Bytowne
325 Rideau St.
(613) 789-Film
Ottawa
Still Mine
Directed by
Michael McGowan
102 minutes, 2012
Canada
James
Cromwell and Genevičve Bujold
Friday, May
17-Thursday, May 30, 2013
Note: No screening on Thursday, May 23
There’s something to be said about persistence.
Some people know what they want and stick to it
– risking all.
“Still Mine” is about getting older and facing
limitations. The Morrison’s, Craig and Irene,
face life changes. Irene shows signs of
Alzheimer’s. Craig needs to find ways to protect
her. At times, the film is predictable
regarding the process of Alzheimer’s, but it is
also full of surprises, twists and turns that
keep us interested.
The acting is superb; casting choices
excellent. Genevičve Bujold (Irene) gives an
outstanding portrayal of a senior experiencing
obstacles she doesn’t always understand or
remember. The talented James Cromwell (Craig),
is inspiring as her husband, devoted to the
well-being of his wife. As a solution to their
new challenges, Craig decides to build a new
house on his country farmland – a one-story home
where his wife can be safe from second floor
falls. He’s a skilled carpenter, so this seems
to be a good decision.
There are the usual exchanges with adult
children who are very concerned about their
parents who live alone on a farm. Craig can
handle that, but when he starts building without
the required permits, he gets into trouble with
an insensitive government bureaucrat Rick
(Jonathan Potts) who reads off construction
rules like an automaton. Potts skillfully plays
a very dislikeable character. To fight “City
Hall,” Craig hires his long-time friend/lawyer
Gary (the engaging Campbell Scott, son of George
C. Scott and Colleen Dewhurst).
“Still Mine”
is an emotional film, but it’s also uplifting
because a determined individual with a
meritorious cause is someone to celebrate.
It is important to note that the film is based
on a true New Brunswick story. The real Craig
Morrison built things for 70 years.
Director Michael
McGowan has conscientiously told his story with
care and concern.
See the film. It’s about self-reliance and
freedom, and it’s a wonderful love story.
Trailer
Review by Lois Siegel
_______________________________________________
Bytowne
325 Rideau St.
(613) 789-Film
Ottawa
The Gatekeepers
Directed by
Dror Moreh
97 Minutes, 2012
Israel |
France |
Germany |
Belgium
Documentary
Sunday, May 19, 9:15 p.m.; Monday 20, 1:30
p.m.
2013
You've probably heard of the Israeli secret
service, but I doubt if you know many details as
to how this organization works. The Shin
Bet Intelligence Agency's
operatives have never been interviewed about
their work before. "The Gatekeepers" reveals the
story from the "Six-Days-War" (1967) until now
as witnessed by six former heads of the
institution. You probably won't recognize their
names, and the film footage jumps back and
forth, so even when viewing the film, you are
not always sure who is who, but the history
becomes clearer because of behind-the-scenes
details
as to what really happened.
Essentially, the leaders objectives were to keep
Israeli's safe, and this was definitely not an
easy task. Peace never lasts long in the Middle
East. The Palestinian/Israeli situation is
rife with conflict. Through black and white
archival footage, we
directly witness a variety of
confrontations, as the operatives explain what
took place and the decisions they made.
Shin Bet's
job was to hunt terrorists and to prevent
attacks. Their goal: to reduce 20 attacks a week
to 20 a year.
Avraham Shalom
Ethics and morality posed constant dilemmas.
There were always different shades of
grey as to what should be done. Decisions often
had to be made in seconds. The operations
weren't always clean. Sometimes innocent
bystanders were killed. These leaders had
tremendous power to take lives.
They did extensive research, and they also
learned to speak Arabic.
Their methods were systematic and
well-organized.
When they captured suspects, they knew how
to make them give up information: sleep
deprivation, forced painful positions, heads
shaken. They knew how to convince someone to
betray their country.
They zeroed in on the weaknesses of their
targets: a mother, child or father.
Morality
wasn't always part of the picture.
Israel is comprised of different factions. There
are the extremist rabbis and illegal West Bank
settlement activists. Witness: the 1995
assignation of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a
young religious Zionist.
People always want revenge. Suicide bombers
began to invade with bomb belts. Situations
became frustrating. They warn: you can win
the victory but lose the war.
Los Angeles Film
Critics Association Award: Best Documentary Film
Best Nonfiction Film 2012:
National Society of Film Critics.
Nominated: Academy Award
for Best Documentary Feature, 2012
Trailer
Review by Lois Siegel |
The Mayfair
1074 Bank
St.
Directed by Nick Brandestini
86 minutes, 2011
November 9 - 11, 2012
Most of us live in cities filled with
shopping centers, gas stations,
restaurants, movie theatres.
Imagine living in a place where there were
no services.
Welcome to Darwin.
Population 35
Rod Serling would have liked this place.
It's sort of like the "Twilight Zone."
Darwin, California is near Death Valley.
It's desolate, isolated.
Even the cops stay away.
Darwin was named after a physician and
prospector - 1874.
Silver was discovered in the area.
In 1877, the population was 3,500.
It was known as being vibrant, drunken, and
dangerous.
Hookers, booze, gun fights.
There are lots of retired folk in Darwin;
some with shady pasts.
They've been jailbirds, miners, married 4 or
5 times.
There's a son who used to be a daughter.
Everyone has a personal reason for living
there.
