Canada shines at Cinéfest Sudbury

Story by Rod Charles
Vacay.ca Deputy Editor

SUDBURY, ONTARIO — The 29th edition of the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival kicks off today with a hearty helping of Canadian films.

Seeing Canadians on the big screen, and working on films behind the scenes, is an excellent way to celebrate Canada’s 150th year. Opening night at Science North Special Exhibit Hall will feature the film Long Time Running which chronicles the lead up to Canadian band The Tragically Hip’s now-legendary 2016 ‘Man Machine Poem’ farewell tour. Lead singer Gord Downie was diagnosed with glioblastoma — the most common and aggressive type of tumour to start in the brain.

Read about The Tragically Hip’s Tour on Vacay.ca: “Gord Downie’s courage powers Hip tour“

Some movies being showcased at Cinéfest in the North Stars category are Indian Horse, Mobile Homes and Poor Agnes.  One film to check out in this category is Pyewacket, a story about a frustrated girl who attempts an occult ritual in order to kill her mother but awakens something sinister in the woods instead. Let There Be Light will be a popular film in the Cana-Doc category while Cardinals and Hollow in the Land are two films on display in Canadian Features category.

The Monday Night Gala will feature the film Call Me By Your Name, a sensual and transcendent tale of first love, based on the acclaimed novel by André Aciman.

One thing I always seem to manage to do whenever I participate in a film festivals is watch animations and cartoons (yes I know, nerd) so I recommend The Breadwinner. Based on Canadian author Deborah Ellis’ bestselling book, The Breadwinner tells the story of a 12-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001.

There are several outstanding international contributions to check out in Sudbury as well. Films that should make a huge splash is the UK film God’s Own Country; a film from Canada and The Netherlands called Tulipani, Love, Honour and a Bicycle and Canadian film Black Cop starring Ronnie Rowe Junior.

If you enjoy war movies there are several to see in Sudbury including Darkest Hour (Gary Oldman as Churchill, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James), a Canadian film about former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The movie focuses on his reluctance to embark on a large-scale campaign in Normandy, his disagreements with other allied leaders, and the support he receives from his devoted wife. Another Canadian film is Trench 11 which tells the story of a a shell-shocked tunneller who must lead an Allied team into a hidden German base against a terrifying biological weapon 100 hundred feet below the earth.

Set during the turmoil and despair of World War II, Un sac de billes (A Bag of Marbles) tells the true story of two young French Jewish boys as they flee from the impending Nazi occupation. In Syria (Insyriated) is about a mother of three who is trapped inside her own home as the city around her is reduced to rubble.

A good film festival always brings a little history to it. This year, visitors to Cinéfest can enjoy The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This classic film by Mike Nichols’s won an Oscar for Best Director, a Grammy for Best Original Score, and 5 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture.

MORE ABOUT CINÉFEST SUDBURY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 

Website: http://www.cinefest.com/en
Dates:  September 16th to 24th
Film Schedule: Click here
Tickets: Click here