Hot Docs: The Great North Korean Picture Show – James Leong & Lynn Lee

Wednesday evening, I got a look inside the world of acting and film in North Korea. What I found was an entertaining film, that despite being heavily monitored by the secretive state’s government (they reviewed all the dailies before they were allowed to be used, and some material couldn’t be used due to faults, according to them,…

Patch Town Set Visit

  In a destitute looking corner of Toronto (though it’s actually only about two blocks from my own apartment) a battered grey factory building stands defiant,  imposing itself against the chilling winter wind.  Inside it, however, a fantastic world is springing to life. A world that was first imagined by Craig Goodwill in his imaginative…

TIFF 2012: Come Out And Play – Makinov

  Several factors were in play to draw me into this screening, not the least of which was a fascination with what kind of director would so desire to remain anonymous that he would wear a mask on set and not even divulge his real name to anyone?  That and the fact that kids can…

Sex After Kids – Set Visit

  “Let the chaos begin,” director Jeremy Lalonde says, repositioning his trademark hat as he returns to his station at the monitor. “Action.” And the scene comes to life before my eyes. It’s mid-afternoon on the set of Sex After Kids and he’s watching an establishing shot of a party in the park. On the…