#HOTDOCS: 2023 HOT DOCS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Now in its 30th edition, the HOT DOCS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is back on again and running April 27 to May 7, 2023. Over 200 films from 72 countries will be screening at the Festival this year with several special guests in attendance, including Lilly Singh, members of July Talk, Moby, Kara Swisher, Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls and Canada’s first female Jewish Supreme Court Judge Rosalie Abella, among others.

The Festival kicks off with Opening Night selection TWICE COLONIZED, directed by Danish Director Lin Alluna, centering on Greenlandic Inuit lawyer, activist, and fierce protector of her ancestral lands, Aaju Peter. More lineup details here.

If you aren’t in-town, you still can stream online as films will be available starting at 12:01 a.m. on May 5 to May 9, 2023.

One of the centerpiece films this year is Writer/Director Barry Avrich‘s WITHOUT PRECENDENT: THE SUPREME LIFE OF ROSALIE ABELLA, getting its World Premiere at the Festival.

The Documentary is part of Hot Docs’ Special Presentations program and featured in its Big Ideas series, presented by Scotia Wealth Management. This is such a proud Canadian moment as we learn about subject Justice Rosalie Abella became the first woman ever to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada and first Jewish woman and refugee to sit on the Canadian Supreme Court bench.

The Film explores her modest beginnings as a daughter of Holocaust survivors, to working for herself after spending just two years working at a small law firm. Avrich explores the love of her life, Irving Abella and how she applied the same persistence to her career as she did winning his heart. And of course, the scrutiny she faced when Paul Martin appointed her to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004. Abella balances being liked and being respected, led by justice and compassion having understand the refugee experience, and also advocating for the recognition of same sex relationships. We get interviews with former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Margaret Atwood and several other notables. Such a fascinating portrait about a true Canadian hero and success story and a must-see at the Festival.

MON MAY 01
06:30PM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

TUE MAY 02
06:30PM
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1

FRI MAY 05
11:15AM
Isabel Bader Theatre

Team Mr. Will has had a chance to preview some notable selections from the Festival and here are their thoughts to help you in your viewing!

GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)

FOOD AND COUNTRY

In the interest of full disclosure, Gourmet Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Ruth Reichl, is instrumental in turning me into a Foodie. Before the days of internet access, I would religiously buy the Sunday New York Times, cut away and save her restaurant reviews, and have phenomenal experiences during my many trips to Manhattan – whether it was a tripe dish served at a Soho Korean bistro or a meal I still dream about at Asia de Cuba, a restaurant immortalized in an episode of “Sex and the City”. In FOOD AND COUNTRY, we watch as Reichl takes the audience on a fascinating journey of how the Covid pandemic affected U.S. farmers and restaurants.

In a series of conversations that cover a wide range of topics as agricultural economics, financial literacy and how farmers are looking to deal with and adapt to the “new normal” of the hospitality industry, this captivating Documentary illuminates, while exploring options that could be implemented in the future. At the time where restaurants here at home are shuttering their doors forever due to the hardships the pandemic wrought, FOOD AND COUNTRY succinctly and intellectually encapsulates what the future may hold.

You don’t need to be a foodie to appreciate a perfect Crème Brûlée and you don’t need to be one to be enthralled with this movie.

FRI APR 28
06:00PM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

SAT APR 29
11:15AM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

SUN MAY 07
11:00AM
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY OWN

Utilizing 3D motion-capture imagery, animation, archival TV footage and anything else the Creators of this Film can throw in, THIS WORLD IS NOT MY OWN explores the life of Nellie Mae Rowe. Born as the daughter of a sharecropper and former slave in the heart Georgia, Rowe’s entire life was dedicated to her art, whether they be vibrantly coloured paintings, making sculptures from leftover chewing gum (Ewww, right?), pencil sketches and dolls made from whatever she could find. She ultimately found a modicum of fame and notoriety when discovered by the wealthy Judith Alexander, who was instrumental in bringing contemporary art to her gallery in Atlanta. The Film is staged in four chapters, plus a gratuitous interlude that detoured from the subject.

Whereas I respected the audacity of THIS WORLD IS NOT MY OWN, the viewing experience became tiresome with all the visual excesses and the subject matter was too bombastic. It reminded me of the musical interpretation of “Ragtime”, which incorporated numerous subject matters into a coherent masterpiece. I did enjoy three-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba’s vocal stylings, though some of the 3D imagery of Rowe looked a little unsettling. I never thought I would think or say this, but, sometimes, too much is too much, and this Documentary would have benefitted from a bit more focus.

