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Eternal Spring: Hope, Truth and Television Hijacking

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Combining 3D animation and interview footage, the new documentary Eternal Spring transports the viewer back to Communist China in 2006. Retracing the life of comic book illustrator Daxiong and a team of Chinese activists, the film follows the events leading up to a daring plan to hack into the state’s television broadcast in order to help speak out against their propaganda. 

Directed by Jason Loftus, Eternal Spring is a fascinating documentary that bridges the gap between thriller and spiritual inquest. As he delves into the story of China’s television hijacking, Loftus tells his story with such enthusiasm that one cannot help but be caught up in the heist. Based upon Daxiong’s stunning graphic novels, the animation is often eye-popping and entertaining, infusing the film with the energy and style that defines the very best of heist thrillers. 

Interestingly, extensive use of animation within documentaries can often allow for a certain level disconnect from the storytelling as a viewer. (For example, last year’s Oscar-nominated doc Flee is an excellent example of a film that uses its colourful animation to create a safe distance from the personal nature of the storytelling.) However, Spring never allows the viewer to feel too disconnected from reality. By introducing us to some of the players involved and showing photos of those who are no longer with us, Loftus keeps the story very much on the ground. By balancing animated recreations with a dose of reality, the viewer is never allowed to lose sight of the fact that the story is true and continues to impact culture today. 

As a result, Eternal Springs works on the number of levels. For example, through his exploration of the heist narrative, Loftus explores the nature of heroism. Whereas a Daxiong initially views his heroes of his past with a certain admiration, the film highlights the importance of social action today. Through the risks taken by these men and women, Springs recognizes the heroic acts of those who fight for the rights of others in our current culture, as opposed to hundreds of years ago. This argument bends the film towards its social justice roots, a theme that one doesn’t usually find within heist thrillers. Our investment in these men and women is not simply because they’re the protagonists. 

We cheer for them because they’re fighting for the people. 

At the same time though, Springs is also a fascinating exploration on the impact of spiritual health in an environment of control. Although the ancient Buddhist practice of Falon Gong is one that preaches peace and nonviolence, its popularity and roots within tradition seem to be a threat to communist ideologies. As a result, the Communist Party attempts to eradicate it from the hearts and minds of the people. However, as these militant and women recognize, there’s also hope that lies within the practice that brings healing to its participants. In this way, the film also notes the value of spirituality in times of oppression by providing hope for those that have none.

Sharply executed, Eternal Spring is absolute thrill from start to finish. Through his enthusiastic story-telling, Loftus unravels a gripping story of truth and justice. More than this though, Springs also points to the importance of spiritual healing, especially at the hands of persecution. 

Eternal Spring is available in theatres on Friday, September 23rd, 2022.

GIVEAWAY! Advance Screening of SMILE!

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Welcome to horror season!

Smile is a terrifying tale and we’re giving away passes to see it before it’s released in theatres! Thanks to our friends at TARO PR, we’re giving away two double passes to see Smile in Toronto, Montreal (French and English), Edmonton, and Vancouver on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022!

DATE
Saturday, July 9th, 2022

LOCATION
Toronto – 10:30am @ Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP
Vancouver – 10:30am @ Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas
Montreal ENG – 10:30am @ Scotiabank Theatre Montreal
Montreal FRE – 10:30am @ Cinéma Starcité Montréal
Edmonton – 10:30am @ Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

In order to enter, simply tell us your city, like/share this post on Facebook, and/or Twitter and tell us the name of the actor who plays Dr. Rose Cotter!

Winners will receive a double pass to the pre-screening of Smile on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022

All entries must be received by 11:59pm on Tuesday, September 27th, 2022.

@smilemovie

GIVEAWAY! NOPE on 4K Combo Pack!

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We’ve got a giveaway for you that’s scary good!

Thanks to our friends at TARO PR, we’re giving away 2 4K combo packs of Nope.

Directed by Jordan Peele, Nope tells the story of two siblings who run a horse ranch in California only to discover that something wonderful and sinister in the skies above, while the owner of an adjacent theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon.

In order to enter, simply like/share this post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and name one of the other films directed by Jordan Peele.

Winners will receive a 4K Combo pack of Nope!

All entries must be received by 11:59pm on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022.

Young Plato – Grade school philosophy

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“It’s very hard to be right in philosophy.”

I was in college when I had my first class in philosophy. We may think philosophy too hard, esoteric, or maybe even a waste of time. But in the documentary Young Plato, filmmakers Neasa Ní Chianáin and Declan McGrath, take us to a primary school in the North of Belfast that thrives on bringing philosophy into the lives of the students and their families. At the center of this is a headmaster whose office is filled with Elvis memorabilia and who reads The Daily Stoic.

At Holy Cross Boys Primary School, Head Master Kevin McArevey and his staff teach boys ages 4 through 11 how to deal with the issues of life by applying the questions of philosophy. When two boys scuffle in the school yard, they are brought to McArevey who takes them to the Philosophy wall to discuss the whys of behavior and consequences. Philosophy here takes on flesh and blood to become an important tool to address the past, the here-and-now, and the future.

The school is located in a predominantly Catholic area of the city. The neighborhood was a place of violence during The Troubles. The parents of the children grew up with that violence. There are still Peace Walls that separate various blocks. There are many murals that go back to that time, or are meant to memorialize the violence. There is also an incident when a pipe bomb is found near the schoolyard. The neighborhood is also somewhat decayed. There are drugs. There is an above average suicide rate.

