Continuing with my 2023 retrospective, this year proved to be quite exceptional for Canadian film. It is a reminder of the importance in investing in and supporting our Country’s film industry. It is easy to fall into the trap of simply seeing the film landscape through the lens of American imports, but there is a healthy and thriving local industry rooted in cities across the nation. And these creatives are bringing their particular perspective and voice to the global landscape. This is part of our collective story.
Here are some of my highlights:
I LIKE MOVIES
I’m certainly willing to admit that my theater experience likely played a big role in elevating this film in my mind. A sold out crowd at my local arthouse made this one of the more memorable theater experiences for me in 2023. However, what makes this film standout for me even more is the way it has lingered for me months afterwards. It’s a good story with a strong emotional backdrop, but more importantly it’s a love letter to people like me. Those of us who never fit in at school with the typical crowds, and who instead found a sense of community and identity hanging out at our local video store. Spending hours browsing for titles. Connecting with others who shared a passion for the art form. Chatting with employees whom we would get to known on a first name basis. This film hit a chord made me feel seen and understood. Which is of course the power of film.
THE SWEARING JAR
If you like films that use music as a storytelling device, and if you like films that use small stakes, an intimate relationship drama, and a small cast of characters to build to a richly earned emotional climax, then this is a film you should definitely check out. Its bursting with wonderful chemistry, and it finds a way to blend the hard hitting nature of its story with something that is undeniably charming and affectionate. Beautiful film that should earn a few tears.
BROTHER
This easily could occupy space with some of the more surprising efforts of 2023 for me. Set in Scarborough, it tells the story of a singular family through the perspective of a pair of siblings, both of whom are navigating their lives as Jamaican-Canadians in a way that separates them based on their differences and bonds them together through their shared blood at the same time. It’s a reminder that matters of race exist here in Canada as well, its rhythmic approach helping make this story a reflective an meditative process on growth and healing in the face of struggle.
BLACKBERRY
Probably the most high profile Canadian film to release in 2023, and for good reason. This is a true indie with an incredible screenplay, some really strong direction, and memorable performances. It takes a story that you might feel would be deeply uninteresting (the story of Blackberry’s rise and fall) and makes it riveting drama. Its so high octane that its legitimately stress inducing, but in the best kind of way.
RICEBOY SLEEPS
This film is similar to Minari, both in its subject matter, which revolves around immigration and family, and in its style and tone. Its drawn out very much like a portrait, but one where we get to narrow in on the different voices that make up this landscape. Its about going on the journey with this family as they find the struggles of living in Canada something that pulls them apart, even as the process also brings them together. Such bonds are formed over this shared experience, even if the different members of this family experience this in slightly different ways. Without a doubt a powerful human drama.
FALCON LAKE
A coming of age story that wants to dig underneath the surface of some commonly held stereotypes and norms regarding what it means to grow up and discover who we are in the largely unfamiliar world that surrounds us. It narrows in on a 14 year old boy and dares to wonder whether he is more than hormones and rebellion. It wants to pull nuance out of the rubble of superficiality, and in the process wonders about how the young boy and young woman at the center of this story can become an allegory for the larger world, or even life itself.
YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER
Tender, kind hearted, and beautiful dealing with questions of gender, religion, and of course humanity.
RETROGRADE
A really strong script anchors this conversational, indie drama. It revels in the awkwardness of its main character and the scenario she finds herself caught up in, and ends up as a really solid commentary on Gen Z. It’s a really fun film, but don’t undersell its themes.
THIS PLACE
As I wrote in my review, this film quietly finds its way through the periphery senses into the heart, following two young woman who’s paths suddenly cross, at once interconnecting their lives and their experiences. It’s a really small budget, but the Director really makes the most out of each shot and sequence. It’s the perfect platform for its two leads to stretch themselves, bound as they are to some pitch perfect chemistry and bound as we are to the films gentle, emotive score. Its all quite mesmerizing as an experience.
The Stories of my Life 