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Film Review : 24 Frames
Photo: myhotposters.com
Montreal is welcoming the latest addition to it’s cinema family, Cinema Moderne: located in Mile End, and born just this year on September 17th 2018. When walking through its doors, there is an irrepressible feeling of a dream coming into reality. The cinema is comprised of a 50+ seat theatre with a bistro and bar, with promises of many cultural events to come. The cinema’s mission is inclusive and innovative, with an aim to incorporate series into their programming featuring directors from indigenous populations, women and local artists.
Their mission also includes the integration of family friendly events, in hopes to make this cinema accessible to all. The theatre is exciting, new and above all, “moderne”. There seems to be endless possibilities emerging from the space, and I am personally looking forward to their future programming. Last Saturday I saw Abbas Kiarostami’s latest and final work, a meditative and minimalistic piece that seemed to counterbalance the roaring new cinema.
24 Frames is the last work of the irreplaceable cinema auteur Abbas Kiarostami. With it, he leaves the audience with his last expression, a few frames that perhaps summarize the intent of his career and of his minimalistic style.
The film begins with an excerpt explaining the concept of his film. Kiarostami was fascinated by the idea that a painter can only capture one moment in their work. His curiosity then lead him to wonder, what happened just seconds before or after this moment. It is with this speculation that the director began creating his film. Drawing from his past photographic works, Kiarostami used animation to bring these stills to life and to express what could have happened if mere seconds had passed.
All the scenes have a sense of playfulness to them, as if we were exploring the thought process of the director’s mind. It is almost as if there is a dialogue throughout the film, as invisible as one’s own thoughts, but still deeply present. This film is yet another example of the most prominent theme of his work, the concept of the creation of reality. Here, he creates a reality based in the real world and then heightens it with the hand of imagination and computer animation.
With great sadness, with the completion of this film, we realize that we have lost a great artist. The final frame is in fact the last one gifted to us, but there remains a comfort in his enormous body of work. He was a true artist, and up until his last days was re-creating his vision in a new, innovative style. He gave us one more reason to be grateful for the work he has given us.
RALLY FOR CLIMATE CHNAGE IN MTL, NOVA SCOTIA REGULATIONS, COP24
Hosted by Erdene Batzorig
Stories by Erdene Batzorig
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LOCAL
On Saturday, Montrealers joined a worldwide march to bring awareness to climate change during the COP24, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The rally in Montreal included citizens, environmentalists and Indigenous leaders who were protesting the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline.
According to the Montreal Gazette, since its inception in 1950s the Trans Mountain pipeline has been bought by Kinder Morgan and more recently by the federal government.
Protesters said they want the government to actually consider the environmental impact if the federal government decides to expand the pipeline.
Could Nova Scotia’s new alcohol regulations create a domino effect in the rest of the country?
According to Global News, the Maritime province’s decision to remove limits on how much alcohol can be brought into the province for personal consumption has come as a result of a controversial debate at the Supreme Court.
Executive director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, Howard Anglin believes the move could be good for the whole country, “Every province that … moves to reduce friction at our internal provincial borders should be applauded for that and, hopefully, will be an example to other provinces.”
Business owners in other Maritime provinces also believe this move could be a positive change.
INTERNATIONAL
U.S., Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait oppose a special report on climate change at this year’s United Nation Climate Summit.
The report which was commissioned three years ago as part of the Paris Agreement, details what would happen if average global temperatures rise by 1.5 C, and how to ensure they don't go higher.
The CBC reports that nearly all of the 200 countries present were ready to welcome the special report, except the US, and the three other delegates who refused to endorse it.
Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists said, ”I think it was a key moment, the fact that a group of four countries were trying to diminish the value and importance of a scientific report they themselves, with all other countries, requested three years ago in Paris is pretty remarkable."
The four-oil exporting countries objections maybe linked to the suggestion in the report that the use of fossil-fuels be phased out by 2050.
Playboi Carti at MTELUS, Dec. 1 2018
Playboi Carti made a stop in Montreal on Saturday night as part of his Neon Tour, and an eager crowd awaited the artist’s much-delayed performance at MTELUS.
