If you’re like me, you might have started hibernating this winter, refusing to make plans outside the house if only so it means you don’t have to shovel the driveway and clear the snow off your windshield.
That’s one of the perks to this year’s hybrid delivery of the ReFrame Film Festival, which has more than 60 social and environmental justice films lined up for the course of the festival from January 25 to February 4. With tickets available for the festival’s virtual theatre beginning January 29, you can sit back in your living room, cup ‘o joe in hand and a furry friend by your side, while immersing yourself in award-winning storytelling.
But if you’re looking to crawl your way out of hibernation (also, occasionally, like me) and would rather connect with others over the shared experience of the theatre, the in-person portion of the festival includes Q&As with special guests and filmmakers, expert panellists, art installations, and creative workshops. The in-person screenings in downtown Peterborough are launching with opening night celebrations this Thursday and continue over the weekend.
Then, of course, for the best of both worlds (which is the title of one of the many films), the ReFrame Film Festival has all-access passes, allowing viewers to attend all in-person events before they enjoy the virtual theatre in their comfort of their own home.
From many eye-opening films exploring themes of oppression, violence, inequality, and suffering, to the empowering ones full of activism, overcoming stigma, power, and resistance, there are so many films you don’t want to miss at the 20th anniversary ReFrame. Here are some must-watch films at this year’s festival.
Boil Alert (2023, 98 mins)
Thursday, January 25 at 7 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre
We hear the stats about the safe water crisis in communities across North America (there are currently 29 long-term drinking water advisories in effect in 27 communities in Canada) but this opening might feature puts a face, a person, and a story to the statistics.
In Boil Alert, a Mohawk activist journeys to several First Nations reserves — including some not far from Peterborough-Nogojiwanong — to illuminate this devastating struggle for clean water while learning about herself in the process. Like many of the films being screened this year, this film documents a human rights crisis that is happening now, making it a perfect film to launch the 20th annual festival.
Layla Staats, the woman who visits the communities and a musician, artist, and activist in her own front, while be in attendance at the opening night gathering for a post-screening Q&A along with Joshua Neuman, the film’s co-producer.
Loud & Here (2023, 12 mins)
Friday, January 26 at 12:30 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre
This short documentary follows a group of teenage girls doing something a group of teenage girls should never have to do: they’re standing up to bring attention to the large number of sexual violence cases that go unreported and unpunished.
We hear about it all the time and know it happens, and yet, seeing these young girls having to use their voices is a powerful reminder of who we put in danger when we don’t listen. Content warning: sexual assault.
Queendom (Agniia Galdanova 2023, 101 mins)
Friday, January 26 at 8 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
The story of a fearless activist, this one is sure to stay with us long after we’ve seen it — and only in part because we continue to see these protests happening now. The documentary follows Gena Marvin, a queer performance artist from Russia who, putting her life at risk, dresses in hand-made (often pain-inducing) costumes to protest the attacks on Ukraine, the conservative and homophobic nature of Russia, or both, on the streets of Moscow.
Queendom is screening with Poisoned Well, another story of violence against the LGBTQ+ community through intimate interviews given after the terrorist attacks on Bratislava, Slovakia in 2022.
Shorts: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan / Curve Lake Storytelling
Saturday, January 27 at 12:30 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
At the core of ReFrame’s mission is to take the conversations presented onscreen and create dialogue around how it affects us locally. So what better way than to hear stories from filmmakers living here in the Kawarthas?
Six filmmakers from Curve Lake First Nation will be screening their shorts before coming together for a panel to share Anishinaabe knowledge. Screenings include The Rez from Sarah Lewis, My Storytelling from Marg Knott, For the Little Girl who Dances from the South by Missy Knott, Turtle Crossing from Jonathan Taylor, The Best of Both Worlds by Carol Taylor, and My Beginnings from Marilyn Knott.
The Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling panel will be moderated by Nadine Changfoot and Alice Olson Williams and features a traditional dance performance by Kelli Marshall.
Plastic Fantastic (2023, 102 mins)
Saturday, January 27 at 2:45 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
From its production to its disposal and to its aftermath of those who walk around beaches picking it up, this film deals with the ongoing global plastic crisis. Beyond that, it is a film about circular production, greenwashing, microplastics, and carbon emissions.
