Our strong Canadian brand is often advertised using a few iconic trademarks; sweet syrup from our maple trees, passionately chasing a puck round a rink of ice and never failing to blurt out ‘sorry’ at the lightest awkward moment, however there is another noble attribute that is rarely celebrated enough when it comes to defining us as a culture. No, I’m not speaking of poutine, I’m speaking of our thought provoking world class homegrown contribution to the fine art of cinema. Yes, we make kick ass, risk taking films in this country and by gosh it’s something to be darn proud of, eh!
This month TIFF invites you to get patriotic and #SeeTheNorth. For 14 days the best films of 2016 have been selected to be screened at the annual Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival. These ten feature’s along with shorts, lectures, guest appearances (Director X) and more will be celebrated from coast to coast on silver screens from Vancouver to Halifax January 13th to 26th. You can even take part by casting your vote for the People’s Choice Award winner and rest assured, in Canada, we honour the popular vote.
Here are 5 Must-See Films at Canada’s Top 10:
ANGRY INUK
It’s easy to misread a voice of dissent as one of anger, while a calm voice is often ignored. Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s Angry Inuk wavers between the two as it tells the complex story of the commercial seal hunt in the Canadian Arctic and how it affects economies, traditions, ethics and even survival.
IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
The Canadian prince of cinema Xavier Dolan latest masterpiece won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prize. Need I say more? FYI: This one is in French so If you aren’t bilingual you may want to bring your reading glasses. If you are French, please be respectful and eat your poutine outside the theatre, Merci!
MEAN DREAMS
Two small town teenage lovers strive to flee their past in this violent thriller that explores young love, father figures and the fight for survival. Shot in Northern Ontario, this coming of age drama staring Sophie Nelisse and Josh Wiggins looks like the prefect family film for any not so perfect family.
WINDOW HORSES
This wildly unique animated feature looks like nothing you’ve seen before and stars the voice talent of Canada’s Hollywood golden girl Sandra Oh. The story follow’s a young Canadian woman’s life changing journey as a poet when she attends a festival in Iran. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming this film will resinate with anyone who loves poetry, adventure, art or girl-power.
HELLO DESTROYER
How could this list be complete without a hockey movie?! It wouldn’t be, but this film carried by breakout hunk Jared Abrahamson isn’t Snapshot meets The Mighty Ducks crossed with Goon. Writer/ Director Kevan Funk takes a look at the darker side of team sports when a young hockey player is subject to an act of violence and ostracized from his team and community. Jocks getting emotional- count me in.
By Dave Robert
