By George Kozera

After a 50-year career with the National Ballet of Canada (first as a dancer then as the company’s Artistic Director), Prima Ballerina Karen Kain chose Swan Lake as her retirement project. Under the skillful eye of Director Chelsea McMullan, SWAN SONG is an intimate and fascinating Documentary that takes the viewer into the world of Ballet; an artform that gets the cinematic short shrift when compared to other entertainment-based industries. Actress Neve Campbell has signed on as Executive Producer.

Karen Kain has been in the public eye since she received worldwide acclaimed for her performance in Swan Lake in 1971. Her ease and demeanour in front of the camera is impeccable, engaging the audience with the minutiae of choreographing and directing a classic piece. There also is an acknowledgment of the racial diversity within the ballerinas, and a decision for them not to wear the traditional pink tights but show their skin colours. I particularly loved Kain’s story of how Rudolf Nureyev whisked her off to a party where she was overwhelmed with being in the centre of celebrities and bowls of cocaine then taken aside by Andy Warhol who made her pose a certain way, snap a Polaroid and ultimately making her the first Canadian to be immortalized on canvas by the Artist.  

Kain is not the only focal point of SWAN SONG. Many young ballerinas talk about their dreams, insecurities, triumphs while we watch their gruelling rehearsals and preparations. The insight provided the Principal Ballerina for this production of the Ballet, Jurgita Dronina, is invaluable as it graphically shows us the toll dancing takes on the body.

I was transfixed throughout SWAN SONG and will admit to shedding a few tears of awe and wonderment.

SWAN SONG screens at TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 9 at Roy Thomson Hall, 2PM

Monday, September 11 at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 8:30PM

Friday, September 15 at Scotiabank, 1PM

Premiering at TIFF ’23, SWAN SONG gets a new Trailer premiere today! The Film saw Actress Neve Campbell sign-on as Executive Producer recently.

An expanded four-part limited series will premiere on
CBC Gem and CBC TV November 22, 2023

Synopsis:

SWAN SONG immerses viewers inside one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement. With full access granted to the filmmakers, the verité-driven documentary closely follows Karen Kain and a group of young dancers drawn from across The National Ballet of Canada’s ranks, weaving Swan Lake’s dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjects’ personal lives as they push toward one of the most significant nights in their company’s history. The film’s intimate, character-driven approach chronicles creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal sacrifices amongst its subjects who, in various ways, confront ideals of race, class and body standards as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued uniformity and compliance.

Directed by: Chelsea McMullan
Produced by: Sean O’Neill
Written by: Chelsea McMullan & Sean O’Neill
Executive Producers: Sean O’Neill, Chelsea McMullan, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Anna Godas, Oli Harbottle, Neve Campbel
Producer: Christina Carvalho
Directors of Photography: Tess Girard & Shady Hanna
Edited by: Brendan Mills
Additional Editing: Sabrina Budiman, John Gallagher
Original Score by: Katie Stelmanis

(Photo/video credit: Visitor Media)

SWAN SONG, a feature documentary that immerses viewers inside The National Ballet of Canada as it mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement, will make its world premiere at TIFF. Executive producer Neve Campbell is expected to attend the Festival in support of the film, which will screen as part of the Special Presentations program. SWAN SONG is directed by Chelsea McMullan (Ever Deadly, My Prairie Home), who wrote the film with producer Sean O’Neill (Crystal Pite: Angels’ Atlas, LIDO TV). Distributed in Canada by Blue Ice Docs, with international sales handled by Dogwoof, the feature documentary will be released theatrically in Canada on September 22, 2023. The project was developed with CBC and it will air as a four-part limited series on CBC Gem and CBC TV, premiering November 22, 2023.

“This project is deeply personal to me given my longtime admiration for Karen Kain and The National Ballet of Canada, starting with my time as a student at Canada’s National Ballet School,” said Neve Campbell, who joined the project as it entered production and this year celebrates the twentieth anniversary of The Company, the Robert Altman-directed ballet film she conceived of, produced and starred in. “Ballet was my first love, and SWAN SONG beautifully captures the incredible devotion, artistry and sacrifices that dancers make in their pursuit of creating something beautiful and meaningful. I’m so proud of our team and I can’t wait to celebrate the film.”