Atlanta native and long-time A$AP Mob affiliate Playboi Carti is on the last stretch of his tour, continuing to promote his debut studio album Die Lit that dropped in May 2018. The album came after the success of Carti’s eponymous debut mixtape, featuring his breakout single “Magnolia” that put eyes on the 22-year-old trap rapper.
With an expected start time of 8:45PM, Carti only got on stage at a late 10:45PM to an impatient, and perhaps slightly annoyed, crowd. However, all tension left the room as the performer walked on stage to “R.I.P Fredo (Notice Me)”. Immediately, the venue erupted into complete carnage as the audience was bulldozed closer and closer to the stage by aggressive fans that were eager to catch a front row view.
The rapper went on to play an unreleased song titled “Cancun” from his recently teased upcoming Whole Lotta Red album. Yet, it was not until the beginning of the third song that Carti demanded everyone open up the crowd and chant along to his “MOSH PIT! MOSH PIT!” request. As the crowd split in two, fans waited for the music to drop as they heard the introduction to “wokeuplikethis*”. From there, anyone that was sucked into the audience had no luck of being reunited with the friends that they came with. Shirts began to come off as men in the crowd could not take the heat that came along with hundreds of aggressive, very sweaty, Carti fans bopping to his greatest hits.
The rapper played a multitude of fan favourites, both old and new. Several tracks were those that featured Lil Uzi Vert verses such as “Shoota” and “Of Course We Ghetto Flowers”. Carti played some of his earliest tracks that put him on the hip hop radar such “Fetti” and “Broke Boi”. For many songs, he played only short snippets as they were tracks assisted by other rappers, such as “Mileage” featuring Chief Keef and “Lean 4 Real” featuring English grime artist Skepta.
While the crowd may have found itself calming down at one point in the night, it was surely due to a sheer depletion of physical energy. Regardless of one’s place in the audience, various different pockets of mosh pits found themselves scattered throughout. Whether it was a group of 10 or a group of 40, one misstep and you may get lost in the chaos with no guarantees of coming back.
As expected, Carti saved the best for last. “Telephone Calls” from A$AP Mob’s Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 led into “Lookin” and of course, “Magnolia” to finish off the night. As dozens of people left throughout the show because they could not keep up with what was to come, the crowd gathered their last remaining energy to rage to the rapper’s 2x platinum hit.
When Carti wrapped up his final track, he ended the night by paying homage to one of 2018’s hip hop martyrs. As he exited the stage, “Take A Step Back” by Ski Mask the Slump God featuring the late XXXTentacion began to play as Carti greeted the fans farewell.
Although a slight delay may have frustrated fans in the beginning, it can only be assumed that the energy Playboi Carti gave out in his hour long set was met with forgiveness by his loyal fans.
Jacob Carey is the host of Trappin' in Traffic, CJLO's newest hip-hop show, every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Energy East pipeline, Gender Biased Violence, Co2 Emissions
Unemployment and immigration, legal age for pot, Trans-Mountain consent
Hosted by Luca Caruso-Moro
Stories by Luca Caruso-Moro
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LOCAL
Last year, Quebec’s unemployment rate dipped to historic lows at 6.1 per cent.
This means most Quebecers who looking for a job in 2017 found one. It also means there are jobs left unfilled across the province.
This is why Trudeau has voiced his concerns about the CAQ’s plan to reduce next year’s immigration acceptance by 10,000 people.
Valerie Plante echoed Trudeau’s concerns.
ANOTHER LOCAL
In other provincial news, Quebec’s National Assembly is voting on raising the legal age to buy pot to 21.
The law would make Quebec’s legal age with regards to weed the highest in the country, while maintaining the lowest age to buy cigarettes and alcohol.
The law would also ban smoking on public streets, parks, and sports fields.
NATIONAL
JUDY WILSON: “When you’re walking about the united nations and you’re going to go along with the self-determination and the consent, why wasn’t that applied with the Trans-Mountain Pipeline that’s going through 513km of our territory?”