And perhaps most importantly of all, in a time when we so often hear about hopelessness of our planet, this film is about finding solutions.
Plastic Fantastic will also be screened in the Virtual Theatre from January 29 to February 4.
Sarura. The future is an unknown place (2022, 80 mins)
Saturday, January 27 at 5:15 p.m at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
A group of young Palestinians called “The Youth of Sumud” (the youth of steadfast perseverance) fight against the Israeli military occupation at the edge of the Negev dessert. There, they aim to return to their people the land that was taken from their families in the late 1990s. Another of many generations who can’t predict a future with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they are restructuring the ancient cave village of Sarura while facing aggression with nonviolent action.
Director Nicola Zambelli will be a guest speaker at the screening.
Sarura. The future is an unknown place will also be screened in the Virtual Theatre from January 29 to February 4.
Kirby’s House (2023, 18 mins)
Saturday, January 27 at 5:15 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre
Local producer, editor, and director Rob Viscardis will be in attendance for a Q&A to go allow with the screening of his film Kirby’s House. While simultaneously pointing to the growing global affordability crisis, this documentary follows Kirby, who lives with an intellectual disability, as he thrives living on his own while supported by caring neighbours. At a time when Kirby’s story is unfortunately not typical, he becomes an inspiration in this story about being a good neighbour.
Kirby’s House will also be screened in the Virtual Theatre from January 29 to February 4.
Losing Blue (2023, 15 mins)
Sunday, January 28 at 10 a.m. at Showplace Performance Centre
One of the first things I noticed about Losing Blue is the trailer shows off the ever-familiar mountain peak backdrop of Lake Louise, Alberta — an image that is conjured up when tourists think of the natural landscapes of Canada and oftentimes the first photos to pop up on any search engine. You can’t go there any day in the summer or even a weekend in the winter without there being crowds of people lined up for canoes, to skate on the pond, or take their photos in front of that stunning blue water. It’s recognizably Canadian.
So, what if we lose it? That’s what this documentary is asking us — or telling us. Called a “cinematic poem,” Losing Blue is about the impending loss of the extraordinary, ethereal blues of ancient glacier-fed lakes due to accelerated environmental shifts caused by climate change. It’s an eye-opening glimpse of the slow but sudden changes affecting our planet.
Losing Blue will also be screened in the Virtual Theatre from January 29 to February 4.
Periodical (2022, 95 mins)
Sunday, January 28 at 2:45 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
A (not so) fun fact I learned from just the Periodical trailer alone: the word “hysteria” (which is often emotionally charged or meaning an “uncontrollable” emotion or reaction) is derived from the Greek word “hystera” which means uterus. Needless to say, you will never hear me say or use this word in my writing ever again.
Screening in-person and virtually at ReFrame, Periodical is a long-overdue and empowering conversation regarding the menstrual cycle, from the first to last. This enlightening documentary from Lina Lyte Plioplyte uncovers truths, challenges taboos, and breaks down the stigma around the mystery of the menstrual cycle. I’m sure there will be much more to learn from this eye-opening documentary.
Periodical will also be screened in the Virtual Theatre from January 29 to February 4.
Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe (2023, 94 mins)
Sunday, January 28 at 5:15 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre
I think it says a lot that this heart-warming documentary is the closing feature for a film festival that’s all about connecting each other through what’s shown on screen. That’s exactly what Mr. Dressup did for so many kids for so many years.
With 4,000 episodes and nearly 30 years of filming (not to mention countless re-runs), this children’s show transcends generations: I watched it with my grandmother after coming home from kindergarten in the early 2000s, while my mother watched in growing up in the ’60s. That tickle truck is for everyone.
This film pays tribute to Ernie Coombs and his legacy in showing that imagination doesn’t end when you reach adulthood, while celebrating the expansiveness of gender. Fun fact: did you know Coombs received an honourary doctorate from Trent University in 2001? Come to the screening to discover more connections to the Nogojiwanong community.
Producer Greg Floyd will be in attendance, doing a Q&A after the screening.
For more information about the ReFrame Film Festival, including a complete film guide, and to order passes and tickets, visit reframefilmfestival.ca.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor of the 2024 ReFrame Film Festival.
