CANADA
88 min
Co-presented by Art Not Shame
Short, sweet, and inspiring, this series of short docs explores how art impacts our lives and informs our relationships.
Why I’m Here
João França | CANADA
20 min
In this poetic exploration of sound, silence, movement, and place, director João França provides a glimpse into a magical world where musicians of diverse ages and abilities come together in an inclusive and supportive environment to explore the possibilities of improvisational collaborations (music, dance, and visual art). Following the experiences of the participants of the second annual Musical Improvisation at Land’s End / Coin-du-Banc en folie summer camp, which seeks to connect members of various communities with profound experiences of improvised music making, this short documentary interweaves the personal experiences of the camp participants with the breathtaking landscapes of Coin-du-Banc, Quebec and the surrounding areas. Why I’m Here / Pourquoi je suis ici offers an encounter between music, community, and place, painted in the delicate colours and textures of the Gaspé Peninsula.
Prince’s Tale
Jamie Miller | CANADA
17 min
After surviving an electrical fire that results in the amputation of his arms, a young actor named Prince must come to terms with being "differently-abled". Through his powerful and honest performances, he is able to find healing in his art, allowing him to form deep connections with his audience and the world around him.
Coe Hill
Matt Greyson & Adam Crosby | CANADA
9 min
Canadian Premier
A mesmerizing and hypnotic short documentary, Coe Hill is a portrait of electronic musician Armen Alexander and his process set against the influences and experiences of six months spent in isolation in Northern Ontario. With a patience to its approach, the film explores the musician's unique amalgamation of cultural influences in his work and the way in which one’s environment directly affects their use. The film, whose delicate visual language sits in complete harmony with the energy and rhythm of the subject and his process, is a meditative look at the synergy between an artist and the natural world.
The Song and the Sorrow
Millefiore Clarkes | CANADA
42 min
Musician Catherine MacLellan—the daughter of Canadian singer/songwriting legend Gene MacLellan—grew up surrounded by her father’s music. He committed suicide when she was 14. Two decades after his loss, Catherine is finally ready to confront the hurtful mystery of her absent parent and embrace his musical legacy.
The Song and the Sorrow follows Catherine as she journeys to understand her father and face her own struggles with mental illness. Through archival footage and intimate interviews with friends, family members, and musicians who knew and played with Gene—including Anne Murray, Lennie Gallant, and the late Ron Hynes—the film reveals a troubled and loving man who was never at ease with fame or money.
Catherine is determined to lift the oppressive burden of silence that accompanies the stigma of mental illness and hopes that others can take strength and solace from her story.
Time: 2:30pm
Venue: 10C
Tickets: $12/PWYC
Event: Talkback with filmmakers Jamie Miller (Prince's Tale) and Ajay Heble (Why I'm Here) hosted by Michelle Peek (Art Not Shame)