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February is the most significant month for the film industry and this year I was encouraged by the movies that transformed from hidden figures under moonlight into award winners in the spotlight. There has been a rise in on-screen confrontation to the cultural divides that still dominate our society. The films showcased at the 2017…
Hogan’s Alley has played a significant part in Vancouver’s history, yet is one aspect of this city’s past often ignored that goes unacknowledged by its citizens. The documentary, Secret Vancouver: Return to Hogan’s Alley, will be showcased by the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Seniors Lifelong Learning Society at SFU’s Vancouver campus on Feb. 18. Secret…
After Spring, a 2016 documentary, uncovers life in the Zaatari Refugee Camp by following two families and an aid worker. The film is being presented at KDocs Film Festival, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s annual documentary screening event. The festival runs Feb. 16 to Feb. 19. Since the start of the Syrian conflict six years ago, more…
When the four Grant siblings learned their late father’s ancestral village, Sei Moon, was about to disappear, they finally decided to go to Guangdong, China for the first time. “Our uncle was the one that suggested we go on the trip, because China was going to put the bullet train through the village. Uncle said…
This year’s Vancouver Turkish Film Festival (VTFF) holds special significance in light of the country’s recent challenges. The festival takes place in partnership with the Vancouver International Film Festival at VIFF Vancity Theatre, running from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27. “Our goal is to bring the best of contemporary art cinema that resonates with international…
Filmmaker Sebnem Ozpeta is a recent recipient of the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for Film and New Media under the category of Emerging Artist. Ozpeta channels her passion as a videographer, storyteller and as an experimental artist, incorporating visual layers of information to add depth and emotion to her films. Her obsession with…
In Mixed Match, a documentary by Jeff Chiba Stearns, medical information and animation come together to give the audience insight on an issue that is not well known but one in which willing participants can help to save lives. Mixed Match shows at Vancouver’s Asian Film Festival running Nov. 3–6. The genetic makeup “The documentary…
Film has always been used as a mean of expression. In Polish culture, the medium serves as a window to the past as well as a means to explore contemporary life in Poland. Vancouver Polish Film Festival (VPFF) returns (Oct. 21–23) with a selection of ten unique films. Co-presented by Simon Fraser University’s Woodward’s Cultural…
Eric Chu, film design guest of honour at the upcoming Vancouver’s Premier Science Fiction, Fantasy and Games Convention (VCON), will be talking about his experience working onBattlestar Galactica as well participating in a group panel about a new project, the SF puppet show Gerry Anderson’s Firestorm. The VCON convention will be held at Surrey’s Sheraton…
Leon Lee never expected to become a filmmaker, but an article from an independent Chinese language newspaper started it all. After reading a story in the local media about forced organ harvesting, information he says he could never have learned about in China, he realized that independent media were crucial to a strong and free…
Animation has the ability to provide an experience that is simply impossible in reality. The expansion of Japanese culture around the world, and into Vancouver, was mainstreamed through anime and is described by SFU Anime Club executives, Stephanie Wu and Chris Baek, as “very open and versatile to anyone.” The three main aspects of Japanese…
When filmmaker Mina Shum found out she won the director-writer-producer with Finalé Artistic Achievement Award, she was elated. Women in Film and Television Vancouver notified her of the Spotlight award in March through an email. Last February, Teri Snelgrove at the National Film Board nominated Shum for the award. She attributes the success of her recent…
Cambodia is like a mother. One day she became sick—hurting—dying—she could no longer take care of her children. She had to let them go. “One day I’ll call you back.” And now—today—right now—She’s calling us. So begins the trailer for Cambodian street art documentary The Roots Remain (2015). It was 2012 when Montreal-based graffiti artist…
