Tag: canada

Making money, honey. “Queen of the Deuce” (2022)

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directed by Valerie Kontakos
© 2022 Canada Media Fund (CMF). All Rights Reserved.

Who doesn’t watch porn? But how many of us would go to the cinema to see a porn film? Nowadays, not sure, but about 50 years go it was a big deal. Today, I’d like to recommend you a rather short and concrete documentary about Chelly Wilson, who was a fun lady indeed. She was of Greek origins and nothing indicated her future career. She got married (unwillingly), had children, and was supposed to be a decent mommy at home. But it’s not for Chelly. She decided to pack her bags and go to New York, where she rented a movie theatre and started screening international films. She was doing so to support her home country and raise money for the good cause. At some point she was also screening Greek productions to popularise them in the USA. Lovely, right? And here comes the spicy part. In the 60s, Chelly chose a different path and started producing and screening films for adults. And for more details, you need to see the film yourselves. I personally enjoyed learning about Chelly and her life because she must have been a really unique and strong woman. Not sure I’d be able to do what she did back then, yet she did that with a cigarette in her mouth. About her cinema – it’s fascinating to me that it wasn’t presented as a place for degenerates or sex addicts, but as a spot for a certain community to gather, meet, get to know each other and simply have fun. Chelly didn’t only started a cinema – she built a house for those who needed understanding, support and company. Obviously, she was also doing it for money, because every business is there for making money – pretty clear. Still, she could have chosen a different path. Maybe starting a bakery? But nah, let’s buy a cinema and screen porn, shall we? And I love such energy. I hadn’t known about Chelly before watching, so this documentary let me learn something new and perhaps find some inspiration. Maybe those ridiculous ideas that we sometimes have in mind are not meant to stay in our imagination only? How cool it would be if we all just let them be. Anyway, enjoy learning about this Greek Queen that brought happiness and satisfaction to New York.

My rating: 6/10
S.

Dancing on the edge of a volcano. “Fire of Love” (2022)

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directed by Sara Dosa
© 2022 National Geographic Documentary Films. All Rights Reserved.

If you’re still in some Valentine’s Day mood but you’re not a fan of classic rom-com love stories, I’ve got something for you! I’d like to introduce you to an extraordinary couple that shared a lot of love towards each other, but also towards their common passion. Katia and Maurice Krafft were French volcanologists who didn’t think twice when it comes to exploring one of the most mysterious and dangerous creations of nature. I hope you won’t consider it a spoiler as it’s known from the very beginning of the film – both of them died, yet the tragedy is mentioned at the end, so that’s something I’m not revealing here. I was myself quite curious how this power couple lost their lives, especially since there were way too many occasions in their career. The documentary is very much based on their own footage as they were also recording their adventures and studies. I have to admit that I never heard of them before seeing this production, but apparently, they have made a significant impact in the world of science. They were going to places where most people would never even think of staying close to. They were bringing samples back to labs, providing scientists with more specific knowledge on the topic of volcanos. As we learn from the documentary, the couple weren’t wealthy or anyhow privileged, so they lived a rather simple life at home in order to spend the saved money on their next expeditions. I enjoyed learning about Katia and Maurice because they seemed to be a wonderful marriage, where both sides share a passion and support each other no matter what. During their trips, they were looking after each other and, as much as each of them was a very intelligent and brave individual, I’m sure they wouldn’t have done all that without the other person by their side. I believe that support of the other partner was crucial in their development process and I’m glad those two ran into each other at some point in their lives. Thanks to them, many people gained the access to more knowledge, video and paper educational materials, and perhaps also some inspiration to join them in exploring volcanos. It is also proved that thanks to the couple’s work many people were saved from the consequences of eruptions that had been estimated some time before. Besides, I don’t know if it’s because they spent too much time way too close to lava, but watching their interviews in the documentary I could feel this wonderful warmth from both of them. I really believe they were good people. And ambitious passionates. And dedicated partners. So if you want to learn something new and meet a real power couple, that’s a film for you to see.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Woman like her. “A Brother’s Love” (“La femme de mon frère”, 2019)

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directed by Monia Chokri
© 2019 Les Films Seville. All Rights Reserved.