SAT APR 29
02:15PM
Scotiabank Theatre 5

THU MAY 04
05:30PM
Scotiabank Theatre 6

CYNARA

Responding to a 911 call, first responders arrive at a townhouse complex in Scarborough to find a woman on the floor and a young teenaged girl lying unresponsive on a couch. Claiming to be a victim of a home invasion by two armed and masked intruders, Cindy Ali’s life becomes a nightmarish journey as she is arrested, charged with the murder of her 16-year daughter Cynara stricken with Cerebral Palsy, and ultimately charged with murder in the first degree and sentenced to life in prison. CYNARA is a harrowing account how Cindy, with the support of her husband, three daughters and her Church, tries to clear her name with the help of Toronto Star reporter Jim Rankin and wrongful conviction-specializing lawyer James Lockyer. Whereas this Documentary plays like an episode of “Law & Order” and infrequently feels heavy-handed, it is a searing indictment of the Canadian legal system where facts are blatantly ignored by prosecuting lawyers and jury members are misled by a judge who had already in his mind deemed the defendant guilty of a heinous crime.

Writer/Producer/Director Sherien Barsoum skillfully juggles many aspects of this case with finesse. It touches on the subject of systemic prejudice and police and law officials overreaching to get the verdict they want, paying little regard to the facts. CYNARA is an accomplished and compelling Documentary.

SUN APR 30
01:45PM
Isabel Bader Theatre

THU MAY 04
05:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre 7

THE MOUNTAINS

Ever have one of those melodramatic moments in your life where you think “this would make for an amazing movie?”. THE MOUNTAINS is here to tell you that it ain’t! Sometimes life just sucks, and you have to do what you have to do it get above it. Due to the loss of his baby brother at a young age, Danish Filmmaker Christian Einshøj explores his contentious family dynamics 25 years after the fact with interviews with his father and two brothers. Replete with armchair psychology, the Film feels at times visually stagnant, employing perhaps too much on archived family video footage without answering the question. Some scenes feel a tad staged (who filmed the brother on a beach in Spain when the Director was in Denmark?) and sequences of the three brothers frolic about the Arctic Circle wearing DC comic superhero costumes induced are jarring in their purpose.

As a rule of thumb, Documentaries are a hard sell to the movie-going public to begin with. For many it feels like homework, which is exactly how I felt at times watching THE MOUNTAINS.

THU APR 27
06:00PM
TIFF Bell Lightbox 4

SUN APR 30
12:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre 5

AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)

PRAYING FOR ARMAGEDDON

This shocking Documentary is a political thriller that reveals the power and influence of U.S. fundamentalist Evangelicals, as they aim to fulfil the Armageddon prophecy.

Director Tonje Hessen Schei takes us on a deep dive into the faith from all angles. We are introduced to Evangelicals who believe we are heading for Armageddon, a Journalist who investigates the influence they have on U.S. politics as well as first-hand accounts from people living through the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. One thing is for sure, these Evangelicals believe that this conflict is one that will lead them to their end-of-times prediction…and therefore their Armageddon.

The conflict is one that’s difficult for those not involved to understand. Hessen Schei gives immense clarity to the conflict thanks to the subjects living there. This is one of his many achievements. He connects Evangelism to the rise of Christian Nationalism and its geopolitical plan. For instance, many Evangelical “charities” give money which supports settler colonialism in Israel. Furthermore, disgraced U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who has immense support from Evangelicals, placed a U.S. military base and U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. This has been a source of further conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Overall, Praying for Armageddon makes a persuasive argument about the influence this group has on U.S. politics, which extends to issues around the world.

Tue May 02 at 8PM at Isabel Bader Theatre

Thu May 04 at 1:45PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

Sun May 07 at 8PM at TIFF BELL Lightbox 2

COVEN

This one is for all who’re curious about witchcraft.

There has been a stigma surrounding witchcraft for centuries. But this insightful Documentary aims to change society’s views by shining a light on a modern retake of an ancient worldwide practice. It follows three millennials Laura, Andra and Canadian singer Ayo a.k.a. Witch Prophet who are reviving the practice and reclaiming the term witch.

All three women believe that Wicca is about being the truest form of a feminist and coming into their own powers. Director Rama Rau has found the perfect subjects to focus on. Each has their own history and is at different stages in their journeys. Therefore, allowing the audience to see all sides of the Wicca practices.

We follow as each finds out what the practice means to them as they search the world finding their own Wicca ancestry. Out of the three subjects, Laura Hokstad, a solitary witch, is the one we follow the most. We watch as she begins her Wicca journey. We learn about most traditions and history alongside her. The most interesting moments happen when she travels around Europe and America finding out that there were many witches in her ancestry.

Coven is a fascinating Documentary about three women coming into their own power. It may not change the minds of all, but it will create a space for conversation. Allowing those who are curious about witchcraft to feel less isolated.

Fri Apr 28 at 8:45PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1

Fri May 5 at 6:00PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

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