That’s Neskonlith First Nation Chief Judy Wilson confronting Trudeau during an Assembly of First Nations conference this week.
Wilson said her nation was not consulted during trans-mountain pipeline negotiations.
Trudeau said his government acknowledges that there was inadequate consultation with first nations regarding the project.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU: “We are in the process now of going back and listening more. But, at the same time, we have to understand that this is a process that we are engaging in in good faith, in full respect. But it is not a process that ever is going to give unanimity.”
Sloan at Cafe Campus, Nov 27 2018
For those looking to relive the 90s, there’s no better news than a 30th anniversary performance possibly in the works of the debut album by Halifax power-pop quartet Sloan. “Four nights at the Foufounes!” bassist Chris Murphy told the crowd, before adding that he hopes to assemble the other acts that played their first Montreal show.
Murphy was joking, of course, because Sloan is nowhere close to being a nostalgia act.
A career spanning close to 30 years, Sloan is one of Canada’s most beloved rock bands. The band formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was the centrepiece of the city’s exploding music scene in the early 90s, which led some music journalists to dub the East coast city “Seattle North.” Sloan signed with Geffen, Nirvana’s label, for the release of their first album, Smeared. It was their second record, Twice Removed, that cemented Sloan’s power pop meets British Invasion sound, departing from their shoegaze-influenced debut. After parting with Geffen, Sloan released a slew of well-received albums and established themselves as an integral part to the story of Canadian rock music.
The CanCon veterans treated its Montreal fans to two sets, starting the show with new single “Spin Our Wheels.” With 12 records, Sloan can pull from a deep catalogue. Songs from Pretty Together, Parallel Play, and Smeared were played, even one rare B-Side, “Step On It, Jean” from Action Pact. Noticeably absent was 1998’s Navy Blues, which contains one of Sloan’s best-known songs, “Money City Maniacs.” Murphy told the audience that the band will be touring the album next year to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
After so many albums and tours, Sloan played nothing but a tight, solid show, save for one honest slip-up from guitarist Patrick Pentland who told the crowd the band hasn’t played a show in two months and they don’t rehearse. If that’s true, then their performance last night is even more impressive. Highlights include a blistering performance of “Underwhelmed,” one of the finest Canadian songs ever, and show closer “The Lines You Amend” off of One Chord To Another. As with any Sloan show, there was a major emphasis on audience participation, to clapping and singing along to major hits such as “The Other Man” and “Everything You’ve Done Wrong.”
Still, Sloan played most of their material from 12, their twelfth record released last April. A band with four songwriters, Sloan changed instruments twice during their two sets to let drummer Andrew Scott sing the lead on his songs. During Scott’s first time up front, he delivered a rockier rendition of his song “Gone for Good,” thanks to Murphy’s surprising mastery behind the kit. He then went immediately into fan favorite “People of the Sky,” proving to the crowd that Sloan is still as strong as they were back when that song was recorded in 1994.
Since Sloan has been around for so long, it’s easy to take them for granted. But that would be a serious mistake and it’s important that listeners take any chance they can to see them live. Here’s looking to 2019 for the Navy Blues Tour.
Image+Nation: Queerment Quebec
Un public enthousiaste a joint les équipes de production de huit courts métrages LGBTQ très variés, tous faits au Québec, le lundi 26 novembre 2018 au Centre Phi, dans le cadre du festival Image+Nation.
«Notre édition 2018 sera la meilleure», a dit d’entrée de jeu Charlie Boudreau, directrice du festival. Ça fait 18 ans qu’Image+Nation donne leur chance à des réalisateurs principalement émergents, alors qu’ils présentent des courts métrages autour de différents thèmes LGBTQ.
