ReFrame Film Festival Brings Virtual Festival to National Audience
/Peterborough’s ReFrame Film Festival is back and this year will be available online across Canada.
Photo courtesy of ReFrame Film Festival.
Peterborough Blogs
New Peterborough Screening Collective Canadian Images in Conversation Collective to Host Online Screening
/The Canadian Images in Conversation Collective (CCIC), a new screening collective in Peterborough is hosting it’s next online screening of “Mining (and Manipulating) the Home Movie” from Oct. 16 - 23.
Still image taken from Louise Borque’s film Imprint. Courtesy of the Canadian Filmmakers’ Distribution Centre.
Featuring works by the filmmakers Christina Battle, Eva Kolcze, Philip Hoffman, John Kneller, Amanda Dawn Christie, Sara Angelucci, Freda Guttman, Louise Borque and Lindsay McIntyre, Mining (and Manipulating) the Home Movie critiques the value of the home movie as a source of historical evidence and a window into our collective past.
Containing personal and found home movies, as well as other types of source material, the films in this program reflect on the complexities of home movies and the realities they depict through the ways they incorporate and manipulate their source material. Emphasizing themes of memory and decay, the films raise questions about how our collective history should be remembered
A panel discussion with the filmmakers whose works are in the program will accompany the screening, taking place on Saturday October 16 at 7PM. It will be recorded and will be available to watch throughout the week.
Canadian Images in Conversation is a new collective that is inspired by the legacy of the Canadian Images Film Festival, which took place in Peterborough between 1978-1984. With support from the ReFrame Film Festival, Trent University, and the Ontario Arts Council, CIIC aims to showcase Canadian films and filmmakers through regular screenings and artist talks. Although its programming will be diverse, it will emphasize work by underrepresented, marginalized, racialized, Indigenous, gendered and queer artists and filmmakers.
This screening is free to all members of the public and available worldwide. Sign up for a free account with Eventive in order to access the films and the panel discussion. For more information, visit CCIC’s Facebook page or email them at canadianimagesinconversation@gmail.com.
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Local Café Hosts Hollywood Actress For Movie Scene Filming
/It is not every day you get a movie star like Anna Kendrick to appear in Peterborough but it was a lucky day for entrepreneur Helen McCarthy and her café, KitCoffee last Tuesday.
Helen McCarthy (left), KitCoffee owner with her employees and actress Anna Kendrick (middle right) after the Hollywood star finished filming her scene in Downtown Peterborough. Photo Courtesy of KitCoffee.
Kendrick was filming for her upcoming thriller movie, “Alice, Darling” at the Hunter Street café between Water Street and George Street in Downtown Peterborough.
KitCoffee had closed for the day but served coffee and snacks to the production staff in between filming. Some parts of the street were blocked off temporarily for the shoot.
Helen McCarthy, KitCoffee owner was not expecting as big a star as Kendrick when she agreed for her business to be used for a movie scene.
“I had walked right past Anna Kendrick who was sitting in the café,” she said. “I thought it was going to be a smaller film and I didn’t know anyone famous was going to be here.”
KitCoffee recently celebrated their second anniversary last Thursday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
McCarthy admits that she often does not get starstruck but she and the staff had to contain themselves when the celebrity actress was in the café. They were rewarded with a photo with Kendrick when the filming had finished after showing tremendous restraint.
“The three of us who were there, we were trying not to be annoying,” she said. “We didn’t want to bother her but it would be really fun to get a picture so I ended up asking one of the crew members that we were interacting with more.”
KitCoffee sells food and drink such as coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches and in-house made bagels. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The short scene is Kendrick’s character, Alice, walking out of the café with a vehicle pulling up to her according to McCarthy.
Extras were filmed in and outside the building where Kendrick had a small speaking role in the scene.
Alice, Darling features an all-female led cast of Anna Kendrick, Charlie Carrick, Wunmi Mosaku and Kaniehtiio Horn with English director Mary Nighy.
The film’s plot tells the story of a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship as she becomes the unwitting participant in an intervention staged by her two closest friends.
