Let’s start by looking at the new films at the Mayfair and the ByTowne.
The Mayfair is screening Women Talking, based on the excellent novel by one of Canada’s best novelists, Miriam Toews, plus an actual event. Sarah Polley did a terrific job adapting for the screen and won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay. Polley and a collective of excellent actresses produced a profoundly beautiful and thought-provoking film. Women Talking follows a group of illiterate women in a strict Mennonite colony in Bolivia as they struggle to reconcile their faith with how to react to the vicious sexual assaults they and their children have suffered for years from some of the colony’s men. Should they stay and fight, or should they leave? The debate they have is profound and well-reasoned. Though illiterate, all of these women are intelligent and have thought deeply about their faith and the meaning of life. A truly exceptional film.
The Lost King is also based on a true story. Philippa Langley is an amateur historian whose dogged determination resulted in the discovery of the bones of King Richard III under a Leicester car park in 2012. The charming Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Maudie) plays Philippa. Directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen, High Fidelity), this film will delight historians, feminists and anyone who loves an inspiring story about what one determined person can accomplish. At the ByTowne.
The Irish film The Quiet Girl is a small gem. Cáit, a young girl, is sent away from her neglectful poverty-stricken family to live with “her mother’s people,” a middle-aged couple. They are prosperous, and the wife is welcoming, but their comfortable farmhouse seems strangely empty. Cáit is quiet and withdrawn, but blossoms under the care of her new temporary parents. All the actors are superb, especially young Catherine Clinch as Cáit. Everyone I know who saw The Quiet Girl loved it; I think you will, too. At the ByTowne.
I’m a fan of animation, so Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman is on my must-see list at the ByTowne. Based on stories by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, the film is about three people seeking meaning in their lives—and might save Tokyo from destruction. I’m particularly intrigued that the director, Pierre Földes, has used a live-action 3D motion-capture process for the characters’ memories, dreams, and visions.
I’m also a fan of documentaries, so River is also a must-see at the ByTowne. Its trailer has gorgeous cinematography that reminds me of Edward Burtynsky’s massive aerial photographs. The film tells us that human civilizations exist because of rivers, but our insatiable need for resources endangers the existence of both rivers and humanity.
The 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity at the ByTowne allows you to see some of the most entertaining, inspirational and humourous commercials on the planet.
Before we turn to older films, let me tell you about a nifty special event at the Mayfair: Animation Show’n’Tell Ottawa. As the blurb says: “Ottawa animators unleash their latest creations on an unsuspecting audience! Come see the newest works and works-in-progress from industry pros, independent artists and hobbyists, followed by a casual chat with the filmmakers about what inspires them.” Ottawa is a hotbed of animation talent. See for yourself!
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Want more animation? The ByTowne is screening one of Studio Ghibli’s most famous films, Princess Mononoke. From the brilliant director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro), it’s about an epic conflict between forest dwellers, including a boar spirit and a girl raised by wolves—the eponymous princess—and iron ore-prospecting humans from a city led by a determined woman.
To celebrate National Canadian Film Day on April 19, REEL CANADA and the Canadian Film Institute present two Canuck films at the ByTowne for free: John and the Missus and Strange Brew. An odd pairing, but hey, we’re an odd country.
John and the Missus was written, directed and stars Gordon Pinsent, arguably an icon of Canada’s film scene. His co-star is the terrific Jackie Burroughs. The film is followed by a Q&A with one of Pinsent’s longtime friends, comedienne (and fellow Newfoundlander) Mary Walsh.
Strange Brew…well, what can I say, eh? Is this the weirdest role Max von Sydow has ever played? Should Shakespeare sue them for ripping off Hamlet? Wear your favourite toque.
For the kids, the ByTowne is showing Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory—the one starring Gene Wilder (can there ever be another Willy Wonka?). Roger Ebert said it is “delightful, funny, scary, exciting, and, most of all, a genuine work of imagination.”
The Mayfair is a reliable venue for classic films. They’ve got an eclectic mix this month.
Stanley Kubrick transformed Anthony Burgess’ dystopian novel A Clockwork Orange into a terrifying vision of Britain in the near future. It’s considered one of Kubrick’s greatest films. Malcolm McDowell plays Alex, a vicious young hoodlum who leads his gang of “droogs” in committing sickening acts of ”ultra violence,” which—I warn you—are hard to forget once you’ve seen them. Alex is caught by the police and offered an experimental treatment that will allow him to evade a lengthy prison sentence. Nightmarish!
The Mayfair is hosting another fundraiser for the Music Program of Glebe-St. James United Church: a singalong Sound of Music. The film swept the 1965 Academy Awards and is considered one of the best musicals ever. Is it one of your favourite things? Now you can sing along!
Speaking of singing along, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is back at the Mayfair! This ultimate cult classic is hosted by the Absent Friends Shadowcast and accompanied by the usual message from the Mayfair: “Feel free to dress up as your favourite character, bring props and items to be thrown in the air (newspapers, toast, toilet paper, playing cards…), call-back at the screen, and dance in the aisles.” Let’s do the Time Warp again!
Another great couple of weeks to enjoy magic in the dark!
Dates, times and tickets for the ByTowne are at www.bytowne.ca. Dates, times and tickets for the Mayfair are at www.mayfairtheatre.ca.
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