«Cette année, c’est exceptionnel, nous avons du refuser le 2/3 de nos soumissions», a-t-elle ajouté. Le public et le nombre de films reçus à «l’évènement le plus successful du festival» grandi à chaque année, et fait la fierté de l’équipe organisatrice, puisqu’il s’agit du seul projet 100% québécois de la semaine. Malgré les trop souvent très petits budgets des productions présentées, la qualité était quand même au rendez-vous, et les propositions furent audacieuses. La directrice était aussi heureuse de recevoir avec elle un délégué du Festival international de films de Kiev. Ce dernier était présent au Centre Phi pour évaluer la qualité des courts métrages proposés et décider s’il allait, pour une deuxième année consécutive, faire une soirée Queerement Québec en Ukraine ! «Ça fait partie du travail qu’on fait, faire voyager nos films partout dans le monde.» a dit la directrice.
Entre chacun des huit films, d’une durée d’environ 10 minutes, Boudreau a pris le temps d’interroger les réalisateurs et réalisatrices ou d’autres membres des équipes de tournage sur leurs processus créatif et leur carrière. «On adore être reçus ici, ce n’est pas tout le monde qui prend le temps de faire ça», a dit Gabrielle Demers, une des réalisatrices en entrevue.
Queerement Québec affichait, pour sa dernière édition, une sélection de thèmes, de langues et de créateurs et créatrices très variés. Presque la moitié des films étaient en anglais ou mettaient en scènes des protagonistes issus de communautés culturelles minoritaires au Québec. L'événement était donc bien à l’image de Montréal, prouvant par le fait même que les enjeux LGBTQ sont universels et qu’ils peuvent liés à des réalités socioculturelles à l’écran.
L’école de cinéma Mel Hoppenheim de l’université Concordia a aussi souvent été mentionnée pendant la soirée. Trois réalisatrices sur huit y avaient étudié en film production, dont deux étaient en train d’y compléter leur baccalauréat.
Giovana Olmos, justement, est étudiante à Concordia et était accompagnée sur scène de Vjosana Shkurti, sa directrice photo, avec laquelle est collabore régulièrement, aussi étudiante en cinéma à Concordia. Ce sont elles qui ont réalisé mon film préféré de la soirée : Silvia dans les vagues. Il s’agit de l’histoire d’une famille noire de Montréal, organisant les funérailles du père, noyé dans un lac ou une rivière du Québec. On comprend, à travers des commentaires du fils, que le père voulait, juste avant de mourir, devenir une femme. Ce projet fût sans doute le mieux réussi visuellement, avec de magnifiques images, surréalistes, de Sylvia au fond de l’eau.
J’ai aussi beaucoup apprécié le premier court de la soirée, Reach the Sky, un stop motion très attachant. On y voyait de petites figurines, qui après s’est métamorphosées et assumées en tant que LGBTQ, rejoignent le ciel et les étoiles, littéralement.
Deux autres films dignes de mention seraient, d’une part, La pornographe, pour son look retro-70’s, le clin d’œil à Blow Up (Antonioni, 1966) et le commentaire sur le mouvement #MeToo; d’autre part, Amies, pour la tension dramatique palpable et le talent des jeunes actrices.
On a déjà hâte à l’édition 2019 de Queerement Québec, où certains réalisateurs de cette année ont promis qu’ils y seraient de retour.
Image+Nation sait certainement dénicher de bons talents de chez nous, qui nous rappellent la pertinence du festival dans son rôle de représentation de la diversité sexuelle et culturelle au grand écran.
Liste complète des films présentés cette année :
- AMIES
Marie Davignon Canada v.o.f 19min 2018 s.t-a. - DANSER SUR LES OS (Dancing around Bones)
Danika Vermette Canada v.o.f 2018 s.t-a. - IS YOUR TEEN A HOMOSEXUAL?
Tamara Scherbak Canada v.o.a. 6min 2018 - L'APPETIT DES GARÇONS (Starving Boys)
Raphaël Massicotte Canada v.o.f 7min 2018 s.-t.a - LA PORNOGRAPHE (The Pornographer)
Gabrielle Demers Canada v.o.a. 11min 2018 s.t-en. - REACH THE SKY
Daniel Sterlin-Altman Canada no dialogue 6min 2018 - SILVIA DANS LES VAGUES (Silvia in the Waves)
Giovana Olmos Canada v.o.f. 13min 2018 s.t-a. - ROSIE
Gail Maurice Canada v.o.f. & a. 15min 2018 s.-t.a.
