BKonthescene

By Wayne Baggs & BKONTHESCENE

We started the festival on Friday to watch The Ambassador at The Bell Lightbox.
FRI, APR 25 
THE LAST AMBASSADOR

A female advocate who held office from the unofficial office in Vienna, Manizha Bakhtari to this day is Afghanistan’s only female ambassador. Her relentless and fearless approach defies the Taliban’s gender discrimination by enabling the secret education of girls, she becomes one of the most important voices for women in her country.A fighter through thick and thin.

Our Weekend continued for a musical journey and we were really looking forward to seeing this entry into the Hot Docs festival.
SAT, APR 26
THE FLAMENCO GUITAR OF YERAI CORTÉS

The uniqueness of this doc from Spain as it was 
filmed  in richly textured , this musical tapestry followed  the Spanish guitarist Yerai Cortés, who uses his musical talent to help heal the everything around his settings, healing his friends,family and Gypsy community through the healing power of spiritual music  of the heart.

On Sunday,April 27th we arrived early for the highly anticipated-Endless Cookies at The Bell Lightbox

“Endless Cookie” is a delightful, offbeat gem that stole my heart at Hot Docs 2025. Directed by half-brothers Seth and Peter Scriver, this animated documentary is a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply personal exploration of family, identity, and storytelling. Set in the remote community of Shamattawa, Manitoba, the film captures the chaos and warmth of Peter’s home, filled with kids, dogs, and spontaneous interruptions, embracing the messiness of real life .
Seth’s surreal animation brings their world to life with whimsical visuals—characters sporting balloon noses and talking chicken burgers offering life advice in grocery aisles. The film seamlessly blends humor with poignant reflections, touching on serious issues like residential schools and water advisories, while maintaining a light-hearted tone. Peter’s storytelling, rich with anecdotes and cultural insights, is both entertaining and enlightening, offering a window into Indigenous life with authenticity and charm.

“Endless Cookie” is more than a documentary; it’s a celebration of resilience, humor, and the bonds that tie us together. It’s no surprise it won the Rogers Audience Award at Hot Docs. This film is a must-watch for anyone seeking a unique, heartwarming experience that lingers long after the credits roll

In the afternoon we had a short break and conveniently moved to another theatre at the Bell Lightbox for a doc for a world renowned artist 
SUN, APR 27
AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT

Renowned Artist Al Weiwei is presented with the task through of directing Puccini’s controversial opera Turandot in Rome. He transforms this century-old tale of power and prejudice into a modern interpretation of what had transpired through his eyes with artistry,dance,symbolism reflecting today’s global crises, from pandemic, violence, protest politics to war.There are flashbacks to his challenges from government intervention, to his detention in jail for being an outspoken advocate of the Chinese government and an extra in a play many years ago. His vision and the modern interpretation of the opera is well received by the audience

After a dinner break we continued at the Bell Lightbox for the night time showing of our next doc-
April 27th Lightbox 4 for Spare My Bones

Jonah Malak’s Spare My Bones, Coyote! is a haunting and deeply moving documentary that premiered at Hot Docs 2025, spotlighting the tireless efforts of Marisela and Ely Ortiz, founders of Águilas del Desierto. For over a decade, this dedicated couple has led volunteer missions into the unforgiving Arizona desert to recover the remains of migrants who perished while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, striving to return them to their grieving families .

The film’s stark cinematography captures the desolate beauty of the desert landscape, juxtaposed with the profound sorrow etched on the faces of the searchers. Malak’s direction is both respectful and unflinching, allowing the audience to witness the physical and emotional toll of this humanitarian crisis. The documentary delves into the personal stories of the volunteers, highlighting their unwavering commitment amidst increasing challenges and emotional exhaustion .

