DVD Club: The Snow Walker
Here's something to warm your movie-loving hearts: The DVD CLUB's selection for November is THE SNOW WALKER, just in time for the cold weather. When we surveyed First Weekend Club members about their favourite Canadian films, this was one of the top picks. And, of course, it is one of ours too.
Based on a Farley Mowat short story, "The Snow Walker" is a remarkable journey of discovery in the vast and dangerous beauty of the Northwest Territories. The film follows Charlie Halliday (Barry Pepper), a self-obsorbed pilot in 1950s Yellowknife and Kanaalaq, and a quiet, resourceful Inuit girl (Annabella Piugattuk) who begin an odyssey of transformation and survival after their plane crashes in the remote Arctic tundra. Directed and adapted to the screen by noted character actor and director/writer Charles Martin Smith, the film mesmerizes with its breathtaking vistas and its gripping message that we shouldn't ever give up on ourselves.
So rent or buy the film & join us on the FORUM for a moderated discussion.
Q&A WITH THE TALENT BEHIND THE FILM...
This is also your chance to find out all about the behind-the-scenes action with the filmmakers. That's right, we will have two very special guests joining us on the forum, including noted actor, writer and director Charles Martin Smith whose roles include American Graffiti, The Untouchables, Never Cry Wolf and many more. His numerous TV & film directing credit also include the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the highly successful family film, Air Bud and his upcoming film, Stone of Destiny, which made its North American premiere as the closing gala at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. Our second guest is producer extraordinaire Rob Merilees, a frequent collaborator of Smith's. He has worked on a variety of film projects including The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Sleepwalking, Just Friends, Capote, Saved!, and Stone of Destiny. Recently, Merilees was awarded the CFTPA Producer's Award for his work.
And guess what - just by participating on the forum, you can win the gift of movies. Just post your questions or comments on the forum and each post will count as an entry towards winning 1 of 2 gift certificates from Videomatica.ca allowing you to rent movies online for free for an entire month! The more you post, the more chances you have of winning. Just make sure to email us the links to the posts by Nov 25th, along with your full name to:
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WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO RENT OR BUY "THE SNOW WALKER"?
Why not try one of our partners: Both Videomatica (1855 W. 4th Avenue, Vancouver & online at Videomatica.ca across Canada) and Black Dog Video (986 Queen Street West, Toronto) have copies of "The Snow Walker" stocked up - so be sure to grab yours today.
DVD Club: Up the Yangtze
We are thrilled to announce that our pick for DVD of the Month for October is Yung Chang’s powerfully poetic documentary, UP THE YANGTZE. Since its release, the film has received many honours and acclaims, including the Grand Jury Prize nomination at the Sundance Film Festival and a spot amongst Canada's Top Ten 2007 at the Toronto International Film Festival. But, perhaps more importantly, "Up the Yangtze" has also captured hearts and minds with its touching tale amidst the sweeping shots of the magnificent Yangtze river.
As the Three Gorges Dam nears completion, it is set to displace some two million people. One of the families being displaced is the poor family of 16-year-old Yu Shui. When we meet her, she had just finished middle school and in an emotionally charged, heartbreaking scene, we discover that her parents can barely afford to get by, let alone pay for the high school education that Yu Shui desires. To gather money, she is sent to work aboard one of the luxury ‘farewell’ cruise ships.
There, in this movie of contrasts, we meet her co-worker, Chen Bo Yu, an arrogant only child from a middle-class family who is blessed with good looks, a pleasant voice and a keen ear for English. His sole ambition in life seems to be securing a fortune, partially inspired by the so-called "American Way". He represents what is sometimes referred to as the "little emperor" and what is increasingly becoming the future voice of China.
These characters lead us on a surreal journey as we slip from the shore to the boat, from the boat to the shore, above deck (where the Westerners are, arguably, exposed to an illusion - a disneyland-like view of China) and below deck, where workers of various classes struggle.
China is a country that is rapidly changing, but all this change and prosperity seems to come with a price tag that very few can afford. And "Up the Yangtze" is the sort of unsettling, beautifully haunting documentary that few can afford NOT to see.
"Up the Yangtze" is scheduled for release on DVD on Oct 7th (with some great special features) - rent or buy the movie and then join us on our online forum as we discuss the film as well as the powerful topics that charge it. Also, joining us for a Q&A is director Yung Chang - so don't miss your chance to post all your burning questions for him on the forum.
