Zooming in on the Kingston Canadian Film Festival
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is a purely Canadian film festival dedicated exclusively to Canadian films. The festival has a special connection to Queen’s, as Alex Jansen founded the festival in 2001 when he was a film student at Queen’s. Furthermore, many Queen’s students are interns for the KCFF today. This year, there will be some screenings at the Isabel Bader and Theological Hall, so you don’t even have to leave campus if you wish to see some of the films! Being an intern of the KCFF myself, I am writing this to encourage you, my fellow Queen’s students, to be a part of the festival. First years especially, as they get free rush tickets, and upper year students too, who get $8 rush tickets on films.FILMS TO CHECK OUTThose Who Make Revolution Only Halfway Dig Their Own Graves(Ceux qui font les révolutions à moitié n’ont fait que se creuser un tombeau)Playing Sunday, March 5 at 3:30 pm at the Grand TheatreThose Who Make Revolution Only Halfway Dig Their Own Graves is an edgy Québécois film from directors Mathieu Denis and Simon Lavoie inspired by the 2012 student riots in Québec. The film questions how far one would go to defend their beliefs in a situation of political and social strife. Its pertinence is especially relevant today, as we go through similar struggles in both American and Canadian landscapes. Those Who Make Revolution Only Halfway Dig Their Own Graves won the Best Canadian Feature prize at TIFF last year! So it’s la crème de la crème of Canadian films and definitely worth the watch and the heated discussion it will warrant after viewing.
The IntestinePlaying Friday, March 3 at 9:10 pm at the Screening RoomLev Lewis’ first film is a haunting tale of an indigent girl who gets the chance to play house. After a one-night stand, Maya wakes up to find the grandiose home of her one-night stand suitor all to herself. Compared to her poor abode with her drug-addicted mother, her new surroundings are a paradise. Taking the chance life has brought her, Maya enjoys her new lifestyle. When the moneyed man is reported missing, Maya tries to claim the house as her own. Trouble ensues as the film develops and debates the themes of identity and status.
nirvanna the band the showPlaying Saturday, March 4 at 9:15 pm at the Grand Theatre*This showing presents 3 episodes of the show instead of a feature film.From ingenious creator Matt Johnson with collaborator Jay McCarrol comes the hilarious story of two Torontonians who are eager to play music at the Rivoli. However, they wish to garner attention through schemes instead of writing or rehearsing any music. Matt Johnson’s Dirties was a hit in a previous Kingston Canadian Film Festival, so nirvanna the band the show is sure to please and bring the laughs. What’s more is that Damian Abraham will chat with the creative team of nirvanna the band the show, (including Johnson and McCarrol) after the film, live for his music podcast "Turned Out a Punk”. Get a taste of the show before it moves to the channel viceland and get ready to be entertained.
FREE EVENTSAdditionally, there are numerous free events to partake in at the festival. Music lovers can see Forty Seven Teeth or P.S. I Love You at the Toucan on Friday, March 3, at 10:30pm and Saturday, March 4 at 10:30 pm respectively. Movie lovers can catch Angry Inuk, the final film of the festival, on Sunday, March 5 at 7:00 pm at the Grand Theatre. The festival also has great workshops like ‘Breaking In: Starting A Career in Film & Media’ at the Isabel Bader on Friday, March 3 from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm.We are lucky to live in such a culturally vibrant city, so I’d suggest looking into participating in the Festival (running from March 2 – March 5). You won’t be disappointed.Bon cinéma!Caitlyn McTavishOnline Reviewer
