work. To break up interview and transition between stories, there were moments of black and silence or simple shots of Mexican life.
We learned about the cartel, how they work, who they recruit, Mexico and the corruption, sicarios and their trade. It was both intriguing and horrifying at the same time.
This one would have been really cool to have a Q&A. To find out logistics of making the film. To find out what became of the notebook. Ah well. I always wonder if there's a way to find out which screenings are scheduled to have a representative from the film present. I guess premieres have a higher chance of having someone in attendance.
I thought this film was great because of the content. As I said, it was fascinating learning about something that you're really not supposed to know about. From first-hand experience. And again, the notebook thing was really cool too. He used it very effectively. I was thrown off by the sicario's final saving grace. I didn't read the Harper's article before watching the movie, so I wasn't expecting it.

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

The Hollywood Complex

The Hollywood Complex (official website here) is a film about the yearly migration of children and their families to Hollywood for pilot season.
I thought that it would be a film about over-crazed parents really pushing their children to succeed, but it was quite the opposite. Sure, it's a bizarre world, but the stories that were told showed that it is the children who are driven to land that big (or not so big) role. The families that surround the children are very supportive. Some are sweet, caring parents just trying to learn the ropes (and sometimes getting conned in the process), others are a little overzealous in their attempts to help their child reach their goal.
Directors Dan Sturman and Dylan Nelson were available for a Q&A and gave an update of one of the more memorable children from the film. Actually, the final credits does a great job of letting audience members know where the children are at now. The film had just been completed a couple days before the festival so the updates were pretty, well, up-to-date.
I thought the film was just okay. The families that were followed were interesting and gave the audience a good variety of experiences. The film also let us into the world of pilot season, the sometime sketchy world of showbiz and the famous Oakwood Apartments and the many services that they offer to their tenants. I did enjoy it but it wasn't anything more impressive than many other films that I've seen.

- picture courtesy of www.thehollywoodcomplex.com

People in White

People in White was the most artsy films that I watched during the festival. I missed the director's introduction of the film, which could have potentially helped better prepare me for the film that I was about to watch. It's not that the premise was difficult to understand, it was just the style and pacing that was different from typical documentaries that kind of made me confused. It was almost feature film-esque in its approach.
So, the director wanted to hear from clients of mental health care facilities about their experiences. And of course, given the topic it was a little heavy. And of course, keep in mind that basically all of the films that I'd seen in the festival so far were comedies and/or uplifting.
The film was a series of vignettes acting out memories of the patients, interspersed with them sitting in a circle (like they were sitting in a circle sharing their memories) starting and ending the narrations of their memories. The vignettes were acted out in a mental health care facility and the sharing sessions took place there as well.
My biggest confusion was who was playing what role. Some vignettes seemed to have another participant acting out the narrator's experiences as the patient him/herself and then the narrator would act out the role of the mental health care worker. Other times, it was two participants that would act out the scene and then the narrator would be separate. At the beginning, you're not introduced to who's who in the film, so I wasn't actually sure if maybe it was the filmmakers who were playing the mental health care professionals and the participants were acting our their own memories. And there were moments that different professionals would do mini-soliloquies. So I was confused.
The end credits are great though. I don't want to tell you about them, because I'm hoping that you'll watch the film.
I think the premise of the film was interesting, but I have to say that I didn't learn much from the film. Usually, I think of documentaries as educational films of sorts and this one really just seemed like a feature film version of true story. Does that even make sense?
I think the film was a little too bizarre for me. It was cool to see and I don't regret watching it, but I don't think that it's my favorite movie of all time.

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

Darn it!

Hot Docs released its People's Choice Award top ten and the winner was the movie that I wanted to see the most, but didn't get a chance to see due to conflicts with prior commitments.
Darn it, darn it, darn it!
Still, I can't really complain. I ended up seeing 12 films for free (unless you count the cab ride to one of the screenings). I don't think any of the films that I saw were misses. All of them were pretty great, actually.
I've written about a couple of them, but hopefully in the next little while, I'll get around to the rest of them.
My favorite of the lot (which I haven't written about yet) was Family Portrait in Black and White, which also won an award.

