happy canada day.

I will never understand how caesars are only essential for Canadians.

heart breaker.

In a recent interview for thefabric katie boland is asked "what is the worst thing that has happened to you that most inspired you?" her answer genuinely brought me to tears on a level I can relate far too well. I always wonder if I find someone to keep me at home more, will I lose this fascination for all things love?

she answers "heartbreak. everything... man, I have so much in my life because of being heart broken. I owe pretty much how my life looks right now to having my heart broken. I took one of my old boyfriends out for lunch recently and thanked him so much for everything because without him I never would about started writing, I feel like I have a deeper understanding about myself and the world and a bunch of other bs about becoming a better artist... when you are heart broken especially for the first time, you think that nothing will ever make you feel better and so to know that you can get through that it was such a learning experience for me. and makes me feel really optimistic about the future. so thank you men"

watch the beautiful video on thefabric and read more of katie's wisdomosity here.
photo credit: arden wray

exotica: canadian film review.

I really enjoyed Atom Egoyan's Exotica (1994), I found it to be a very interesting story line that at no point spoon fed the audience. The narrative focuses on a nightclub in Toronto and it's owners, patrons and primary dancer (played by my favorite - Jennifer Connelly) and their intermingling plots. This is an excellent reflection of Canadian film in so many ways. Our ability to tackle the “exotic” if you will.

The story overlaps then breaks apart and re mingles connecting the dots. -Exotica both teases and in a sense educates- stripping away the layers. Healing and therapy are also major themes: “this place is for entertainment- healing should be sought elsewhere” Zoe. Watching the girls soothe clients soothes him too” in regards to Eric.

There is a considerable stretch of time elapses before its coolly juxtaposed scenes start to clearly connect mobilizing suspense. Egoyan uses ritual and repetition, from words spoken to actions made to images shown. Like a mirror image they repeat themselves,sometimes even doubling- like Thomas visiting the club for Francis whose fantasy investment in he club makes presence there a necessity even if it’s through a double.
The viewed object is not only taboo- a hand repeatedly blocks the camera’s view of a grainy clip finally revealed to be revealed as one of Lisa and her mother- too precious to touch. Exotica rehearses the concern with touch
“Everybody Knows- you can look but you can’t touch”

image source: http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0170.jpg

rude:canadian film review.

I found the film Rude (1995), to not only be an excellent critical look at the Jane and Finch area and the struggle between the law enforcement and the criminals; but it gave a deep look at the struggle of marginalized groups. Not only was there a lot of critique of poor black individuals, but also it went further and looked at the marginalized groups within that group. For example it portrayed not just low-income black men, but as criminals. It used the Gaze on the black women with the constant use of the unwanted video filming, extreme violation of personal privacy and the scene of attempted rape at the end. Finally, portrayed lower in marginalization than the black woman, is the gay black man. Of course at the top of the entire hierarchy, is the white man, the puppeteer above it all.

Image credit: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2483067904/tt0114305