By Sally Warburton
The 11 day Canadian documentary film festival is an annual celebration for documentary film fans and those who love to learn and be entertained. The HD festival included Opening Night Screening of documentary LUTHER: Never Too Much
This year’s festival was held at 3 cinemas – The Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema at Bathurst & Bloor. TIFF Lightbox on King Street West. Scotiabank Theatre on Richmond Street – just north of TIFF Lightbox. The Hot Docs Festival magazine listed all films, described them, had easy to read daily schedules of film screenings and was the brilliant guide to the festival – in addition to online. Workshops and opportunities for networking were held throughout the 11 day film festival. And the volunteers are amazing!
Daily screenings before 5pm (including Saturdays & Sundays) had free screenings for students and seniors…both with ID proof.
The festival has a large variety of films from different countries…all or most of the films included Q&A with directors, filmmakers and special guests. Here are some seen by BK on The Scene.
American Cats: the Good,the Bad and the Cuddly – The World Premiere of this US doc by Todd Bieber tells the reality of Ontario being the only province without a ban on declawing. But it is presented in such an understandable way by the hilarious and entertaining Amy Hoggart of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. She cracks jokes, cuddles the adorable cats and deals with this controversial topic with satire to expose this very sad situation. You don’t have to be a cat lover to appreciate this film. But you will become an advocate for the cats. And you will love this film.
Curl Power – This World Premiere Canadian documentary by Josephine Anderson deals with teenagers and sport. 5 best friends are seen pursuing their dreams of becoming Canadian National Curling Champions. The doc follows the girls through their high school years in British Columbia. We see how they navigate the everyday issues of teenage life on and off the ice. A great film for those dealing with teenagers and with competitive sports and to learn more about focussing on a goal.
Me, Michael & I – in Quebecois French -Moi, Michel et Moi by Nicolas Tremblay, Régis Coussot –for those hoping to hear Michael Jackson (MJ) songs and lots of dancing, then you’ll be in the wrong film but you’ll be in a character film you’ll enjoy very much. This Canadian doc deals with the main character who is a Michael Jackson impersonator. Whose life revolves around MJ. Who goes through surgeries to look like MJ. It’s an emotional description of an ambitious young Quebecois man who sacrifices much while he obsesses to resurrect the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. He attempts to emulate his hero. We see his dance moves and the fine line between dreams and reality. Very interesting and powerful character study.
So This Is Christmas An Irish film documentary by director Ken Wardropusing the addition of Tik Tok. Story concentrating on different sets of people and their Christmas feelings. One father of 2 boys experiencing their first Xmas without a wife/mother who’s recently died. An older woman living alone. A single mother of 3 young children. We feel the strength of these people.The film starts with the words “Somewhere in Ireland” It’s emotional and thought provoking
Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted by Isaac Gale, Ryan Olson The doc deals with a trio of Black men jamming, tripping and co-habitating in the San Fernando Valley. It’s a fun-filled documentary based around the painting of Swamp Dogg’s pool (which we’ll keep secret as to the end pattern!) In the suburbs of Los Angeles, Swamp Dogg (legendary cult musician) with his housemates Moogstar and Guitar Shorty live in a house transformed into an artistic playground. They navigate the challenges of the music industry, and create a unique bond which inspires across time and space. The acting is brilliant -personalities fun. The storyline was told in a humorous and interesting way. A great documentary for music fans and the rest.
Disco’s Revenge -Whether you were part of the 1970’s disco era or not, this was the film to learn more or to remember about the disco era. Specifically this Canadian documentary by Omar Majeed and Peter Mishara Disco’s Revenge tells the story of disco as the grand epic it was. This captivating story is told from its start in New York house parties, to its high rise to mainstream popularity, to its quick fall at the turn of the 1980s. Interviews with the people responsible for creating disco with archival footage from the 1970s. The audience is completely immersed in the golden age of disco. Funny and sad emotions and very engaging. Amazing disco soundtrack and scenes on the dancefloor and describes the uprising of disco as a musical genre based on radical social movement and vibrant counterculture. A collection of memories of Saturday Night Fever and Studio 54. The doc wants to set the record straight: Disco. Never. Died. Told by people who created and nurtured Disco Music, the doc features interviews and performances by Nile Rodgers and Chic, Billy Porter, Nona Hendryx and LaBelle, Grandmaster Flash, Fab Five Freddy, Nicky Siano, Earl Young and The Trammps, Sister Sledge, Donna Summer, Bee Gees, Jellybean Benitez, Kevin Saunderson, Sylvester and Martha Wash and others. A wonderful step back in time – music history. A wonderful music doc.
Mighty Jerome – Charles Officer’s documentary about Canadian Olympic runner Harry Jerome who was subjected to much racism throughout his life. A brilliant retell of Harry Jerome’s life and a Memorial to film director Charles Officer. This was a special Memorial Screening to honour Charles Officer who very sadly died at a young age in December 2023. The memorial held at Hot Docs Cinema was to remember the work and legacy of one of Toronto’s best loved filmmakers. Before the screening of Mighty Jerome, Charles Officer’s closest collaborators and friends in film clips, shared interviews, personal stories and precious footage of the acclaimed writer/director/producer. It was all a beautiful and respectful way of honouring this very talented and well-loved filmmaker. Charles’ legacy and love of his work and collaborativeness made us, the public, realize that our documentary film industry in Toronto is full of talent which we must nurture. We must nurture, respect and encourage our non-fiction storytellers. The screening of Charles Officer’s documentary Mighty Jerome was wonderful, touching and made us reflect on many aspects of Canadian life and, especially, the talent of Charles Officer who is missed very much by many.
Born Hungry is about a young Indian boy who finds himself abandoned by his family, jumping from train to train, sleeping in movie theatres,destitute and the streets was his home. Sash Simpson, a chef survived alone on the streets of Chennai,India eating from garbage bins before being adopted by a Canadian couple in Toronto, then he made a journey to return to India find his lost family. He now has his own family, a thriving restaurant business and enjoying life as a celebrity chef.
To learn more about Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and to see the monthly schedule of documentaries shown, the website is hotdocs.ca
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