Becoming Santa

Becoming Santa is definitely a feel-good movie. Winner of the Audience Award from this year's South by Southwest film festival, the documentary stars Jack Sanderson and follows his preparations to become Santa Claus for the first time. The film not only shows him getting fitted for a custom Santa suit, going to Santa school, meeting happy and not-so-happy children, and being the guest of honour at a parade but also introduces us to many different Santas and other stakeholders in Santa-world.
It's pretty incredible. Regardless of whether or not you believe that Santa exists, this film emphasizes the human spirit. As the synopsis on the hotdocs site says, the film is "part first-person exposé and part cultural history", but if there was someone who left the screening thinking that there wasn't a little bit of "Santa" within each of us...well, then I would think that their heart is made of coal. And for those of you who don't watch the film, I can tell you that you also have a Santa within you.
"Santa Jack" (I liked how all of the folks we met in the film who were Santas were, well, "Santa-whoever" when not Santa Claus) was in attendance (he was producer and writer) and we were happy to learn a little bit more about the Santa-world. I never really thought of the fact that there would probably be a need for Santa-agencies with Santa-agents!
Although in the film, Jack says that this is a one time experiment, he was happy to report that this season would be his third season in the business.
A great film.

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

Love Arranged

Love Arranged is a film by Soniya Kirpalani about two girls looking for love in India. Each is in their late twenties, is well educated with good jobs. They are self-assured but single. Each had tried going the love marriage route, but have not come up with anything. At their age, they are getting antsy and this film follows them as they attempt to go the arranged marriage route.
I thought this film was quite good. I liked learning about a different culture, their approach to and outlook on things, traditions and for it to reinforce just how difficult it is to navigate through this thing called love.
The Q&A with Soniya was interesting as well. She gave us her perspective on things, tried to explain a non-Western perspective and even brought onstage a potential suitor for her own daughter. The story was quite interesting. Her daughter wanted her to bring a boy back from Toronto and daughter even had contact information for a potential match. Soniya met the boy and his family upon arrival, they seemed to hit it off, and the boy (maybe I should say young man/gentleman) and his parents attended the screening and were brought on stage to be introduced to the audience. Interesting.
I left the screening full of thoughts. Thoughts that I don't want to share on this blog, but thoughts that represented a mixture of emotions. Some comforting, some worrisome.
I liked the film, but it's not my favorite that I've seen.

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (official website here - when I wrote this post, the link redirected you to facebook page) is a film about Conan O'Brien post-NBC and pre-TBS. Basically, it shows him deciding to do a touring show, preparing for the touring show, and doing the touring show.
You could say that this is just a film version of the touring show and I would compare it in structure to Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie, with a little less backstory about the main character. I didn't like the David Suzuki doc (although the rest of the audience did as it won a People's Choice Award), but I managed to enjoy the Conan doc. I suppose when the content and subject in the film is funny, it helps make the film more interesting to watch.
That being said, it's not like the film is amazing. I enjoyed it, but again, it was a very surface-level film. The name of the film eludes to the fact that Conan can't stop performing or working, or whatever, even if he's legally restricted in what he's able to do, and there is a little mention of this in the film, but again, when it comes down to it, the film is more about finding ways to tie together snippets of his touring show.
Sure, through interviews and eavesdropping on him during non-show times, I was able to better understand the man, but it was a balance between the show and the person rather than being a character investigation. Maybe that was the point.
An enjoyable film, but I'll bet that it won't stand out from the rest.

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

Jalouse

This makes me jealous. Et nostalgique. Et faim.

Apparently there isn't a dessert cart anymore...this is terribly sad news.

Curious

I enjoy watching the GoogleTalks on youtube.
Something I've noticed as a running theme in the interviews that I've watched that the interviewer is, well, awkward. They're not the most adept at dealing with the interviewee and their answers (all of the interviewees that I've watched are witty and/or can give zany answers). Sometimes they don't know how to react. Sometimes they don't know how to segue.
I think this is because of the high concentration of nerdiness at google.
Yes, I stereotype.