McArevey talks to the boys about such serious concepts as death, violence, anxiety. He asks them to think about the whys, and also about the what-should- we-do’s. Sometimes this in in one-on-one encounters, especially following a boy resorting to violence at school. Other times it is in a class filled with students.

The students (keep in mind the oldest are 11) have a remarkable ability to analyze. When he asked them to refute Heraclitus’s statement “You can’t step into the same river twice”, they come up with two examples of things that never change. (I won’t share them with you. Can you think as well as these boys?) When McArevey talks to them about Seneca’s (a Roman contemporary of Jesus) Ten Ways to Control Your Anger, he asks them for ways, then compared them to Seneca (and they get several of them).

He also challenges the boys to question everything—even their teachers and parents. He tells them to “what if everything you hear”. Often boys who fight will tell him that they have been taught that if they are hit, they must hit back. That is certainly a common idea, but especially in a place such as Belfast with its violent history. He tries to show the boys how to talk with parents about such teachings.

The history of violence in the neighborhood comes up often. McArevey shows them news reports of things that happened there. He encourages the boys to share the stories of their family in those days. For them, The Troubles are not limited to the past. That time is an ever-present part of their environment. It is only by learning to view that history critically, that the boys can help to change the culture they are in.

The publicity for the film identifies McArevey as a Stoic. Stoics believe that happiness is found through virtue. In a place such as Northern Ireland, that may seem like a radical idea. But we see that such an approach to life can be fruitful.

I know that education is a complicated endeavor. But watching what happens at Holy Cross offers a glimpse at a possibility that might be transferable to other settings. It makes it clear that children—even as young as these—are capable of very sophisticated thinking. We may be right that philosophy is hard or esoteric, but it does matter. And the Boys of Holy Cross are better for it.

Young Plato is in select theaters.

Photos courtesy of Solisiú Films

Bandit: Finding the Good in the Bad Guy

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Sometimes, the bad guy isn’t really a bad guy.

Directed by Allan Ungar, Bandit is a free-wheeling heist extravaganza that will steal your heart. With a pop flare, the film is fun, furious and energetic in unexpected ways. Through its breaking of the fourth wall, voiceovers and text overlays, Ungar keeps the emphasis on the fun without ever losing the film’s heart and soul. In some ways, the film feels like a bit of an anomaly for Canadian cinema. While a great deal of homegrown films are hilarious, they are often embedded with a sense of self-reflection or seriousness to balance out the humour. But Bandit takes the opposite approach. Possessed with the spirit of Ocean’s Eleven, the film revels in the criminal underworld with such glee that one cannot help but be caught up within the fun. 

Set in 1985, Bandit tells the true story of Gilbert Galvan Jr. (Josh Duhamel), a career criminal who breaks out of prison and escapes to Canada to start his life over. And, after he falls in love with Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert), Galvan feels inspired to finally give up his life of crime… until he realizes that he can’t possibly provide for his new family. Wanting to make ends meet (and maybe a little more), Galvan begins a rash of daring bank robberies across the country, earning him the name ‘The Flying Bandit’. However, after he gets involved with gangster Tommy Kay (Mel Gibson), the police begin to get wise to his antics and look to put an end to his crime spree.

Of course, what makes the film most unique is the fact that its rooted in history. Like all biopics, there’s little doubt that the film is willing to play with the facts—but Ungar wants to ensure that the audience knows that the wildest moments are accurate. Through playfully-executed text overlays, Ungar does his very best to ground the film in the history books. As a result, part of the magic of Bandit is that the outlandishness of its stories is rooted in truth, giving a surprisingly credibility to the film.

While the supporting cast do well with what they’re given, it’s Duhamel who looks like he’s having more fun than he has in years. Once praised for his boyish charm, Duhamel has taken a wide range of projects in recent years that keep him on the sidelines. (For example, although technically a lead in the Transformers franchise, Duhamel constantly takes a backseat to the giant robots that battle furiously all around him.) But in Bandit, Duhamel is invited to play with the toys that he has been given and thrives on centre stage. With ridiculous costumes and that a charming grin, its been a long time since Duhamel has looked as at home in a character as he does as Galvan Jr. 

What’s also interesting about the script for Bandit is that it also takes away some of the blame from the infamous Flying Bandit. On several occasions, Bandit goes out of its way to point out the damage created by a broken system that prevents people from earning an honest day’s wage. Set in the recession of the 1980s, this is a time where employment is fleeting (even for ice cream men) and everyone is struggling. With this in mind, the film takes much of the responsibility off of Galvan’s shoulders and places in on a broken society that forces its people to compromise their values to survive. (In fact, in even the police detectives point out the challenges of simply trying to pay the bills.) 

Similarly, Bandit not only challenges the system, but also highlights the importance of knowing people’s stories. Whereas Galvin is viewed as a thief for his actions, so too does understanding his situation help the viewer to see him with eyes of grace. We hold him accountable for his heists but we also see his humanity. As such, this is a story which is clearly told with affection as the script brings the ex-con’s criminal charm to life. He loves his family and wants to get his life together and ‘go straight’. (In fact, it’s worth noting that Galvin Jr. himself served as a consultant for the film and even cameos in the background in several places.) 

While Galvan may be the bad guy, we don’t think that he’s fully a bad guy. 

It’s that magic and charisma that keeps Bandit running. Fueled by fun, Ungar weaves a tale of thievery with such delight that one can’t help but root for the bad guy, even as he racks up the heists..

After all, he’s not really that bad.

Bandit is available in theatres and on demand on Friday, September 23rd, 2022.