Interest: Literary Adaptation
Alias Grace
Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s Giller prize-winning novel of the same name, this miniseries has received universal acclaim, earning 5 Canadian Screen Awards including best limited series.
Director
Mary Harron
Harron is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter, and former entertainment critic. She gained recognition for her role in writing and directing several independent films, including writing I Shot Andy Warhol, and co-writing as well as directing American Psycho. Her most recent film, Daliland starring Sir Ben Kingsley, premiered at TIFF 2022.
Writer
Sarah Polley
Cast
Edward Holcroft, Rebecca Liddiard, Sarah Gadon
Producers
Sarah Polley, D. J. Carson
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, Female Filmmaker, History, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
The Closer You Get To Canada
Director
John Bolton
Writers
John Bolton, Thomas King
Cast
Alex Diakun, Gordon Tootoosis (Cree)
Producer
Les Lukacs
Genre
Comedy
Interest
Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
The Cinnamon Peeler
Director
Veronica Tennant
Writer
Michael Ondaatje
Cast
Gail Skrela, Sean Ling, Michael Ondaatje
Producers
Peter Gentile, Veronica Tennant
Genre
Experimental
Interests
Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Blind Vaysha
In this metaphoric tale of timeless wisdom and beauty based on the eponymous short story by Georgi Gospodinov, filmmaker Theodore Ushev reminds us of the importance of keeping our sights on the present moment.
Director
Theodore Ushev
Writers
Georgi Gospodinov, Theodore Ushev
Cast
Caroline Dhavernas
Producers
Marc Bertrand, Julie Roy
Genres
Animation, Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Global Experiences, Literary Adaptation
Original Languages
English, French
Bam
Director
Howie Shia
Writer
Howie Shia
Producers
Maral Mohammadian, Michael Fukushima
Genres
Animation, Drama
Interests
Literary Adaptation, Sports
Original Language
English
Tropical Rumours
Directors
Veronica Tennant, Michael Ondaatje
Cast
Margie Gillis, Paola Styron
Genre
Experimental
Interests
Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
No Dialogue
Who Has Seen the Wind
Director
Allan King
Writer
Patricia Watson
Cast
Brian Painchaud, Douglas Junor, Patricia Hamilton, Gordon Pinsent, Chapelle Jaffe
Producer
Pierre Lamy
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, History, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Short Film Programme
If you’d like to show several short films together as a programme, please feel free to get in touch for advice and tips on selecting the perfect combination for your needs.
Director
Shorts Programme
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Classics, Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Discrimination, Environment, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Literary Adaptation, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Sports, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, French
When young Leon (Hewlett) forms a bond with an anatomy doll he calls Pin, his father (O’Quinn) doesn’t give it much thought, seeing it as a typical childhood imaginary friend. But after both of Leon’s parents are killed in a car accident, his attachment grows into a dangerous level of fixation, and he begins to employ the doll in increasingly horrific ways. This incredible piece of psychological horror will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A cult favourite among horror fans but currently out of print, we’re pleased to offer a rare chance to see Pin in honour of its 35th anniversary.
“A cool, bloodless, well-made thriller with a taste for the quietly bizarre.” – Janet Maslin, The New York Times
Director
Sandor Stern
Writer
Sandor Stern
Cast
David Hewlett, Cynthia Preston, Terry O'Quinn, Bronwen Mantel
Producer
René Malo
Genre
Horror
Interests
Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Margaret’s Museum
As she mourns her losses, Margaret meets and falls in love with Neil (Russell), a bagpipe player who is just as disdainful of the local industry as she is. While Neil vows to find work outside of the mines, it proves tragically difficult for the couple to escape the realities of living in a mining community.
This critically acclaimed adaptation — featuring Genie Award–winning performances by Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Nelligan and Kenneth Welsh — is emotionally intense and deeply affecting.
Director
Mort Ransen
Ransen was a film and television director, editor and screenwriter with a career spanning several decades. He directed many shorts such as The Circle and You Are on Indian Land, and features, including Christopher’s Movie Matinee, Bayo, Falling Over Backwards, Margaret’s Museum (which won a Genie for best screenplay), Touched, and Bastards. He passed away in 2021.
Writers
Sheldon Currie, Gerald Wexler, Mort Ransen
Cast
Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Nelligan, Clive Russell, Kenneth Welsh
Producers
Steve Clark-Hall, Mort Ransen, Christopher Zimmer, Claudio Luca
Genre
Drama
Interest
Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English