Elevation Pictures will distribute the thriller film while Lionsgate Films will distribute it worldwide.
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Award-Winning Documentary Showcases Kenyan Lacrosse Story in Peterborough
/Filmmaker Janet Wells of Quarry Island Films’ documentary “Sleeping Warrior” had Peterborough as one of several focuses since it was one of the major sites for the film to be released this year.
The documentary shows a true story of two girls Sharon Opari and Moureen Atieno from Africa’s first female lacrosse team, — represented by Kenya — their journey to the 2019 World U19 Women's Field Lacrosse Championships and the transformation of their lives upon returning from the event that was held in Peterborough in August 2019.
During filming, one player discovered that her deceased mother might be alive after all so the documentary filmed that her journey to find her real family as part of the story.
The title comes from a mountain the girls train under in Kenya called ‘Sleeping Warrior’. Photo Courtesy of Janet Wells.
Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University and Fleming College were the sites of the world championships. This was Peterborough’s second time hosting the event with the first in 2007.
Filming was done from June to December in Peterborough and Kenya in 2019.
Janet Wells and Timothy Mwaura were co-directors of the documentary. Photo Courtesy of Janet Wells.
Several girls on the team have barely travelled so coming to Peterborough was a new experience in more than one case according to Wells.
“There is something about Kenyan athletes, people are just drawn to them and they’re warm and lovely people,” said Wells. “They’re very beautiful and I learned so much.”
The team got to experience boat rides, Canadian cuisine, a box lacrosse match and many other experiences that were previously foreign to them.
“They all hated salad, they boil everything and cook all vegetables,” Wells laughed. “They also don’t like cheese either.”
Several members of Kenya’s lacrosse team have only played a few games before coming to Peterborough. Courtesy of Janet Wells.
The girls were put up in several places during their time in Peterborough. Lakefield College accommodated them for three days and some stayed at Wells’s cottage in Stony Lake.
One other notable place where the girls were housed was the cottage featured in the film, “Cheaper By the Dozen 2” in Stony Lake.
This was the first boat ride the Kenyan lacrosse team had ever gone on when they visited Canada. Photo Courtesy of Janet Wells.
The film has yet to make its theatrical debut in Canada though Wells has mentioned giving Peterborough a private screening hopefully this year.
Despite being showcased at several film festivals and earning many awards, it is not publicly available though it is on screens in Nairobi and touring film festivals.
The Kenyan team placed 18th at the 2019 World U19 Women's Field Lacrosse Championships in Peterborough, losing to Isreal in the 17th place match, 11-10.
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Local Horror Author Strikes Deal With Netflix for Film Adaptation
/Author Ian Rogers will have something to scream over as his book “Every House Is Haunted” will become a Netflix movie announced last week.
Ian Rogers won ReLit Award in the “short fiction “ category for Every House is Haunted in 2013. Photo Courtesy of Ian Rogers.
The details of when production is currently unknown but the confirmation was given to Rogers by email about the news over a week ago.
The book is a collection of short horror fiction stories released in 2012 where movie adaptation will feature the novelette, “The House on Ashley Avenue”.
The movie is titled the book’s name over the novelette to make it more recognizable according to Rogers.
Sam Raimi and Zainab Azizi of Raimi Productions are the film producers and have hired Rogers as a consultant. Just having them being involved with the film is an honour to the award-winning author.
“I know it’s cliché to say but it’s a dream come true,” said Rogers. “This is massive for my writing career. Having Sam Raimi wanting to do my film together, it’s like Stephen King asking me to do a book together.”
Ian Rogers (pictured) currently resides in Peterborough with his wife Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers, a manager of Communications at Trent University. Photo Courtesy of Ian Rogers.
Rogers’s book is inspired by his normal life with imaginary twists. He says his stories are inspired by places he is close to such as Nova Scotia, Toronto and Peterborough where his family lives, his hometown and his current residence respectively.
The House on Ashley Avenue is inspired by his neighbourhood walks in Toronto he tells PTBOCanada.
