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Nominated for Best Feature Length Documentary Genie Award |
Directed by DAVID YORK
Producers:
DAVID YORK
NICK HECTOR
BRYN HUGHES
BONNIE THOMPSON
Canada
Run Time: 94 minutes
Language: ENGLISH
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The RCFF committee is pleased to offer a new addition to the festival this year. A special preview night will be held at the Arts Station on Friday, March 16th with two additional screenings, included for all festival pass holders or just $5 for this night only. The bar at the Blue Toque will be open prior to each screening for beverage purchases.
Wiebo's War
Friday, March 16th at 7pm
Presented in conjunction with Think Tank Cinema
Convicted in 2001 of vandalism against gas installations in northern Alberta, Wiebo Ludwig has been portrayed as an eco-terrorist by the Canadian press. Director, David York digs deeper to show a different side to this complex and charismatic man. Ludwig and his family moved from Ontario to Alberta in the 1980s wanting to live in accordance with their Christian beliefs. There they built an isolated community, self-sufficient in terms of food and energy, unaware that their farmland sat on one of the largest natural gas fields in North America. Believing the gas extraction process is polluting his land and causing health problems within his family, he begins to fight back.
This compelling and disturbing documentary raises questions about the rich and powerful oil and gas corporations and the industry-friendly government that supports them.
Reviews:
Whatever it is that Ludwig is guilty of, Wiebo's War does place you into his world, and makes one question what one's own response would be to profound provocation.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
No question he’s obsessed and probably a little paranoid. But that works out well for filmmaker David York. Determined not to let the media – or the law – distort their motives and define the narrative for their political actions, the family began filming every encounter they had with the gas company and law authorities a few years into the process. York mines this treasure trove of footage with great skill. Terrorist or revolutionary? Wiebo’s War lets you decide.
Susan G. Cole, NOW Toronto
Sisters&Brothers
Friday, March 16th at 9pm
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Directed by CARL BESSAI
Starring:
CORY MONTEITH
DUSTIN MILLIGAN
AMANDA CREW
GABRIELLE MILLER
KACEY ROHL
Scott Speedmanndie MacDowel
Canada
Run Time: 90 minutes
Language: ENGLISH |
Justin is a hot young star living in L.A. who regularly gets swarmed by fanatical girls, while his brother Rory lives in his shadow and promotes a slightly dubious charity. Louise is devoted to the well-being of her schizophrenic brother Jerry whose behaviour is becoming increasingly volatile. Psychologically fragile Maggie resents her stepsister Nikki, an aspiring actress, yet the two wind up taking a bizarre road trip to L.A. in pursuit of Nikki's breakthrough role. Sarah, a fiery-tempered teen finds another reason to be angry with her mother Marion, when her half-sister Sita, a result of Marion's fling at an ashram in India, appears on the scene.
Vancouver's Carl Bessai takes a funny look into the lives of four sets of siblings bringing together an ensemble cast, including Cory Monteith of Glee fame. The film portrays the complicated bonds and rivalries of each sibling relationship and paints a very recognizable portrait of contemporary life.
Reviews:
A wonderfully sweet and poignant comedy that goes in all kinds of unexpected directions. Bruce Demara, Toronto Star
Layered with comic book-style transitions and interview asides, it's always buiding to a massive final confrontation of family fireworks. Sky Movies
Canadian Connection - Carl Bessai was born in Edmonton and lives in Vancouver. He has worked extensively in the film industry. His films include Johnny (’99), Lola (’01), Emile )’03), Severed (’05), Unnatural & Accidental (’06), Normal (’07), Mothers&Daughters (’08), Cole ('09), Repeaters ('10) and Fathers&Sons ('10.)
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