With full access granted to the filmmakers, the verité-driven SWAN SONG closely follows Kain and a group of young dancers drawn from across The National Ballet of Canada’s ranks, weaving Swan Lake’s dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjects’ personal lives as they push toward one of the most significant nights in their company’s history. The film’s intimate, character-driven approach chronicles creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal sacrifices amongst its subjects who, in various ways, confront ideals of race, class and body standards as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued uniformity and compliance.

“I’m so pleased that Swan Song will premiere at TIFF, and that the wonderful Neve Campbell is a part of the film’s team. Agreeing to open up the creative process of a brand new production of Swan Lake to a crew of filmmakers was a vulnerable act, to say the least,” says Kain, who stepped into the role of Director for the first time in her nearly 50-year career as a dancer and Artistic Director with her production of Swan Lake. “However, the film’s extraordinary crew made the process far more intuitive than I expected and by the end, it felt as if we were all in it together. I look forward to celebrating the film and everyone involved this fall, most especially the extraordinary artists and staff at The National Ballet of Canada who brought Swan Lake to life.”

“Making Swan Song has been an epic, three-year journey and I’m thrilled to finally be sharing the film with audiences, at TIFF and beyond,” says McMullan. “Collaborating with such a talented, dedicated team to realize a project so ambitious has changed me as a filmmaker, and Neve’s sensitivity and deep understanding of the life of a ballet dancer has enriched our process immeasurably. I want to thank our subjects and The National Ballet of Canada for trusting us with their awe-inspiring work and moving stories.”

SWAN SONG is a Visitor Media production in association with Mercury Films Inc. and Quiet Ghost. It is presented by Blue Ice Docs and Dogwoof. O’Neill produces along with Christina Carvalho. McMullan, O’Neill, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle are executive producers alongside Campbell. SWAN SONG was produced in association with CBC, Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, and the Rogers Cable Network Fund. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual, & Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; Sandra Kleinfeld is Senior Director, Documentary; and Grazyna Krupa is Executive in Charge of Programming, Unscripted Content.

(Photo credit: Tiziano Lugli)

Paramount Pictures Canada and Spyglass Media Group x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see SCREAM.

Screenings take place January 12, 2022 at 7 PM at International Village Cinemas in Vancouver and Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton in Edmonton. We had anticipated additional screenings in other cities, however this has changed in light of recent public health announcements.

Synopsis:

Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”), Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) and David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) return to their iconic roles in Scream alongside Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.

A new Featurette for you to check out!

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate on the comments there your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

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Paramount Pictures Canada and Spyglass Media Group release SCREAM January 14, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Check-out these new character posters for eagerly-awaited SCREAM!

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”), Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) and David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) return to their iconic roles in Scream alongside Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.

Paramount Pictures Canada release SCREAM January 14, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

This brand-new Featurette from eagerly-awaited SCREAM, introducing us to the returning and new generation of characters tormented by Ghostface!

Synopsis:

Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”), Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) and David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) return to their iconic roles in Scream alongside Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.

SCREAM is in theatres via Paramount Pictures Canada January 14, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

I don’t think your ready for this. Just kidding! You totally are. Here is the new Trailer for SCREAM, coming to theatres early next year.

Synopsis:

Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”), Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) and David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) return to their iconic roles in Scream alongside Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.

Paramount Pictures Canada and Spyglass Media Group release SCREAM January 14, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada/Spyglass Media Group)

It’s officially TIFF ’19 and what a day it’s been. We’ve been up and on our feet having a blast. See what we were up to!

A highlight every year is attending NKPR’s IT Lounge, which also is brought to us by the Producer’s Ball. Tons of amazing goodies which will be enjoyed by several stars TIFF ’19 and this is where Rolling Stone Magazine portraits will be shot during the Festival.

Hover on the right of each album to navigate slideshows.

