Mighty Jerome (Canadian Spectrum @HOTDOC’S)  - is a story of strength and determination. In 1960, at the age of 19, Harry Jerome was the fastest man on Earth, running the 100-metre sprint in ten seconds flat. A tribute to an inspiring individual, Mighty Jerome addresses issues of race, nationalism and perseverance through the accomplishments of one of Canada’s finest and fastest athletes. It is told creatively with rich textured scenes and honest enactments of the life of Harry Jerome.

In my opinion director Charles Officer has taken Canadian and NFB documentaries to another level. The infusion of his personal style which includes a unforgettable soundtrack, mounted stills that leaving you wanting more and cinematography that shapes each scene poetically. There is a steady pace that you will experience from this documentary like a simple rhythmic stride from a young boy who embodies Jerome.  But what strikes me the most is how humble one can be in the moment of great achievements…for both subject and director.  Bravo!!

Screenings – Saturday April 30th 11am & Sunday May 8th 4:30pm

wwww.hotdocs.ca – Festival runs until May 8th (free screening before 6pm for students and seniors)

Tyler Perry on red carpet during tiff09

Box Office Magazine reports that in a recent interview, Tyler Perry, who has commented on the subject a few times before, was prompted to share a few more words about Spike Lee and his “coonery” comments.  And he wants us to know, it’s not off the record:

You can listen to the actual recorded interview below…
Tyler calls out Spike by EURnews

Tyler Perry Vs. Spike Lee feud is not new – they’ve been a couple times, but in light of these recent comments from Perry; does he have a point?

Should black filmmakers refrain from criticizing other black filmmakers? Is Spike Lee right to make his criticisms of Perry public in order to distance himself from what he feels are negative portrayals of black people? Or is it okay for a filmmaker to criticize another filmmaker publicly, as long as one doesn’t implicate the filmmaker’s race or culture? Weigh in.

Additional credits Indiewire.com

Each year, many young creative filmmakers (producers, directors) enter Canada’s diverse film community. However, the majority of emerging filmmakers are focused on their creative vision with little considerations given to the “business” on which their creativity will ultimately seek profit. . Join us as we investigate and introduce three major components of the film of business that could shift the pendulum and create a balance for emerging filmmakers within – Festivals, Markets and Distribution. 

Presented by

Film Market Access & Quebecor Cannes Market Fellowship

GUEST SPEAKERS:  

Kirk Cooper - Founder of Film Market Access

Kirk has 10 + years in the arts and entertainment industry, providing professional services in Communications, Marketing, Development and Project Management of special initiatives, industry events, film and television productions.  

Michael Paszt - Managing Partner of Raven Banner Entertainment

Raven Banner Entertainment represents innovative and compelling independent feature films and filmmakers for North American distribution and the international marketplace  

DATE:    Saturday, APRIL 16^th   

TIME:     1PM – 3:30PM  

PLACE: TORONTO FILM SCHOOL – RCC Institute of Technology -  10 Dundas St East (AMC Cinemas) 7^th floor. (Take elevators located next to Starbucks)  

 COST: FREE – Please email info@market-access.ca  to reserve a seat. Maximum seating 30    

Presented in part by The Quebecor Fund – For Professional Development in support of career advancement of culturally diverse and Aboriginal media professionals to create greater opportunity, access and equity in the screen-based media sector.  

 

 

He is simply one of my favorite directors! Lars Von Trier created no small amount of controversy with his last film, Antichrist (2009), which chronicled the breakdown of a relationship in explicit, mind-bending fashion. So he raised eyebrows when he announced  ‘no more happy endings!’ for his next picture, Melancholia, which also expands his canvas from the destruction of a couple’s relations to the utter destruction of the Earth. Hmmm?

Lars Von Trier and the cast of Melancholia

Melancholia stars Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgård, Stellan Skarsgård and Udo Kier, and explores the responses of two different women (played by Dunst and Gainsbourg) to the impending end of the world. With the completion of the film comes a new trailer and news that the film will be distributed in the US by Magnolia.

IndieWire announces the Magnolia deal, saying that the film will be completed this spring. With the upcoming official selection just day away – can we expect to see the film at Cannes, where Antichrist so polarized audiences? I think there is a very strong chance Cannes would welcome back this unique auteur and the 2009 best actress palme winner Charlotte Gainsbourg. But this one might not have such a dramatic effect, because it sounds as if it isn’t quite as explicitly designed as Antichrist to push buttons. Have a look for yourself and let me know your thoughts…

Melancholia – Lars Von Trier – Trailer by Monkief

Additional information supplied by www.slashfilm.com

Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman in Barney's Version

Here we go again… another year of surprises from the Academy Of Canadian Cinema and Television’s nominations for the 31st Genie awards. The Robert Lantos produced Barney’s Version garnered eleven nominations while the multiple award-winning Incendies pick up ten and a best picture nomination for the sci-fi Splice?!

Barney’s Version & Incendies are hugely popular thanks to its warm reception at tiff10. Both films are nominated for best picture and both have also received nominations in the upcoming Oscar race. 

However the Genie has somehow rectified the snub that Xavier Dolan received in 2010 by awarding Les Amours Imaginaires with four nominations including best picture and best director.

Today I learnt that Villeneuve’s Incendies just passed 3 million dollars at the Quebec box office for Seville Pictures, an affiliate of eOne Entertainment, which will release the picture in English-speaking Canada later this year. Sony will release it in the US.

Quebec film 10 ½ also nabbed eight nominations, including for best picture, director (Podz), screenwriter (Claude Lalonde) and best actor (14-year-old West Islander Robert Naylor).

The Genie Awards will take place at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa March 10 and will be broadcast live on CBC-TV.

Oh and btw – if you haven’t seen the film Splice and you might be wondering why I drew attention to this film – a wasted space of a nomination…all you need to do is rent it at your nearest video store. But I urge you don’t drag your friend or anyone else to sit through it with you.  

BEST MOTION PICTURE NOMINEES
10 ½ – Pierre Gendron
Les Amours Imaginaires – Xavier Dolan, Carole Mondello, Daniel Morin
Barney’s Version – Robert Lantos
Incendies РLuc D̩ry, Kim McCraw
Splice – Steven Hoban