Olivier Du Ruisseau hosts Friday Franco Show which airs Friday at 1:00 p.m
Image+Nation 2018: Sauvage
Le festival international de films LGBTQ de Montréal, Image+Nation, va encore plus loin pour sa 31e édition, du 22 novembre au 2 décembre 2018. On s’attend à une semaine surprenante et à des films de qualité. D’année en année, les cinéphiles montréalais avides d’une meilleure représentation LGBTQ se donnent rendez-vous au festival qui ne cesse de grandir. Pour constater moi-même l’engouement autour d’Image+Nation, j’ai décidé d’assister à quatre de leurs soirées. J’écrirai donc, au courant de la semaine, quatre critiques de leurs films (ils en présentent 40 en tout) : deux en anglais, deux en français, selon la langue des films choisis, à l’image de l’aspect bilingue et international de l’événement.
Rendez-vous (un peu) manqué pour Sauvage, samedi 24 novembre à l’Impérial
Plutôt que de commencer ma série d’articles avec le très couru film d’ouverture, Plaire, aimer et courir vite, j’ai opté pour la projection de Sauvage, film français, le dernier de la soirée, samedi, à l’impérial. Il s’agit du premier long-métrage de Camille Vidal-Naquet, avec Félix Maritaud dans le rôle principal. On avait découvert l’acteur avec son rôle de Max dans 120 battements par minute l’an dernier, qui avait eu un succès monstre, remportant notamment le Grand Prix à Cannes et le César du meilleur film. On s’attendait donc à un retour prometteur pour Maritaud, qui incarne cette fois Léo, un prostitué de 22 ans, errant, torturé, courant les rues d’une grande ville française aux prises avec des problèmes de santé, de drogues et d’argent.
En effet, l’engouement était là. La salle était pleine à craquer. Le film s’est même généreusement fait applaudir et a reçu de vives réactions, toutes positives, principalement lors de ses quelques scènes où l’intimité frôlait l’absurde. On en devenait parfois déstabilisé. Bon coup, alors, pour Vidal-Naquet qui porte à l’écran le quotidien d’un jeune travailleur du sexe.
Toutefois, pour ceux qui s’attendaient à voir un film original ou réellement représentatif des réalités du milieu, le rendez-vous a été manqué.
«Il ne s’agit pas d’une étude sociologique […] Le réalisateur s’est permis certaines libertés», a d’ailleurs dit Maritaud, monté sur scène à la fin de la soirée, spécialement venu de Paris. Même s’il affirmait aussi que le réalisateur s’était inspiré de réelles histoires d’hommes et de femmes travaillant au tristement célèbre Bois-de-Boulogne, on n’y croyait pas vraiment.
«Si Irène me voyait», a dit un client sexagénaire au garçon «sauvage»… Encore la même histoire. Puis, bien-sûr, des clients arabes à la sexualité refoulée, très exigeants et dominants, refusant de payer pour leurs services. Léo est ensuite tombé amoureux d’un autre homme, lui aussi prostitué, mais hétérosexuel, servant également les clichés, non-seulement de l’amour impossible chez les jeunes gais, mais aussi des «sugar daddies». Ce dernier finit en effet par quitter celui qui l’aimait pour suivre un vieillard richissime en Espagne... «Trouves toi un vieux, c’est ce qui peut nous arriver de mieux», finit-il par lui dire. Il en va de même pour les scènes de fêtes à la discothèque ou lors des discutions entre les travailleurs du sexe, on a l’impression de déjà vu, dans d’autres films, tous un peu déconnectés de la réalité.
L’amalgame de clichés représentés dans Sauvage ont nui à la proposition du film, et semblaient plutôt servir une version fantasmée du monde de la prostitution masculine.
Malgré ses dénouements prévisibles et parfois durs à suivre (le protagoniste s’emmêle dans quatre histoires en même temps), Sauvage finit quand même par plaire. Le film fait preuve d’une photographie bien maîtrisée. Les images et les couleurs reflètent efficacement l’esprit troublé du personnage, brillamment joué par Maritaud.
