There鈥檚 a Canadian-made documentary to suit everyone鈥檚 interests at this year鈥檚 Hot Docs Festival taking place in Toronto. From Inuk people finding their voice in opposition to the anti-sealing movement, to a B.C. pinball prodigy who also happens to have autism, to homeless dog owners who credit the animals with saving their lives.
If you鈥檙e inclined to think that a Canadian documentary is somehow boring, Senior Canadian Programmer at Hot Docs Lynne Fernie has news for you.
鈥淪ome people still feel documentary is the type of film they forced you to watch in school,鈥� Fernie said. 鈥淏ut the storytelling now is so vibrant. It takes you into other worlds.鈥�
Of the 232 films being screened this year at Hot Docs, 71 are , while there are 50 new films directed by Canadians. But not all Canadian-made films are shot here.
Take for example the festival鈥檚 opening night selection 鈥淟eague of Exotique Dancers鈥� about the lives of the women who ruled the burlesque stage during the Golden age of the art form. Much of the film, written and directed by Rama Rau, takes place in the U.S., even though it鈥檚 a presentation of Telefilm Canada. 鈥淐heer Up,鈥� a documentary from Canadian director Christy Garland, about what could quite possibly be one of the world鈥檚 worst cheerleading squads, is shot almost exclusively near the Arctic Circle in Finland.
Fernie dubs it 鈥渢rans-national documentary cinema鈥� and said it鈥檚 more common than one might think, especially with the diverse backgrounds of the filmmakers.
The festival is divided into different programs, but Canadian Spectrum is not the only place one will find Canadian-made films. Fernie stresses that 鈥� the category that comedian Louis C.K. had a bit of fun with at this year鈥檚 Academy Awards. Shorts are typically less than 40 minutes in length, but several of the shorts in the Hot Docs program clock in at less than 15 minutes.
One of Fernie鈥檚 favourite feature length films appearing at Hot Docs is by two-time Genie-winning director Nettie Wild. "KONELINE: our land beautiful" is set in Tahltan First Nations Territory in northwestern B.C.
鈥淚t鈥檚 got the magnificence of manufactured landscapes with all the diverse people who live on that land,鈥� Fernie said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 stunning and moving. I think it鈥檚 a masterpiece.鈥�
Hot Docs runs from April 28 to May 8. Tickets are on sale now.