I saw one opinion about this film before watching, which I agree with now – this is a film to watch, not to check. It tells the story of Sophia (Anne-Élisabeth Bossé), who’s 35 and has just got her PhD. However, there are way too many people with such title and not enough job offers, so the woman ends up with a PhD before her name, no job and a student debt. She lives with her brother Karim (Patrick Hivon), with whom she’s always had very close relations. When Sophie gets pregnant (no, not with her brother, it’s not such story), Karim takes her to a gynaecologist to sign up for an abortion. And then those two meet Eloïse (Evelyne Brochu), a gorgeous doctor. In fact, Eloïse and Karim have already met as they once had a hookup together. So the siblings don’t only manage to get an abortion, but also find Karim a new date. Sophie cannot really handle the fact that her beloved brother has another important woman in his life and for the first time Sophie feels completely alone. Generally, it’s a quite strange comedy, full of original shots and awesome dialogues, which I recommend you to listen to carefully. However, there’s some hidden drama there as a lot of people may actually see themselves in the character of Sophie. She’s one of those children that were told to focus on education as if that was the determinant of a successful life. Then she wakes up at the age of 35 with lovely titles, yet no idea what to do with herself. And she actually realises that she doesn’t need those titles to be happy. All she needs is affection and someone who understands the world the way she does. “Losing” her brother to another woman destroys her more than lack of job, the unplanned pregnancy or that student debt. Haven’t we all “lost” someone to another person? Someone that has always been by our side and then they’re gone, just like that? I definitely recommend you to check this film out as its form and dialogues may really make your evening.

My rating: 6/10
S.

Do you see the glare blazing from inside? “Kuessipan” (2019)

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directed by Myriam Verreault
© 2019 Filmoption. All Rights Reserved.

Before I tell you about the film, I feel like I need to tell you a bit about the Innu. Do you happen to know who the Innu are? They are the Indigenous inhabitants of Canada, mostly living in eastern Quebec and Labrador (which they call “Nitassinan” meaning “our land”). Okay, lesson over, class dismissed, we’re getting back to the film. The reason why I told you about the Innu is because it’s significant for you to know them before watching the film. Obviously, you may watch it without this piece of information, but I feel like you might need a moment to understand what’s going on and what’s the background of the main characters. And they are two young Innu women, Mikuan and Shaniss (Sharon Ishpatao Fontaine & Yamie Grégoire). They both grow up in their Innu community and are best friends for life. However, one day Mikuan meets Francis (Étienne Galloy) and those two start getting closer and closer to each other. It wouldn’t be such a bit deal unless Francis wasn’t white. Shaniss, despite being young, still believes in the traditions and the way people in their community live. She’s not sure that a stranger from “out there” is the best option for Mikuan. Mikuan, however, also has a lot of respect towards her family and origins, yet she wishes to discover the world and keep trying new things. And from now on, the two friends start going different ways. This film is full of so many precious messages that I’m glad I found it. First, it’s a very natural picture of Innu people’s life. We may feel like one of them, see how they live everyday, and not feel like an intruder. Second, Innu community from the perspective of a young woman. How much they struggle to respect the traditions, yet experience what the world has for them to offer. Third, difficult love. Or maybe I should say “improper” love. Despite the fact that we’re more and more open, we mix and we date very different people, older generations still don’t always feel comfortable when their descendants get into relationships with people of different “something”. Either it’s country, skin colour, religion, origins, culture etc. And fourth, the power of friendship, which I don’t need to explain I guess. I was very much surprised that the filmmakers managed to present so many complex topics in a way that the film isn’t tiring, nor boring, nor unsatisfactory. So enjoy this adventure with two very interesting Innu women.

My rating: 7/10
S.

There are things we shouldn’t be allowed to see. “Come True” (2020)

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directed by Anthony Scott Burns
© 2020 Copperheart Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

Do you know such films which are average or rather good, but at the end you realise they are marvellous, because you’ve been played by the filmmakers? “Come True” is one of them, at least for me. I’ve seen some reviews saying that it’s predictable or even boring. Well, not sure what kind of dreams such reviewers have, but for me it was like watching a brushed up version of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, but in a very 2020 futuristic style. Actually, we don’t have an actual Freddie in this story, but while watching it, you may create such creature in your head, which is even more disturbing than my beloved scissor-hands character. Okay, before I say too much, let’s start from the beginning. As always, no spoilers. Sarah (Julia Sarah Stone) is a teenager having sleeping problems. Each time she falls asleep, she sees some very strange objects. And each time, in her dreams, she approaches a silhouette of something that seems to be a man. One day, she signs up for sleep studies and hopes that the scientists could help her. However, from the beginning of the tests, Sarah’s dreams are getting more and more disturbing, causing not only anxiety. The rest is for you to see. I absolutely adore films that make me feel stupid. Honestly. I mean, when I’m watching something, I’m like Sherlock Holmes – trying to guess every little metaphor or allusion, and finally, how everything will end. Very often I’m successful, but not this time. I was so engaged in the story of Sarah, that perhaps my empathy didn’t let me focus on the whole picture. But I believe that was the filmmakers’ idea – to play with our deepest fears and then, boom, leave us reflecting on the meaning of life, literally. Okay, maybe not that far, but I honestly felt uncomfortable, even after I finished watching. It’s not scary, but it’s difficultly creepy. But no spoilers means no spoilers so, I’m sorry, you have to see this wonderful film yourselves. Quick hint: not before sleep, you’ll thank me later.

My rating: 8/10
S.