“Ashley Avenue is not a real street, I used to go for walks and I was walking in that area,” he said. “It was this really beautiful summer day and there was this immaculate house. When you put a twist, you ask, “What could go wrong on a day as beautiful as this?’”
“Shards” is Rogers’s latest book release where five friends rent a cabin but only four come out alive. His book is available to read online for free. Photo Courtesy of Ian Rogers.
Every House is Haunted has been out of print but Rogers plans to print another edition in time for the movie’s release as stated on his book’s official website.
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Last Beer At The Pig’s Ear Documentary To Play Closing Night At ReFrame Film Festival
/ReFrame Film Festival has announced its 2019 schedule, and the Closing Night documentary is on the Pig’s Ear and the legacy it has left in Peterborough.
Last Beer at the Pig’ s Ear is a tribute to the people, the fun and games, the music and the pickled eggs—the culture that made the “Piggy” so special for 152 years. Directed by local filmmaker Peter Blow, it screens at Showplace Performance Centre on Sunday, January 27th at 7 p.m.
Pig’s Ear was iconic watering hole on Brock Street
The ReFrame Film Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary from January 24th to Sunday, January 27th. Youth Unstoppable, a film by former PCVS student Slater Jewell-Kemker made to amplify youth voices against climate change, headlines the festival.
Click here for the full schedule.
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Maryam Monsef On Her Inspiring Chat With Angelina Jolie At TIFF
/Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef and her mother Soriya Basir had an inspiring meet with actor/activist Angelina Jolie on Sunday (September 10th) at the TIFF screening of The Breadwinner, an animated film Jolie executive produced about an 11-year-old girl in Afghanistan living under Taliban rule.
MP Maryam Monsef and Angelina Jolie at TIFF screening of Jolie's The Breadwinner
The film, about a headstrong young girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family, is based on the bestselling book by Canadian writer Deborah Ellis.
Monsef says the book and movie speaks to her for many reasons: "It's the story of an 11-year-old Parvana's journey of survival in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and her attempt to help her family as the breadwinner. Breadwinner tells the story of Afghanistan through the eyes of a child. For years, Ellis has shined light on the struggles and resiliency of Afghan people and the strength of women and girls of Afghanistan. With the animation of The Breadwinner, we are all reminded once again to never underestimate the power of a girl."
Monsef tells PTBOCanada that she and her mom had a memorable few minutes with Jolie: "She is proud of Canada's role in the world as we progress gender equality and promote diversity. She also said that of all the places she goes to, she is happiest when she is surrounded by the women of Afghanistan. She doesn't know what it is about them, she just feels connected to them."
Monsef's mother even received this hug from Angelina...
Photo courtesy Maryam Monsef
Monsef, who says Angelina is beautiful inside and out, adds that she told the actress this at the meeting: "I thanked her for helping to tell the story of Afghan people, and she said she would continue to do so."
Monsef also "fan-girled huge" when she met the Breadwinner author Ellis (pictured 2nd from left below)...
Monsef came away very moved by her experience at the TIFF screening:
"Teachers in Peterborough often call me and Mom to come in and talk to their students after they read The Breadwinner," Monsef tells PTBOCanada. "The kids always had many questions and such compassion. Seeing all the kids in the audience yesterday and talking to Angelina and others involved made me appreciate the deliberate efforts to focus content like this on children as the audience. They will grow up to fix this broken world and it's never too early to teach compassion."
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Frank Flynn's Surfacing At ReFrame Film Festival Looks At Impact Of His Wife's Suicide On His Family
/The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.) is once again a sponsor of the ReFrame Film Festival, and this year one of the films of note they're sponsoring is a local one called Surfacing.
Written by well known local director/playwright Frank Flynn—and produced by Blake Richardson and choreographed by Rachelle Bemrose—it tells the story of Flynn’s wife’s journey through mental illness, her subsequent suicide in August 2014 and its impact on the family and their eventual journey to healing.