Si Camille Vidal-Niquet avait traité de son sujet différemment, j’aurais assurément préféré son film qui, tout de même, débute joliment sa carrière de cinéaste.
Le court-métrage présenté juste avant, Wren boys, de Harry Lighton, mériterait aussi d’être salué. Représentant avec justesse, en 10 minutes qu’on ne voit pas passer, le mariage entre un prisonnier et un civil, il a su être drôle et touchant, là où on ne s’y attendait pas. Il mérite clairement sa nomination aux BAFTA.
Restez à l’affût, mes prochains articles concerneront Queerement Québec, lundi le 26, Postcards from London, jeudi 29, puis Mapplethorpe, vendredi le 30.
Olivier Du Ruisseau hosts Friday Franco Show which airs Friday at 1:00 p.m
ALLOWANCE INCREASE, POLICE BRUTALITY IN THUNDER BAY, PARIS RIOTS
Hosted by Erdene Batzorig
Stories by Erdene Batzorig
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LOCAL
Maybe it’s the holiday spirit, or maybe it’s the CAQ government’s way of attracting good press, but Finance Minister Éric Girard is set to announce a new plan to strengthen Quebec’s family allowance on Monday.
According to the Montreal Gazette, the increase will phased in over four years.
The allowance will allow the second and third-born child to receive the same allowance as the first born. This change was one of the major promises of the CAQ’s campaign.
The update is also expected to include fiscal measures to help seniors and the daycare system.
NATIONAL
A Thunder Bay police officer was captured on video slapping and screaming at an Indigenous teen girl while she was strapped down in a gurney.
In the 21-second video, the officer can be heard telling the girl not to resist, and that they’re only taking her to the hospital.
According to APTN News, the paramedics were called to a party at 6pm for a medical emergency.
In a press release by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said, “We are outraged by the actions of the officer depicted in this video. We do not know all of the details that led to this incident, but there is simply no justification for such violent and callous treatment of a youth in a defenseless position.”
The NAN press release also mentioned the Thunder Bay police are investigating the incident.
INTERNATIONAL
Charred cars, broken glasses and graffiti engulfed the city of Paris on Saturday as demonstrators protested against tax raises for the third weekend in a row.
Rabah Mendez, a protester who participated in the demonstration said, ”It's difficult to reach the end of the month. People work and pay a lot of taxes and we are fed up.”
According to the Associated Press, the grassroots protest began on November 17th with motorists marching against the fuel tax hike but it grew to include the larger Parisian population protesting against the high living costs and taxes.
The riot has resulted in approximately 133 injuries, and hundreds of arrests.
But for now, it remains unknown whether or not the French government will take the demands of the ordinary people to heart.
STM Ridership, Fed Support for Francophones, Blue Energy
Hosted by Luca Caruso-Moro
Stories by Luca Caruso-Moro
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LOCAL
More people are riding the metro than ever.
The CBC reports ridership hit 1 million passengers multiple times in October.
The STM has promised an increase in spending on bus and metro services, and STM Chair Philippe Schnobb told the CBC that a new line may be necessary.
NATIONAL
FRANÇOIS LEGAULT “In Quebec I have the responsibility of giving services to anglophones. We have three anglophone universities, we have a large hospital, McGill hospital, specially for for anglophones. I would have liked to have a francophone University in Ontario”
That’s Premier Legault reacting to Doug Ford’s decision to cut funding for french language education in Ontario.
DOUG FORD “WE have 300 courses that are not being filled, french language courses. It’s totally irresponsible from the previous government. If anyone has a complaint, they should call Kathleen Wynne’s office.”
Now Trudeau is stepping in.
He’ll meet with leaders of the 3 opposition parties to discuss ways to support francophones and the french language across Canada.
INTERNATIONAL
MIKE SONKO “It is my pleasure to join you for this important conference that seeks to explore the social and economic potential of our oceans, lakes, rivers, and all water bodies.”
That’s Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, greeting Canada and 150 other countries at a conference in Nairobi this week.
World leaders discussed the potential of harnessing bodies of water as a source of sustainable energy.
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