 

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Always an amazing time at @natashankpr’s #NKPRIT19 Lounge! Celebs like Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and more can expect to have their portrait taken for #RollingStone there this year! Plus amazing goodies from #OGXBeauty, #Swarovski, #Sleepenvie (#MeanGirls photo shoot courtesy of them), #Nespresso, #KrispyKreme, #Flow, #HoundsBlackVodka (including a @jlo cocktail) + more! Love my evil eye Swarovski bracelet so much! You are a Queen, Natasha! 🙌

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 5, 2019 at 10:20am PDT

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBERTSON AND THE BAND – Press Conference

 

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#TIFF19: #OnceWereBrothers: #RobbieRobertson and The Band, Opening Night Gala. Producers #RonHoward + #BrianGrazer; Director #DanielRoher; and Robertson himself. #TIFF #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 5, 2019 at 1:27pm PDT

The Premiere of CASTLE IN THE GROUND

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#TIFF19: Premiere of #CastleintheGround, an opioid crisis Drama. In attendance: #NeveCampbell, #AlexWolff, #ImogenPoots, #KeirGilchrist + #KiowaGordon. #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 5, 2019 at 6:24pm PDT

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD – Dinner Party

 

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#TIFF19: toldja #WeslodgeSaloon was going to be a hotspot at #TIFF! The Cast of #ThePersonalHistoryofDavidCopperfield pre-dinnered at the King West Canadian fare purveyor! In attendance: #AneurinBarnard #DevPatel #MorfyddClark + #HughLaurie! #TIFF #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 5, 2019 at 4:59pm PDT

 

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#TIFF19: #DowntonAbbey + #Sense8 star #TuppenceMiddleton at #TIFF with Niagara Falls Thriller #CliftonHill! 🌊 #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 5, 2019 at 9:44pm PDT

This marks our tenth year contributing to CP24′s TIFF coverage. See a clip of our chat with Kelly Linehan!

Love seeing @mrwillw on my tv! #TIFF2019 pic.twitter.com/7MYITx1hVr

— Julie Wright (@reddogcw) September 5, 2019

We will be back on-air Saturday morning in the 8 AM ET hour and are scheduled to be on CBC Radio Friday around 4:15 PM ET talking what else??? TIFF ’19!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

One in every five Canadian children is at risk of starting the day off on an empty stomach. Mott’s Fruitsations and Breakfast Club of Canada have teamed-up for their BUY A CUP GIVE A CUP Campaign. From now till March 2019, for every Mott’s Fruitsations cup purchased, Mott’s will be donating one cup, up to a half-million to Breakfast Club of Canada.

In-town to raise awareness for the Campaign is none other than our v. own Neve Campbell, star of the Scream Franchise, Skyscraper and House of Cards.

We spotted Campbell out and about spreading the word and while this is our second time meeting her, she hasn’t changed one bit. Still a sweetheart! Her stops today included KISS 92.5, 680 NEWS, Breakfast Television and more.

See her appearance on Breakfast Television here.

See our Snap:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/CITY)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of SKYSCRAPER starring Dwayne Johnson! Screenings take place Wednesday, July 11, 2018 in TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY, VANCOUVER, EDMONTON. Venues as follows:

TORONTO WEDNESDAY JULY 11 7:00 PM Cineplex Yonge Dundas

MONTREAL WEDNESDAY JULY 11 7:00 PM Cinema Banque Scotia

VANCOUVER WEDNESDAY JULY 11 7:00 PM Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver

EDMONTON WEDNESDAY JULY 11 7:00 PM Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

CALGARY WEDNESDAY JULY 11 7:00 PM Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

Synopsis:

3,500 FEET. 240 STORIES. THIS SUMMER, THE WORLD’S TALLEST BUILDING… GETS ROCKED. UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND LEGENDARY PICTURES PRESENT DWAYNE JOHNSON IN THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE OF THE YEAR! SKYSCRAPER. IN THEATRES AND REAL-D 3D JULY 13TH.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK  and indicate your City. Tell us in the comments one time you got accused of something you didn’t do! Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Contest Post from @mrwillw on Twitter.

Universal Pictures Canada release SKYSCRAPER Friday, July 13, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)