@ va Have an idea for a story? M arts@theotherpress.ca v vy Canadian film in focus > Toronto International Film Festival begins its season Jillian McMullen Staff Writer he Toronto International Film Festival has become a prestigious staple in the industry since its inception in 1976, inviting thousands of both national and international filmmakers to Canada’s largest city for two weeks of (often) career-launching galas and screenings. This year’s festival runs September 4 to 17. Although the festival is notably dominated by large Hollywood productions, organizers have an eye towards curating a lineup of homegrown talent as a way to combat an arguably overrepresented cinematic community. This year’s festival features films exploring themes such as Indigenous schooling, substance abuse, and racial inequality. Everyday Torontonians can look forward to experiencing the festival when tickets go on sale to the public on September 4. In fact, according to the TIFF website, it is the most widely publicly attended film festival in the world. Having spent my first year fresh out of high school attending a school in the big city, I remember the collective excitement at the possibility of celebrity sightings and, much more importantly, rush tickets. It seemed like a bizarre tradition for students to spend all day in class, then comically rush to a theatre to eagerly wait hours in line just for the possibility of getting discount ticket to screenings. Nevertheless, it was undeniably exciting. So, here’s three Canadian films that not only caught my eye, but also promise to bypass the “rush ticket ritual” to become readily accessible for those of us not in the “Six.” Long Time Running, dir. by Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier One of only two Canadian films to receive a gala presentation, this highly anticipated documentary follows The Tragically Hip after lead singer Gord Downie’s brain cancer diagnosis. The film tracks the iconic band’s struggle through performing in the midst of Downie’s chemo and radiation treatment on their 2016 Man Machine Poem tour. Considering Long Time Running’s national release after TIFF as well as the fact that I think most Canadian millennials consider The Tragically Hip part of the soundtrack of their youth, this film will undoubtedly be one to catch on a day off. Alias Grace, dir. by Mary Harron This adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name follows the story of an Irish immigrant in the mid-1gth century who killed her employer and his housekeeper. While her sanity is being assessed years later, the story of what actually happened reveals itself to be much more complicated than previously imagined as themes of xenophobia and gender inequality are addressed. The adaptation is actually a six-part miniseries, with the first two episodes premiering at the festival. This format is ideal for those of you who would rather enjoy films in the comfort of your home, as it Local folk rock at its simple, true roots Chairman of the Board: Pulps and paperbacks (¥ ‘Rainbow’ album review And more! Still image from ‘Long Time Running’ will premiere on CBC in late September. Luk’ Luk’, dir. by Wayne Wapeemukwa This film is particularly interesting for the Other Press readers because of its location, as it follows the lives of five marginalized Vancouverites during the 2010 Olympics. These Vancouverites include a sex worker, a heroin addict, a disabled man, a man struggling with mental illness, and local celebrity Roller Girl, who plays herself in the film and can often be seen directing traffic at busy city intersections. Although Vancouver is often the backdrop in Hollywood films, it is not often the actual setting of them, so seeing a film about the reality of this city could be very enlightening. Local folk rock at its simple, true roots > ‘Places You've Been’ LP review Caroline Ho Arts Editor kek f youre looking for genuine indie spirit from a local artist, Chris Ho's new record hits all the right notes. The Vancouver-born singer- songwriter released his LP Places You’ve Been on September 3, the follow-up to his 2013 debut album City of Dust. Places You've Been is largely self- produced, and it contains eight solid tracks imbued with an indominable essence of heartfelt authenticity. Ho describes his music as similar to artists such as The Lumineers and early Sam Roberts. His lively folk-rock sound distinguishes itself through its lyrical fluidity and simple yet effective instrumentation, including guitars, drums, keys, and the mandolin. Ho said via email with the Other Press that he aimed for a “less is more” approach to accompaniment on this record, with the “instrumental production for the most part play[ing] a strictly supportive role” to the lyrics and vocals. The melodies resulting from this mix are charming and catchy. The album starts off strongly with the opening track, “For Now,” which might be the catchiest song on the record. From the gentle drums that herald the song, to lyrics that hint at “changing seasons” and a “rocky shore,” the track seems imbued with an unmistakably West Coast quality—although that might partly be caused by Ho’s earnest, unassuming vocals, lending the song and indeed the entire record a kind of down-to-earth-ness that are able to make anything feel local and personal. Some of the tracks off Places You’ve Been might be characterized as fairly upbeat soft rock; others are infused with a more country-influenced sound, such as “Woman of the Wind.” Sweet and serene, this song’s gentle guitar arpeggios throughout are complemented in the chorus by some lovely vocal harmonizing. “It’s Not You” is one of those songs that starts off relatively soft and builds in energy over the course of the piece. Beginning with a simple choral serenade, each successive verse and chorus adds a layer of liveliness and depth to the music, giving the song an overall satisfying structure. The strongest aspect of the record as a whole is its sense of pure honesty. “Places You've Been’ especially embodies this intimacy—fittingly enough, as it is the titular track. Lines like “Another rodeo in Calgary / Yet another reason to try and drink your worries away” are sung with an almost wry familiarity that prompts the listener with a sense of shared experience. Even without paying attention to the lyrics, the heartfelt timbre of Ho’s vocals is evident in itself, particularly in the song’s chorus. Part of this whole record’s authenticity might be because, according to Ho, many of the vocals on Places You've Been were recorded in the shower, which might be the ultimate indie recording space. That’s not at all to say that the record sounds unfinished; CHRIS HO PLACES YOU'VE BEEN Album Cover Places You've Been by Chris Ho rather, it largely manages to uphold a delicate balance between empathetic rawness and polished production. A few of the tracks on the record do sound a bit similar to one another. However, it’s a short enough record that, for the most part, the resemblance succeeds in cohesiveness rather than repetitiveness, tied together by a wholly refreshing sense of organic honesty. Ho will be holding a record release show in Vancouver’s Blue Light Studio on September 15 to promote Places You've Been.