Summer Qamp Camp fyrefly

TIFF 2023: ‘Summer Qamp’ – A Free-Flowing Portrait of LGBTQ+ Youth

While some states have seemingly taken on war against young LGBTQ+ individuals, other locations have become havens. In the case of Camp fYrefly, some youth in Canada have the freedom to find their voice. The documentary Summer Qamp examines a seeming paradise for teens who will have to return to the difficult lives they lead. … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘Summer Qamp’ – A Free-Flowing Portrait of LGBTQ+ Youth

Toll Carolina Markowicz 2023

TIFF 2023: ‘Toll’ – Carolina Markowicz Sensual Tale of Repression

We often rely upon parents to create a nurturing environment. Yet discovering our parents are flawed human beings comes as a shock to most. Sadly, many others come to this realization earlier in life. The emotional abuse suffered by LGBTQ+ people often comes at the hands of bullies and parents. It's upsetting how often the … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘Toll’ – Carolina Markowicz Sensual Tale of Repression

God is a Woman TIFF 2023

TIFF 2023: ‘God is a Woman’ – Memory and Tradition Framed Through Cinema

The power of film on the collective memory of a community can rarely be understood. Documentary remains one of the most impactful ways to remember a place, a time, and a culture. Yet the true power of these films stems from the emotion that rises naturally over their runtimes. While God is a Woman begins … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘God is a Woman’ – Memory and Tradition Framed Through Cinema

The Umbrella Men Escape From Robben Island

TIFF 2023: ‘The Umbrella Men: Escape From Robben Island’ – A High Energy Crime Sequel

In 2022, The Umbrella Men surprised as a wildly entertaining heist film. The South African caper gave strong Ocean’s vibes and was one of the most rewatchable genre films of TIFF 2022. To our surprise, a sequel to that fun film landed at TIFF 2023. With Director John Barker returning, The Umbrella Men: Escape From … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘The Umbrella Men: Escape From Robben Island’ – A High Energy Crime Sequel

TIFF 2022: ‘My Imaginary Country’ Dissects 50 Years of Chilean Political History

Director Patricio Guzmán may not be a household name. Yet his documentary series, The Battle of Chile, made him one of the principal figures in capturing Chilean history on film. After being on the ground to capture the beginnings of the Allende revolution and the rise of Pinochet, Guzmán’s more than proved his credibility. Yet … Continue reading TIFF 2022: ‘My Imaginary Country’ Dissects 50 Years of Chilean Political History

TIFF 22: ‘While We Watched’ Tells an Urgent Tale

The rising tide of nationalism is not a unique event in the global marketplace. In Greece, the Golden Dawn rose to power at an alarming rate. In the United States, the MAGA movement and Trumpism have created deep political rifts. For India, the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become its own hot button … Continue reading TIFF 22: ‘While We Watched’ Tells an Urgent Tale

TIFF 2022: ‘The Umbrella Men’ Delivers a Flawed But Fun Heist Adventure

When jumping into a genre as defined as the heist film, you must bring something unique to the table. In the case of The Umbrella Men, a South African caper from John Barker, we are introduced to an entirely new world. Featuring a unique background in terms of place and style, Barker crafts a fun … Continue reading TIFF 2022: ‘The Umbrella Men’ Delivers a Flawed But Fun Heist Adventure

TIFF 2022: ‘Fixation’ Puts an Excellent Maddie Hasson Through the Wringer

Looking back at 2022, it will be hard to ignore how many women were gaslit on the big screen. The phenomenon first gained its name from the 1944 noir starring Ingrid Bergman. That film was a cultural sensation, and the phrase has only grown in its colloquial use in the past decade. This rhetoric becomes … Continue reading TIFF 2022: ‘Fixation’ Puts an Excellent Maddie Hasson Through the Wringer