Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

VIFF hits Vancouver with fresh foreign films

September 20, 2011 by Jasmine Gurm Leave a comment

Presenting cinematic marvel from the world over, the 2011 Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) will take audiences from the northern skies of Nunavut all the way to the sands of Africa. This year’s line up includes the winner of HotDocs Best Canadian Feature Length, Family Portraits in Black & White by Julia Ivanova. Exploring sadness, devastation, isolation and life’s cruel injustice, Ivanova takes our hearts and minds on a journey through the darkness bi-racial orphans experienced in the former Soviet Union. [Read more]

Filed Under: Cover Story, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

Why I like Winnipeg…so far

September 20, 2011 by Pierre Verriere Leave a comment

How do you like Winnipeg so far?” That’s the first question that always comes up in conversations with people I meet here. It’s already been almost four months since I settled into Winnipeg, Manitoba and I have the feeling that I’ll be asked that very same question all year long. [Read more]

Filed Under: Verbatim, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

Spencie’s View

September 20, 2011 by Spencie Leave a comment

The interminable electoral cycle

September 20, 2011 by Serge Corbeil Leave a comment

Our neighbours in the south are already finding themselves caught up in the paralyzing cogwheels of their electoral cycle. While the economy (as much in the United States as in the rest of the world) is spinning its wheels, the American political class have their eyes on the next presidential electoral appointment. If you live in the United States and the situation disquiets you, don’t count on your Congress to make life easier for you anytime soon. [Read more]

Filed Under: My Turn, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

Metro Vancouver residents dial 211 to get community information

September 20, 2011 by Samuel Ramos Leave a comment

The numbers 211 are not regularly dialed on most people’s phones. Its better known cousin, 411, is so common that it’s become a phrase of its own: “Give me the 411.” But for more in depth information it seems you are better off dialing 211. [Read more]

Filed Under: Community, Featured Article, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

Notes from the other side of multiculturalism

September 20, 2011 by Mike Lee Leave a comment

They herded us like cattle. We walked, single file, through a maze of metal barricades. The dour, blue-clad sentinels that lined both sides of the street observed our every move as we shuffled towards the enclosure. [Read more]

Filed Under: Issues & Ideas, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

Windy City blows writer away

September 20, 2011 by Tim Reinert Leave a comment

My wife hasn’t been to the U.S. since her birthday over a decade ago. I can think of worse traditions, especially since I usually reap the travel benefits. But it’s a tricky habit to maintain if you live in Vancouver, as your options for quick, cheap non-Canadian travel are quite limited. I love Portland, but I can only handle the company of bearded hippies for so long, especially considering that I live on Main Street. [Read more]

Filed Under: Postcard, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

VIFF highlights struggle of Congolese band

September 20, 2011 by Adrianna Granville Leave a comment

The Congolese band Staff Benda Bilili’s 2011 North American has been cancelled until further notice. The band was set to play at the Vogue Theatre on Sept. 19, but due to problems securing their U.S. visas, the tour went sour. But if the documentary Benda Bilili! is any indication, not even the U.S. government will be able to stop them. [Read more]

Filed Under: Festivals, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011

Acadie

September 20, 2011 by Don Richardson Leave a comment

Denis and I were on holiday in Eastern Canada this summer and one of our most poignant memories was our visit to Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia. We stayed with friends who enjoy this view in front of their house. We see a church built between 1922–1930 which commemorates the deportation of the Acadians of Minas Basin. In the mists behind the church are farmlands which flow down to Horton landing, an area of marshlands believed to be the site where Acadians from this area were deported. From these mists arises a formidable history. [Read more]

Filed Under: Street Photography by Denis Bouvier, Vol 12 – No 15 | September 20 to October 4, 2011