TELLING HIS STORY THROUGH DANCE & MOTION
Flynn was rendered speechless and heartbroken when his wife took her own life, and didn't know how to put it to words. “When my wife died, I struggled to give sorrow to words," he says. "As a playwright, to be without words was a unique kind of torment. I felt a constant physical ache in my chest and pressure building in every cell of my body."
Months later, after seeing a dance piece by Richardson and Bemrose, it occurred to Flynn that his was a story best told with bodies in motion. Collaborative work on Surfacing followed soon after with the two.
Surfacing, a dance/soundscape/poem, was made for Frank’s children as a living memorial to their mother and also as an invitation into the discussion of mental health, stigma, and healing.
Surfacing plays at Showplace Performance Centre on Friday, January 27th at 11:30 a.m. For more info on Reframe Film Festival, visit their website.
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A Powerful Short Film Has Been Made About The Peterborough Mosque
/Peterborough-based filmmaker Matthew Hayes has made a powerful short film, "The Masjid", about the aftermath of the Peterborough Mosque arson hate crime that occured November 14th, 2015.
The community support—both financial and emotional—was amazing, and the story went viral around the world about how the city came together to show solidarity with the mosque. To show how inclusive we really are.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—who visited the mosque earlier this year—lamented the attack, but praised the community’s and country's reaction to it: $110,000 was crowdfunded for the mosque in less than two days.
This film conveys the story of what happened in subsequent months, and how the mosque in turn gave back to the community.
Watch it below...
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Meet An Awesome Omemee Makeup FX Artist Who Does Work For Films
/Omemee's Rhonda Causton is a super talented makeup FX artist—her business is Reel Twisted FX—who does work for film and TV, and teaches her artform at Fleming College as part of their Continuing Education program.
Rhonda working her magic on set
"There is a lot more to it than just the makeup that goes on the skin," she tells PTBOCanada of her art. "I do life casting, and I sculpt, mold, cast and apply Prosthetic appliances to change the actor's appearance. I also make props such as severed body parts and puppets, for film and TV."
Rhonda on set doing makeup
Since childhood, Rhonda has had a keen interest in being creative and exploring art. "I was always sculpting, drawing, writing," she tells PTBOCanada. "Most of my work depicted monsters of some sort. Being a big fan of sci-fi and horror movies, I was never short of inspiration."
Rhonda on set
As an adult, Rhonda continued to fuel her passion for art by creating sculptures—which she sold on eBay and at shows. But she knew she hadn't yet found her true calling. That all changed when she did some acting in a couple of low budget horror films.
"I met two young makeup FX artists whom I spent most of my time with on set—gazing over their shoulder, watching them work," she tells PTBOCanada. "They told me I should go to school to learn this profession, since I was clearly mesmerized by their creations!"
Rhonda's handy work on Peterborough's Steve Delaire
In 2010, after losing her job, Rhonda decided this might be her last chance to go back to school and do what she's always felt she was meant to do. So she enrolled at S.O.M.A (School of Makeup Art) in Toronto.
Transforming Michelle Ferreri for a Halloween blog shoot Michelle did
"Towards the end of my schooling in Toronto, I asked my teacher whether he knew of any Makeup FX artists in need of shop help, so that I could gain some industry experience," says Rhonda. "I went for an interview with FX artist Paul Jones who was working on the movie Silent HIll: Revelation at the time. He hired me the day I graduated."
More of her amazing FX work pictured above and below
Silent Hill: Revelation was Rhonda's first Makeup FX gig. She was blessed to have had the opportunity to not only meet, but work alongside such amazing talent at PJFX studio—and work with some of the biggest names in Toronto's makeup FX industry.
In 2012, Rhonda officially started her own FX business, Reel Twisted FX. She has done makeup FX work on 16 productions—ranging from music videos to short films to feature films to TV.
Rhonda was also hired at Fleming College to teach a Makeup FX intro course in their Continuing Education program. Since then, she has started to teach two additonal makeup FX related courses there.
Rhonda will be doing a makeup FX demo at the Fleming College Open House Saturday, November 21st. To learn more about her, visit her Facebook page and check out her IMDB credits. You can contact her by email here.
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