“The Story of the Fish Girl” is a fantastical tale, told in the style of the silent cinema, about a young woman’s desire to escape her repressive existence, and discover independence and meaning in her life. Her transformation into a fish leads her on a journey of self-realization through the sewers of New York. Passive and naive, the fish girl swims without direction, unable to realize her goal of personal and spiritual fulfillment in the patriachal/animal world of the sewer system. The use of colour through hand-tinting techniques, superimposed over the B&W narrative, creates a visual space full of energy and movement that is distinct from that of the story. The abstracted colour further illustrates the fish girl’s perception of reality, and the physical and social space through which she travels.
Filter Films
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This life is passing… Memories soon to fade among the final synapses of a fleeting mind. “thrU” represents the lifecycle of an individual’s unconscious reflections, memories and thoughts. Created through the integration of stop-motion, live action and cameraless filmmaking, “thrU” continues to explore the mixed medium approach to filmmaking that reveals the many layers of a world yet unseen.
thrU
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Made entirely from old classroom instructional films, “Dangling Participle” offers a wealth of practical advice on contemporary sexual hangups and where they come from. A collage of dating, anti-smoking, sex education, and family life films from the late 50s and early 60s, intent on convincing us that the surreal is “perfectly normal.”
Dangling Participle
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“King of the Jews” is a film about fear and transcendence. Utilizing Hollywood movies, 1950s educational films, personal home movies and religious films spanning the history of cinema, the filmmaker depicts his childhood fear of Jesus Christ. These childhood recollections are a point of departure for larger issues, including the roots of Christian anti-Semitism and the need for forgiveness and healing.
King of the Jews
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“The ‘Yeah Whatever’ Girl” is a dramatic comedy delving into the romantic misadventures of Debbie – a cranky and bitter lesbian who has lost in love just one too many times. It is the eve of Gay Pride Day in Toronto as the film begins. In a humorously self-acknowledged homage to Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, Debbie’s recently deceased Grandmother has decided to intervene. Not only must Debbie mend her ways, but she must mend her heart. Over the course of the night, her Grandmother tells her, Debbie will be visited by three ghosts. And so the fun begins. First is the Ghost of Lovers Past. And with her she brings several of Debbie’s ex-lovers to party & roast Debbie. The Ghost then leads her on a journey of remembrance – from cock-eyed optimist to jaded grump. Secondly is the Ghost of Lovers Present – bubble baths, chocolate covered strawberries, and masturbation comprise a date with herself she’ll never forget. And lastly, the Ghost of Lovers Future. On the other side of the coin is Debbie’s exuberant roommate Penny. Fast approaching the end of her rope, Penny decides that in order to make her own life more tranquil, she must fix Debbie’s – by getting her laid! Will it be ‘dial-a-date’, ‘Yahoo! personals’, or simply picking someone up on the patio of a local bar? Who can say? “The ‘Yeah Whatever’ Girl” is a film about being able to laugh at one’s self. About fun and fear, panic and letting go. It is a film about remembering that life is wonderful. And that love is grand. Especially self-love.
‘Yeah Whatever’ Girl, The
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In this short bittersweet drama, a young man is accompanied by his friends in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. The good looks of the paramedic distract them from the tension and awkwardness of not knowing what to say. As they arrive at the hospital, everyone is reminded that this may be their last goodbye.
Parting Words (Derniers mots)
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“The further away you go, the closer to home you get… It is true by way of geography…” Now that she has traveled land and sea, little Romny is about to meet the 360th degree of her trajectory. She reflects upon her journey and faces her duty to carry on.
Occupant, The
