Giving you our points of view on the latest docs in release and on the circuit.
Like a confident performer, Step struts up to the stage with a cool swagger and throws down the glove before it makes your spirit soar.
Ramen Heads looks at award-winning chef Osamu Tomito as he shares his philosophy and takes us on a journey of ramen fanaticism.
PACmen is an inside look at one of the most powerful forces in American elections: the political action committees
78/52 (USA, 91 min.) Dir. Alexandre O. Philippe Programme: Nightvision (Toronto Premiere) It’s one of the most iconic sequences in cinema history: 78 setups, 52 cuts, two weeks of shooting a protagonist washing herself in a bathroom. Psycho’s shower sequence is the apotheosis of Hitchcock’s craft and imagination, a brilliant glimpse into his genius. 78/52 is a celebration of this remarkable sequence, drawing upon the informed opinions of editors, filmmaker and fans to delve deep into the meaning and techniques behind this astonishing bit of cinema history. Walter Murch, Peter Bodganovich and Guillermo Del Toro provide some of the
City of Ghosts (USA, 91 min.) Dir. Matthew Heineman Programme: Special Presentations (Canadian Premiere) The civil war in Syria has generated numerous documentaries, dealing with the on-going brutal conflict, that it’s somewhat easy to cynically feel fatigued, as if the tragic narratives are all the same. What sets City of Ghosts apart is that it’s the story of local journalists, who risk their own lives to prevent the insidious evil of ISIS and its systematic erasure of history. Part of ISIS’ rise has been due to its highly sophisticated media production, from slick execution videos to professional-looking reportage. A
Do Donkeys Act champions the donkey, taking the animals from their position of lowly beast, and elevating them as unique artists.
Recruiting for Jihad is a Vice-style profile of Norwegian Islamist Ubaydullah Hussain, but is ultimately a bit of a missed opportunity.
The Genius and the Opera Singer (UK, 70 min.) Dir. Vanessa Stockley Programme: World Showcase (World Premiere) Grey Gardens meets What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? in the intimate and unsettling The Genius and the Opera Singer. The doc chronicles the lovingly toxic relationship between 92-year-old Ruth and her 55-year-old daughter Jessica as they share a New York apartment of claustrophobic chaos. Part documentary, part verité-style horror show, this film by Vanessa Stockley depicts one of the most uncomfortable, gruelling, and revealing mother-daughter relationships ever caught on film. The film opens with Jessica bringing her dog, Miss Angelina Jolie,
Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World (Canada, 80 min.) Dir. Barry Avrich Programme: Artscapes (Canadian Premiere) Oh, this business of art. The world of fine art often has a tenuous relationship between commercial value and cultural worth. Blurred Lines tackles the slippery nature of the culture/commerce divide as director Barry Avrich (Quality Balls) weighs the values of the two sides of the art world and finds the scales out of balance. Avrich explores the art world from a multitude of angles in this engaging and entertaining doc that boasts an impressive breadth of insight and access to top players
A compelling film on the phenomenon, Hobbyhorse Revolution celebrates its subject matter with enthusiasm.
