Festival In-Cinema

Subjects: Equity, Gender Studies, Law, World Issues, Sociology, Media Studies, Health, Language, English

The human menstrual cycle lasts an average of 28 days, but the junk science, tasteless humour and derogatory thinking surrounding it has endured for decades. Euphemistic phrases like “a visit from Aunt Flo,” “riding the cotton pony,” and “the curse” are meant to describe the bodily function in popular culture inoffensively, but it is time to treat menstruation with the basic factual respect and non-sexist representation it deserves. While Viagra prescriptions are covered by medical insurance, activists must lobby to have tampons and pads re-classified as medically required equipment to exempt their cost from taxation. Doctors, celebrities, and athletes are likewise calling out paternalistic taboos by promoting feminist-centred research and adopting period-positive language loudly and in public. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lina Lyte Plioplyte (Advanced Style, 2014) finally gives menstruation the red-carpet treatment by letting Gloria Steinem, Megan Rapinoe, Naomi Watts and Anna Konkle lead “the talk” everyone should get from now on. Myrocia Watamaniuk.

Subjects: Equity, Gender Issues, Media Arts, English, Challenge and Change, Sociology

She was a face on the magazines and now she represents the top Black models in the industry. Meet Bethann Hardison, the person behind the face and icon, telling her story the way she sees it. Sharing the director’s chair with Frédéric Tcheng, Hardison takes us backstage, into her life and the impact she’s had in the ever-so-trendy fashion industry. In this document of her 50-year career, we witness how one model-turned-agent has the influence and drive to produce the thriving careers of Tyson Beckford, Naomi Campbell and Iman, among many others. An activist in her own right, Hardison proves that Black faces and culture are more than just a moment, and advocates for racial justice in an ultra-competitive world. Samah Ali.

Subjects: Challenge and Change, Law, World Issues, Politics, Sociology, Civics, English

Leader of a revolution at 21. Lawmaker at 23. Most Wanted at 26. With intimate access to the leaders of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution, Who’s Afraid of Nathan Law? chronicles one of the world’s most famous dissidents in his fight for democracy against a superpower.

As a college freshman, shy Nathan Law finds an identity in activism. He teams up with two well-known teenage activists, Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, to help launch the Umbrella Revolution, a student-led occupation of Hong Kong demanding the government allow citizens to elect their own leader. This awakens an entire generation of young people, and when Law becomes the youngest elected official in Hong Kong history - only to be ousted from the role in a hurry - he helps launch a new movement, further galvanizing the youth of Hong Kong. When Beijing responds with draconian measures, Law finds himself at a crossroads - committed to the cause of democracy but caught in the crosshairs of the Chinese regime.

With incredible access to Law, Wong and Chow, director Joe Piscatella (who brought us Wong’s story in Joshua: Teenager Vs. Superpower, 2017) paints a striking picture not only of how quickly a democracy can become a police state but also of how the voices of today’s youth refuse to be silenced in their call for freedom. 

Subjects: Equity Studies, Language, English, World Issues, Civics, Challenge and Change, Sociology

For five-year-old Lawand, who was born deaf, the journey to being understood was a complex path with massive hurdles. Facing the ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Lawand and his family uproot themselves and make their way to the United Kingdom as refugees, in hope of finding a better life. After he is enrolled in a school for the deaf, we witness Lawand’s process of discovery and communication. A visceral and stunning approach to his story allows us to experience in part how he starts to learn and understand the world around him. Just as he begins to find his community, the threat of deportation arises - another harrowing strain for his family to fight through. Through intimate access at Lawand’s school and his family’s attempts to communicate better with their young son while fighting to stay in their new home, we discover a powerful story of resilience and hope, and a newfound wonder for how to see the world. Gabor Pertic.

Subjects: Environment, World Issues, Challenge and Change, Law, Politics, Equity, English

The largest mining dam burst in Brazil’s history, in the region of Minas Gerais, reveals a large number of regional dams at risk of failure, threatening the lives of residents. Neither the government nor the mining company take responsibility; instead, they continue mining the land, dismissing the devastating risks to the population. Those in the surviving villages go through routine drills, hoping they will survive the next dam breach - yet they know they would not survive such a disaster and would be buried under the mud. The heroic residents of the region band together to fight for justice, and Teca, an activist and the lone citizen representative on the state’s environmental council, continues protesting the dams without seeing results. A David-versus-Goliath story of territorial conflict that exposes the layers that perpetuate a post-colonial state in this life-or-death fight. Lucila Moctezuma.

Subjects: Equity, Canadian Issues, World Issues, Politics, Law | Challenge and Change, Civics, Sociology, English

Throughout the COVID pandemic, Toronto has seen a catastrophic increase in homelessness. Sick of seeing his city unable to care for its unhoused people, Khaleel Seivwright quit his job as a full-time carpenter and dedicated himself to building insulated shelters - called “tiny shelters.” Innovatively using body temperature for heating, Khaleel’s efforts garnered international media attention, leading Toronto to propose a possible partnership - only to reverse its decision a week later. Capturing the ups and downs of Khaleel’s brilliant intervention, Someone Lives Here also features the voices of those experiencing homelessness, including the articulate and philosophical Taka. The film poignantly captures the City of Toronto’s costly $1.9 million clearance of Toronto’s park encampments, asking all the right questions: What makes Toronto unable and unwilling to address this humanitarian crisis? Why are people like Khaleel being prevented from trying to find solutions? Who do we prioritize in this city? A sobering and maddening watch. Aisha Jamal.

Subjects: Civics, Equity, Politics, Sociology, Gender Studies, Indigenous, Canadian Issues

Back for a second series, Citizen Minutes is a short doc collection commissioned by Hot Docs aimed at celebrating and inspiring civic engagement. Be among the first to see the incredible stories of ordinary Canadians doing extraordinary things to make their communities better places.

Subjects: Physical Education, Health, English, Language, Leadership, Sociology, Media Studies

How does one become a four-time NBA champion and dominate as the best three-point scorer in NBA history? For Stephen Curry, the answer was through humble beginnings and being overlooked as a prospect who could make it as a pro. Using his time at Davidson College as the backbone of his story, Stephen Curry: Underrated provides access to Curry, his family, his teammates and his coach to tell the story of one of the greatest players ever to hit the court. Curry’s journey to the NBA was all about discipline and perseverance in an attempt to rise up against all those who overlooked his abilities. Bit by bit, his college basketball career foreshadowed the record-breaker he was destined to be, but his pursuit of finishing his college degree and maintaining a family and a fighting spirit reflects the icon he has now undoubtedly become. Gabor Pertic.