Interest: History
We Were Children
Harrowing stories of survivors of the Canadian Indian residential school system are woven together in this profoundly moving film about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of institutionalised racism, abuse and injustice on a national scale.
Director
Tim Wolochatiuk
Writer
Jason Sherman
Producers
Kyle Irving, David Christensen
Genres
Documentary, Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
English, French, Other Language
The Romance of the Far Fur Country
Shot with a scope that reaches from coast to coast to coast, this early documentary about the fur trade is about as ambitious as it gets. With scenes ranging from intimate to awe-inspiring, this silent epic tells a story that encompasses a wide variety of landscapes and people that participated in the industrial frenzy.
Created to commemorate the Hudson’s Bay Company’s 250th anniversary, this is the first feature length documentary in Canadian History, and is an important piece of history. Documenting different aspects of Canada almost 100 years ago, it is a fascinating look into the culture of that era.
Director
Harold M. Wyckoff
Producers
E. W. Hammons, Hudson's Bay Company
Genre
Documentary
Interest
History
Original Language
English
The Red Violin
As the auction proceeds, the violin’s history is revealed through four interconnected tales spanning 300 years. And as it passes through the hands of musicians in Italy, Vienna, London and Shanghai, the violin fills its owners’ lives with romance, adventure, intrigue and tragedy. At the centre of the story is the instrument’s dark secret, which is revealed only at the film’s suspenseful finale.
“In a time of timid projects and easy formulas, The Red Violin has the kind of sweep and vision that we identify with elegant features from decades ago.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Director
François Girard
Girard won a Grammy for Secret World Live, a Peter Gabriel concert film. Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould won four Genie Awards, including Best Picture. The Red Violin won eight Genies and an Oscar for Best Original Score. His recent films include Boychoir, starring Dustin Hoffman, and Hochelaga terre des âmes, which was nominated for eight CSAs, winning four. His latest, The Song of Names, premiered at TIFF 2019.
Writers
Don McKellar, François Girard
Cast
Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Flemyng, Colm Feore, Greta Sacchi, Sylvia Chang
Producer
Niv Fichman
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, History
Original Language
English
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire
Dallaire attempted to stop the killing by alerting the world through the United Nations and the international media. Though his attempts were unsuccessful, Dallaire emerged as a hero. Ten years later, Dallaire returns to Rwanda to personally commemorate the anniversary of that holocaust.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005.
“Dallaire is not only the protagonist of Shake Hands with the Devil, he is a compelling reason to see it.” — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Director
Peter Raymont
Raymont has produced and directed over 100 documentaries, which have earned more than 50 international awards. His producing credits include West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson, Guantanamo’s Child: Omar Khadr and Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band. He recently directed the doc Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power, and produced Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On, which premiered at TIFF 2022.
Writer
Roméo Dallaire
Producers
Linda Lee Tracey, Peter Raymont
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, Discrimination, Global Experiences, History, Literary Adaptation, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
The Carter Effect
Get ready to feel the “Vinsanity” with this unprecedented look at Vince Carter, the six-foot-six, eight-time NBA All-Star who made waves in Canadian basketball when he joined the Raptors in 1998. This engrossing doc chronicles his role in building the team’s profile and planting Toronto firmly on the world map.
Featuring appearances from Steve Nash, Director X, Mona Halem and Drake, as well as interviews with Carter himself, the film illuminates the thrill of the game and the complexity of the basketball industry.
An entertaining homage to a sports legend, and a love letter to Canada’s largest city, The Carter Effect captures the intoxicating mix of civic pride, music and diversity that makes Toronto so unique. The Carter Effect was nominated for Best Documentary at the Cleveland International Film Festival.
Director
Sean Menard
Documentary filmmaker Menard has directed and produced several sports docs, including On the Line, The Perfect Storm: Story of the 1994 Montreal Expos and Exceptional Status. His first feature-length doc was Fight Mom. Most recently, he directed episodes of Sole Origins, and UFC 25 Years in Short.