But if you are patient, you will also
discover that some do have
talents. One man is an outstanding sculptor.
They live in trailers and run-down homes.
It feels like a different century.
But they are resourceful in their own ways:
Everyone donated books for a library
situated in one of the trailers.
Oh, there is a US post office. It's a
gathering place every day,
except Sunday, at 11:30 a.m. when the mail
arrives.
"This is rush hour central," the postmaster
says.
"I know more about people than I want to
know."
It's the only 'job' in town.
There's no such thing as a mayor,
but they do have town meetings, of sorts.
Darwin is a film about people's lives.
The Jones tell us their first date was at
McDonalds.
It's a curious film.
Trailer
Review by Lois Siegel
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07.02.2011
Ottawa, Canada
Contact:
Danny McLeod T: +1 613 282-3858 E:
danm@qpictures.com
NATIONAL CAPITAL TO BE MOVIE SET OF
NEW DARK COMEDY
•
Quiet Revolution Pictures, Majika Pictures and Denmark's
Fridthjof Films with the support of
Telefilm Canada and The Danish Film Institute will be filming
the feature-length dark comedy,
"Eddie" in the Nation’s Capital.
Photo by Lois Siegel
Miriam
Nřrgaard
and Michael Dobbin
Producers
Photo by Lois Siegel
Boris Rodriguez, Director
•
Starring Thure Lindhart (Angels
& Demons, Into The Wild), Georgina Reilly (Pontypool,
This Movie is Broken),
Al Goulem (18 to Life, The Trotsky) and Dylan Smith (300,
Love & Savagery).
Production is scheduled to begin February 7, 2011.
Quiet Revolution Pictures:
www.qrpictures.com
Fridthjof Films:
http://www.f-film.com
Telefilm Canada:
www.telefilm.gc.ca/data/communiques/rel_1016.asp
Ottawa, ON Canada, February
7, 2011 –the Nation’s
Capital is being transformed into the set of a twisted, dark-comedy
movie entitled "Eddie." The satirical story is about a once-famous
painter who rediscovers inspiration after he befriends a
sleepwalking cannibal. Telefilm Canada and the Danish Film Institute
have partially funded the project to be directed by Boris Rodriguez
(Havana Kids, Beso Nocturno) and produced by Ottawa native
Michael A. Dobbin (The Devil’s Curse, Powerful: Energy for
Everyone, The Maiden Dance to Death) and Ronnie Fridthjof (Armadillo,
Tempo). “The National Capital Region is the ideal setting for
this movie. I’m really looking forward to working here,” says Boris.
Photo by Lois Siegel
Michael Dobbin, Producer
Director Boris Rodriguez is a graduate of Concordia University and
the Canadian Film Centre. Boris’ films
Beso Nocturno (Night Kiss)
and Perfect
both had premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival
(TIFF) and Beso
Nocturno was
selected for a retrospective at the Museum Of Modern Art in New
York.
Michael’s past
work as a producer includes Toni Harman's debut horror entitled
The Devil's Curse (aka Credo), (currently available
through Lionsgate and iTunes), David Chernushenko’s
Powerful: Energy for Everyone as well as Endre Hules'
The Maiden Danced to Death. Michael was mentored by
BAFTA-winning producer of East is East, Leslee
Udwin. He’s an alumnus of the film programme of Ryerson. In October
2006, Michael founded the ‘Just Watch Me!’ Canadian Film Festival
and as a story editor, script doctor and lecturer is in steady
demand on both sides of the Atlantic.
For further
information:
Lois Siegel, Unit Publicist: >>>>>>>
Danny McLeod, Assistant Producer + 613 282-3858
danm@qrpictures.com |
|
Ottawa International Animation Festival
Teen Filmmaker First Local
to Win
at Ottawa International Animation Festival
ŠPhoto by Lois Siegel
Will
Inrig's short, animated film
"The Depose of Bolskivoi Hovhannes" won the
Adobe Prize for High School Animation
This is his first animated film and
tells the story of a humble shepherd
on a wind-swept heath in Armenia, whose sheep begin to conspire against him.
Inrig gained significant attention last
summer with his debut feature documentary film
"The
Exceptional Jivatma Valettas"
that chronicles his
very eccentric next-door
neighbours.
The film premiered at
the Library and Archives Canada.
He is currently working on another feature documentary
"The Fantastic Ballet of the Mind and Its Master," exploring the inner
fantasies of the autistic mind.
The film is inspired by his younger brother
who has been diagnosed with severe autism.
Inrig is working with
the National Film Board of Canada through
the assistance of Oscar-winning producer Adam Symansky.
Acting as the film’s executive producer is renowned Canadian filmmaker
and Order of Canada recipient Allan King ("Warrendale," "A Married
Couple").
Inrig is mentored by Order of
Canada recipient Alanis Obomsawin,
one of Canada’s most distinguished documentary
filmmakers
and Ottawa filmmaker Lois Siegel.
Inrig's first dramatic feature about an
enigmatic alien landing in northern Ontario,
is also being supported by the
National Film
Board of Canada
"The Depose of Bolskivoi
Hovhannes" was made as part of
Canterbury High School's Media Arts Program
YouTube
Director: Will Inrig
Camera: Gordon Bailey
AUDIO: Will Inrig talks to All in a Day host Adrian Harewood on CBC Radio
July 23, 2008 |