Spare My Bones, Coyote! is not just a documentary; it’s a powerful testament to compassion and resilience in the face of tragedy. It sheds light on a humanitarian crisis that often goes unnoticed, urging viewers to reflect on the human cost of migration policies. This film is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the border crisis and the profound impact of grassroots activism.
Once this doc ended we caught parts of The Nest which was also at the Bell Lightbox.
SUN, APR 27 
THE NEST

Historical Canadian doc,with secrets and discovery as this story begins,combining cultural references of: Indigenous, Deaf, Japanese and South Asian,with the end of her mother’s life, director Julietta Singh returns to her childhood home, where centuries of forgotten memories,treasured items and matriarchs emerge to reveal a stories of realization,resistance and resilience.
To start the week off, we went to view a sports doc from Canada at the Bell Lightbox.
MON, APR 28-
SAINTS AND WARRIORS

An annual All Native Basketball Tournament in Canada has been occurring for over sixty years, sports organizations and teams have gathered on the Pacific west coast for the champions glory as the Skidegate Saints, are the all Native Basketball Tournament trophy winners as they battle to keep their title, this yearly get together is the pinnacle tournament and event that has become an iconic symbol of team work , camaraderie, resilience, community and culture.
It was Tuesday and we had an early wake up call to view this UK showcase.
TUE, APR 29
HOLLOWAY

Within the decaying walls of England’s soon-to-be demolished Holloway Prison, six women gather for a visit to their past to relive what was and to reminisce about prison life. Unearthing memories and sharing personal experiences, they reflect and  reveal the hidden pain,anguish and undiscribaunderlying women’s imprisonment and the healing that comes through sisterhood.
We waited around the King St.area,had dinner and we looking forward to the next doc.
Tues.,April 29th  @The Bell Lightbox for Betrayal

Lena MacDonald’s Betrayal is a standout at Hot Docs 2025, delivering an emotionally charged and deeply personal narrative that resonates with audiences. The documentary delves into MacDonald’s own experiences, exploring themes of trust, deception, and the complexities of human relationships. Her candid storytelling and intimate interviews provide a raw and unfiltered look into the impact of betrayal on individuals and families.

The film’s strength lies in its ability to connect the personal with the universal, making viewers reflect on their own experiences with trust and loss. MacDonald’s direction is both sensitive and unflinching, allowing the subjects’ stories to unfold naturally while maintaining a cohesive and compelling narrative. The cinematography complements the storytelling, capturing moments of vulnerability and strength with equal finesse.

Betrayal has garnered critical acclaim, earning the Corus-Hot Docs Forum Pitch Prize, a testament to its powerful storytelling and relevance . It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in documentaries that tackle complex emotional landscapes with honesty and artistry. MacDonald’s work not only sheds light on personal experiences but also invites a broader conversation about the nature of trust and the consequences when it’s broken.
Now we are in a new month of May and we were liking forward to this music doc of the iconic Selena.
THU, MAY 1
HOT DOCS CINEMA
SELENA Y LOS DINOS

During the 90’s,Selena Quintanilla broke down barriers for women in the genre,she was an iconic superstar,songs by her being played on all the pop radio,her concerts sold out, her merchandise being worn and adorned by fans and whose voice continues to resonate across generations. Dubbed the “Queen of Tejano Music,”
With family archives,interviews and intimate testimonies immortalized the rise of this vocal powerhouse who captivated the world over and the tragedy that happened at the height of her stardom.

It’s the weekend and the festival was coming to a close, but we had a few more docs to view before the end of Hot Docs.
FRI, MAY 2
HOT DOCS CINEMA 
THE GARDENER AND THE DICTATOR

A love story transcending through the last century as this intimate and quirky documentary features the filmmaker’s elderly grandparents as they care for each other in their final years while revisiting memories of joyous and painful times that offer a unique perspective into China’s unstable &chaio last century.

It was the last day of the 2025 edition of the festival and we started the morning and afternoon downtown to view two docs.
SUN, MAY 4

CIRCUSBOY

It was the premier of a story of the circus life, once a  popular occupatioj and in Germany this documentary tells the tale of the world of the carnie man and  as one of the last great circus men  as he tells his great grandson stories of magic and entertainment with thus  look at a generational tradition of circus life in their home land.
After the Sunday morning doc, we had one last one in the afternoon to view for this year.
THEY’RE HERE

A community of UFO witnesses in New York State seek to make sense of their life-changing experiences in this fun and insightful  look at people brought together by this topic of extraterrestrial in their city .
The community believes they are here ,we await with bated breath for their appearance and the people are used to all of the fanfare. Believe it or not, it’s a topic for all of us to ponder.