Director Justin Oakey has been one to watch since his blood feud family drama Riverhead hit FIN two years ago. His pot-boiler slow-burn style is deeply effective, and he gives his actors room to breathe. The way Oakey tells a story is weaving and purposed. Much in the same way I enjoyed Riverhead, A Fire…

The thing about Assholes: A Theory is that it’s not high art, but the way in which it waxes poetic in expletive-laden fashion about its subjects is admirable. The entertaining interview-format documentary — based on philosopher Aaron James’ book — becomes a giggle-inducing meditation on why the public tolerates assholery from the elite. What it…

There’s something to be said for a film whose elegant physical comedy makes me full-out chuckle. It Must Be Heaven is such a film. However, it takes so long to get off the ground that it only manages to save itself — and not exceed expectations — by the end. The film within a film…

I love movies about melancholy, unhappy people. In fact, flicks that centre on complicated, partially unlikable heroes are some of my favourites. And yet, I couldn’t find much to like about central character Colin Burstead here. When introduced to Colin, we’re shown a well-meaning man bringing his family together to celebrate the New Year at…

At first glance, one may think the micro-budget Murmur an odd choice to open FIN this year. Missing is the star power from Maudie or the reverence felt for director Thom Fitzgerald that highlighted the last few opening films. And yet, this exploration of troubled elderly woman Donna and her search for companionship and love…

You won’t have to look closely to spot Taylor Olson either on-screen or off-screen at FIN 2019. He sat near the back of Opening Gala Murmur on Thursday, September 12, assumedly to support local director Heather Young’s first debut feature. He smiled and waved at people around him — comfortably part of the film community…

One only needs to look at the small number of openly gay football and hockey players to realize that being LGBTQ+ remains taboo in the locker room. Now the subject of an intense, hopeful documentary, director Paul Émile d’Entremont has created a work that can give others athletes to idolize. Furthermore, it may give others…

If Baha Men’s 2000’s chart-topper still makes you tap your toes, man, are you ever in for a treat. While I was initially skeptical about whether the copyright of Who Let The Dogs Out? was something I cared about, the passion of documentary subject and song aficionado Ben Sisto reeled me in. Throw in a…

Dr. Shelly Sarwal’s struggle with Multiple System Atrophy, and the way she takes control of her death — and her final months at the same time — is spellbinding. The Halifax physician decides to die through the recently-legalized Medical Assistance in Dying program, and she becomes the first in the province to donate her organs…

The best thing about an intricately-shot documentary like Honeyland is when the director takes their time. There is no rushing to conflict or drama. We get to know protagonist Hatidze, watching her go about her daily life as Europe’s last female beekeeper. We learn about her long before we recognize the central struggle of the…