Exit Music (USA, 75 min.) Dir. Cameron Mullenneaux International Spectrum (World Premiere) A young man has to help lead his family accept that he is ready to die in the simple, but sensitive Exit Music, which addresses the end of life as a collective experience. Given a last-minute change from its more flippant original
True and unabashed passion is always a pleasure to encounter in a filmmaker. This enthusiasm makes Sparaga’s new film United We Fan, which has its world premiere at Hot Docs, such a joy to watch.
Alt-Right: Age of Rage (USA, 104 minutes) Dir: Adam Bhala Lough Programme: Special Presentations. (Canadian Premiere) “The best lack all conviction,” wrote WB Yeats, “while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” A barrage of passionate intensity from the worst threatens to numb viewers of Alt-Right: Age of Rage. A project that launched before
McQueen (USA, 111 min.) Dir. Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui Programme: Special Presentations (International Premiere) Move over, Daniel Day-Lewis! The gorgeous gowns of the House of Woodcock have nothing on the threads of Lee Alexander McQueen. Mind you, the designer of Phantom Thread never had the stones to let a boob hang out of
Braguino (France, 49 min.) Dir. Clément Cogitore Programme: The Changing Face of Europe Deep in the Siberian taiga, 1000 kilometres from the nearest settlement, live the Braguines, a family of Old Believers. Wanting to escape the corrupting influences of civilization, the family settled out in the middle of nowhere, where they hunt for food
Letter from Massanjia is part docu-thriller and part human rights saga.
Love, Gilda (USA, 84 min.) Dir. Lisa D’Apolito Programme: Special Presentations (International Premiere) The dead celebrity cinematic universe gets a new hero in Love, Gilda. Like the adventures of Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, and the Hulk, this enjoyable doc is one we’ve seen before. In fact, audiences saw it five years again
"I started my career as a journalist and I still think what I’m doing is a form of journalism. I think it’s a career of asking questions and a career of curiosity," says Morgan Neville on his Fred Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?.
Call Her Ganda (USA, 97 min.) Dir. PJ Raval Programme: World Showcase (International Premiere) The headline at the movies this year might be gender parity and #MeToo, and rightfully so, but one would be remiss to overlook the notable transgender stories at Hot Docs and within the film scene more broadly. Films like Michael
Laila at the Bridge (Canada/Afghanistan, 96 min) Dir. Gulistan Mirzaei and Elizabeth Mirzaei Program: The Good Fight (North American Premiere) A young mother in a traditional Afghanistan scarf and shawl speaks to the camera as she prepares a syrupy mixture in a bottle for her crying baby. The baby begins to suckle, and quickly