Boy Cheerleaders

In a UK dancing-themed day, after seeing Jig, I watched Boy Cheerleaders.
The documentary follows an all-boy cheerleading team as they prepare for their National Championship competition. Again, not a novel concept for a film, however unlike Jig, I felt as though this one fell short. Again, we got to know a couple of the boys on the team, their stories, their sacrifices, their families, their hopes and dreams, but with this one, I will say that I thought that it was an on-the-surface film.
With both films, it was clear that the intention was to create a film about people. Sure, we get to know about each sport, but it's the people and their stories that the filmmakers are really interested in (Sue Bourne said it herself in the Q&A for Jig). So, for Boy Cheerleaders, one particular part of the boys' stories that could have been further examined was the fact that each of the boys that were followed (not everyone on the team was followed) had no father figure in their lives. Each of them were raised by a single mother and each of those mothers comment on their own struggles growing up. Although it was eluded to, I would have thought it would be interesting to delve a little bit more into how this team helps the boys find their footing, and if/how the male coach of the team provided a positive male influence to them.
That being said, it wasn't a horrible film. It was cute. It did everything that a film should do, but of course I'm so demanding and critical that I wanted more (especially after just having seen Jig).
I wished the director, James Newton, was in attendance for a Q&A, but that didn't happen. This film would also be a great one to have a follow-up about. There was a mini pay-off at the end of the film, but a real follow-up would have been better. And since I felt as though so many of the characters in the film had so many challenges in their lives (sorry, it's the educator in me coming out), I really yearned for that follow-up. I suppose the director did a good enough job that I felt connected to the characters, or maybe you can say that he didn't do a good enough job that I was left unresolved. You could argue either way.
So, a nice film. Something that I would watch if it was playing on TV (it did in the UK), but probably not buy a ticket to watch on the big screen for wide-release. I did enjoy the section about "facials". Oh, the world of cheerleading...

- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca

Jig

After an unsuccessful Rush attempt to see El Bulli - Cooking in Progress (note: After failing at two Rush attempts for food docs - last year, I didn't get into Kings of Pastry - I need to remember that Torontonians are more fanatical about food than I thought), I was back on track with Jig.
Jig (official website here) is a film about the world of Irish dancing and follows various competitors as they prepare for the World Irish Dancing Championships. It's not a novel idea for a documentary (following competitors and learning about their sport/families/etc.), but apparently Irish Dancing is notorious for not allowing cameras and stuff like that into their world.
I LOVED this doc. I know nothing about Irish dancing (well, I know a couple steps and some of the superficial stuff about the outfits and such), so I didn't have that extra investment in the movie. Of course, I can relate as someone who has a passion and someone who's prepared for important competitions, but I would think that most people who have something sort of similar (even if not on the same scale). I thought the director, Sue Bourne, did a great job at picking a variety of dancers and really getting to understand their personalities, their stories, the whole bit. A common sentiment that I have about documentaries is that they're too on-the-surface, but although I can't figure out what this film did more than the others, I really thought that this one gave me as much of the story as I wanted. I wasn't left wanting more. I thought the timing, the weaving, the depth, the pay-off, it was all really really great.
I also loved the music. I don't know if most people notice music during movies, but I do, and I seem to comment on it quite often. I remember thinking that, of course the Irish music was very suitable and enjoyable in general, but that it was well timed and the type of music selected for each section was perfect. And as the credits rolled, one name stuck out. Patrick Doyle. A-ha. Kudos.
In the Q&A, Sue Bourne mentioned how fortunate she was to snag Patrick. She couldn't afford him, but had asked him to recommend someone. He watched the film, loved it, and then signed himself on instead. She was also able to give updates on all of the characters of the film (the doc leads up to the 2010 Worlds and the 2011 had just taken place a month ago) and they were good stories. I won't tell you, because you have to watch the film first.
Anyway, needless to say, I would highly recommend this film.

- picture courtesy of www.jig-the-film.com

More Zermatt!

Another whole episode of the Amazing Race in Zermatt.
And a big doggie to meet them at the pit stop...Schön!