Glasgow Film Festival 2017 Canadian Focus – True North: New Canadian Cinema
What images does Canada bring to your mind? Strapping Mounties and sticky sweet maple syrup? The mighty roar of Niagara and the plaintive caress of a Leonard Cohen song? Vast landscapes and ancient cultures? A Margaret Atwood novel? In 2017, Canada celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Confederation and Glasgow Film Festival is proud to join in those festivities with a focus on the great diversity of talent currently found in their national cinema. There are films that challenge the country’s cherished institutions, look back with warm affection on the summer of 1976 and display all the dazzling possibilities of animated storytelling. You can even step back in time and marvel at hipster Toronto in the late 1950s with a rare screening of Sidney J Furie’s trailblazing milestone A Cool Sound From Hell, one of many extraordinary visions from Canada.
Directors of the films will be in attendance at some of the films.
Presented by Matchbox Cineclub. Sitcom noir, or maybe Tex Avery splatter. Steven desperately wants to be a “colour crime movie writer”, but he can only write beginnings and endings – until an adoring fan befriends him. Through a series of adventures – and the intervention of the evil Dr Jolly – he finds the strength to go on. This is a rare opportunity to see John Paizs’ beloved and consummately Canadian cult classic, long unavailable in the UK. Screening is preceded by Springtime for Greenland (John Paizs, 1981) 25m.
Director John Paizs will be in attendance at this screening.
Veteran Canadian director Bruce McDonald (Roadkill, Hard Core Logo) reunites with award-winning playwright and screenwriter Daniel MacIvor on this big-hearted coming of age drama. Handsomely shot in black and white and set during the July 4th weekend of 1976, Weirdos follows 15 year-old Kit (Dylan Authors) and his best friend Alice (Julia Sarah Stone) as they abandon small town life to hitchhike towards a brighter future. Life on the road becomes a journey of self-discovery filled with casual encounters, home truths and conversations with Kit’s “spirit animal” – Andy Warhol.
Director Bruce McDonald will be in attendance at the screening on Thu 16 Feb.
Ashley McKenzie’s debut feature is the story of outcast homeless 20-somethings, Blaise and Vanessa, Cape Breton junkies on a methadone recovery program. Sleeping in tents, fighting with government bureaucrats, they survive primarily through the underground economy. They harass people to let them cut their grass with a rusty old mower. They both dream of moving on and away from themselves and their addiction, but despite Vanessa’s efforts Blaise becomes more self destructive. McKenzie’s film is stark and doesn’t romanticise the characters or their situation. An uncomfortable but compelling look at blighted lives.
Director Ashley McKenzie will be in attendance at the screening on Sun 19 Feb.
Multi-talented Canadian star Jay Baruchel (Goon, How to Train Your Dragon) has developed a mutual appreciation for Celtic with Fox Sports commentator Eoin O’Callaghan. The two men take to the road, trading quips and determined to trace Baruchel’s maternal roots in Ireland. Then comes the fun part, as they head to Glasgow for a chance to watch their beloved Celtic in action and experience a little slice of Paradise. Both men prove to be great company in this snappy, extremely entertaining documentary from the director of Shatner’s World.
Producer Aaron Hancox and in film co-star Eoin O’Callaghan will be attending this screening.
Other films in the Canadian Focus Thread include: The Demons, Old Stone and Below Her Mouth.
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