Cast
Vince Carter, Drake, David Stern
Producers
Drake, LeBron James, Maverick Carter
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, History, Sports
Original Language
English
Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World Of Ben Ferencz
The fascinating story of Ben Ferencz, a 98-year-old lawyer and last surviving prosecutor of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials after World War Two.
Ferencz grew up in New York, where he became a lawyer before enlisting in the Army. After seeing Nazi concentration camps first hand after liberation, then 27-year-old Ferencz became the lead prosecutor in what has been called the biggest murder trial in history. He went on to advocate for restitution for Jewish victims of the Holocaust and for the establishment of the International Criminal Court. His inspiring fight for justice continues today.
Directed with sensitivity and empathy, Prosecuting Evil sheds light on atrocities that should never be forgotten, and asks tough questions about the world we live in today.
Director
Barry Avrich
Prolific producer, director, and writer Avrich has made many acclaimed documentaries including The Last Mogul, Show Stopper: The Theatrical Life of Garth Drabinsky and David Foster: Off the Record, and the recent Oscar Peterson: Black + White. Avrich has also authored three books, and produced and directed several film adaptations of theatrical productions. He is currently working on 2022 doc The Talented Mr. Rosenberg.
Writer
Barry Avrich
Cast
Benjamin Ferencz, Alan Dershowitz
Producers
Patrice Theroux, Caitlin Cheddie
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, History, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage
Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with some of rock’s greatest artists, this documentary explores the long career of these Canadian musical heroes.
Directors
Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen
Writers
Scot McFadyen, Sam Dunn, Mike Munn
Producers
Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, History
Original Language
English
Our People Will Be Healed
Master documentarian Alanis Obomsawin’s 50th film reveals how a Cree community in Manitoba has been enriched through the power of education. The students at a local school for the Norway House Cree Nation discuss their aspirations for the future and reflect on the fact that they are feeling more hopeful and optimistic than previous generations.
By discussing the effects of intergenerational trauma, substance abuse and many other issues facing Indigenous communities, and by learning about their own history and culture, the students are able to undergo a process of collective healing and ensure that growing up doesn’t mean leaving one’s roots behind.
This inspiring doc shows that the strength of the community comes from the people within it, and provides a strong model for prosperity and renewal.
“Our People Will Be Healed breathes with hope for the future.” – Pat Mullen, POV Magazine
Director
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Legendary Abenaki filmmaker Obomsawin has made over 50 documentaries on issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada, including Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, Trick or Treaty?, Is the Crown at War with Us?, Our People Will Be Healed and Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger. Her most recent film is the short documentary Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair. Next, she is set to appear in an episode of Marie Clements' Bones of Crows: The Series.
Writer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Producer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Mother of Many Children
In this first feature from legendary documentarian Alanis Obomsawin, she examines the role of motherhood in Indigenous society and how it has developed in the modern era. In examining the lives of women from birth to old age and all maturing in between, Obomsawin gives an intimate view into the customs, cultures and oral traditions that define these matriarchal societies. Filled with compelling emotional moments, this documentary is a powerful and moving experience.
As the first feature length documentary by an Indigenous woman, Mother of Many Children represents a turning point in Indigenous film, as well as beginning the career of one of Canada’s most important and iconic filmmakers.
Director
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Legendary Abenaki filmmaker Obomsawin has made over 50 documentaries on issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada, including Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, Trick or Treaty?, Is the Crown at War with Us?, Our People Will Be Healed and Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger. Her most recent film is the short documentary Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair. Next, she is set to appear in an episode of Marie Clements' Bones of Crows: The Series.
Writer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Cast
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Producer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven
Archival film, letters, journals and photographs of the artists – some of which have never been seen in public – take the viewers back in time. This film weaves this history with a modern day adventure, up mountains, down canyon rivers and over portages with our trio as they try to achieve their own personal quest: to actually ‘walk in the Group of Seven’s footsteps’.
Director
Phyllis Ellis
Writer
Nancy Lang
Producers
Nancy Lang, Michael Burtch, Gary McGuffin, Joanie McGuffin
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, History
Original Language
English