A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics Hot Docs 2015 Canadian Premiere GAT PR Press Summary
Hot Docs 2015: Character Studies By: Patrick Mullen | April 23, 2015
http://povmagazine.com/articles/view/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐character-‐studies A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics brings a gaggle of certified eccentrics as Oscar-‐winner John Zaritsky encourages moviegoers to live outside the box by illuminating the different shades that make his characters so colourful.
If Seth’s Dominion moves audiences with its nostalgic hues, then A Different Drummershows that every life is its own bright colour of the rainbow. The film features several eccentrics: vibrant oddballs who bring their own peculiarities to each chapter of the film. The film looks to a 1995 study from Dr. David Weeks, whose findings serve as intertitles dispersed throughout the film, as Zaritsky immerses himself in the diverse mindsets of a series of unique individuals. Three of the film’s subjects are among the original eccentrics of Dr. Weeks’s study, so, as Zaritsky humorously observes, “they were already certified by the expert’s diagnosis. The others came out of my own research on the Internet on eccentrics and certainly the expert didn’t disagree about my choices!” The director admits that he underwent a test of Dr.
Weeks’s eccentricity scale and scored 13½ on the fifteen-‐point scale. “So I was told this was a serious case and that I was probably incurable,” he jokes with a hearty humour akin to that of the film. A Different Drummer features larger-‐than-‐life individuals like Daniel, who defies convention by living without money, or Laura Kay (aka Vancouver’s Duck Lady), who runs charity drives with her trusty ducks. The flamboyant Darla, who plays the kazoo and stages Viking funerals, and Lord Toby Jub, the leader of Britain’s Raving Loony Party, also enjoy their lives as a series of grand performances. They embrace cartoonishness much like Seth creates a contemplative escape in his stories, or as Chartrand pops off the screen as vividly as her paintings do. “I had more fun on this shoot than ever,” Zaritsky remarks of his good company. The characters of A Different Drummer sometimes seem positively loony as they dress up and embrace the nonsensical, but they ultimately voice their own kind of sanity. “They’re actually healthier and saner than the normal population,” Zaritsky notes while describing how the film balances its infectious humour with the elements of mental illness implied in eccentricity. “That’s the great irony of it. We, the rest of society, generally regard them as ‘weirdos’ and possibly mentally ill when in fact they aren’t. They’re actually less prone to mental illness than the rest of us.” The finding echoes Dr. Weeks’s own conclusion, and Zaritsky’s effort is a fine companion piece to his work. The journey of A Different Drummer has an eccentric character arc itself, since Zaritsky first conceived of the project over a decade ago after reading Dr. Weeks’s book and deciding it would make a great film. Broadcasters didn’t agree, so, as Zaritsky jokes, he buried the idea in his “graveyard of broken dreams” until an interested party came along and he exhumed it. The film even has an added facet—subtly humorous animated interludes by Mark Ratzlaff, which provide Zaritsky with a new challenge and change from “serious and bloody documentaries.” Like its animated counterpart Seth’s Dominion, the film is a rare eccentric among documentaries. “The experts say it is a golden age of eccentricity,” Zaritsky adds, noting, “More people are allowed to be eccentric, and people in society are generally more accepting than they were years ago.” Whether A Different Drummer anticipates a greater awareness of eccentricity and mental health or is a product of a growing empathy is up to viewers, but Zaritsky hopes that the film encourages a greater shift in consciousness as audiences see the value in taking a different path. “But even more important,” Zaritsky adds, “are the young kids who are being bullied because they’re ‘weirdos’ or different from the crowd. I hope the film will help the parents and families of kids like that. Or the kids themselves will see that it’s alright, it’s okay to be different.” A Different Drummer underscores a philosophy that resides in the characters of Finding Macpherson and Seth’s Dominion. All three films champion the outsiders—people for whom history and conventional society don’t always have a place. By immersing the audience in a world of eccentrics, A Different Drummer challenges the very idea of normalcy by presenting eccentricity as a new norm. Similarly, Seth’s Dominion draws out the beauty of living in one’s own world with the pensive rhythm of its introspective animation. “Every life is amazing, and Seth is fascinated by all the small details of life,” Chamberland concludes, and this passion could equally characterize Chartrand as she burrows into the hidden details of Macpherson’s life and in turn explores her own history. All these characters, both the ones on the screen and the characters behind the cameras, smartly defy convention. “Everybody is different,” Zaritsky concludes, “and I think that’s the point of the study and the film. How many of us actually dare to be different? Not enough people, in my view.” Fortunately, for audiences, these three filmmakers dare to be different with their unique character studies. Their memorable characters make these documentaries stand out from the crowd.
Eccentricity documentary 'A Different Drummer' celebrates quirks By: Anna Maria Tremonti | April 22, 2015
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-‐current-‐for-‐april-‐22-‐2015-‐1.3043453/eccentricity-‐documentary-‐ a-‐different-‐drummer-‐celebrates-‐quirks-‐1.3043462
"Come on, live! You only get one stab at life. It's not video, you can't press the replay button ... So as I once said famously, I'm trying to cram as much silliness in as I possibly can. And it's working for me."-‐ John Ward, British Inventor John Ward gets many smiles as he scoots around town on one of his own inventions, billed as the world's only 3-‐wheeled fire engine. And it's just one of his many, many inventions to date... Such as the musical frying pan, the safety net for yo-‐yos and the bra warmer. It's an eccentric collection, which he's happy to admit. Eccentricity is something's he's more than happy to embrace.
John Ward, the British investor is just one of the cast of eccentric characters featured in a new documentary film titled, A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics. It's screening this Sunday as part of the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto. •
John Zaritsky is the writer and director of the film. He joined us from Vancouver.
•
David Weeks is a Consultant Clinical neuropsychologist. And it was his work, the first major study of eccentrics, that inspired this film. He was in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Do you consider yourself an eccentric? Or do you know someone who is? How has eccentricity affected your life? Tweet us at @thecurrentcbc or find us on Facebook. And as always send us an email through our website. Wondering how eccentric you are? There's a way to find out. Here's a short quiz. This segment was produced by The Current's Liz Hoath.
HOT DOCS 2015 REVIEW: A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS By: William Brownridge | April 25, 2015
http://thetfs.ca/2015/04/25/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐review-‐a-‐different-‐drummer-‐celebrating-‐eccentrics/
Inspired by David Week’s book Eccentrics: A Study of Sanity and Strangeness, director John Zaritsky follows a number of people considered eccentric. From a man who decided to live in caves without money, to a Vancouver woman who takes her duck for walks in the neighbourhood, this film explores the idea that eccentrics live healthier and happier lives, and are also some of the most giving people in the world. For anybody who has ever felt a little outside of the norm, A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics is the film to watch. We often think of people who don’t conform to the idea of ‘normal’ as a little crazy, but if
there’s anything to learn from this documentary, it’s that the ‘normal’ people may be the ones who are crazy. This group of eccentrics are always happy and spend their time giving to others. Some are still incredibly active in their later years, attributing their health to the fact that they’re a little different. What’s so interesting about this film is seeing how much better the world would be if we all embraced a little eccentricity now and then. By sharing these stories, we see a group of people who give of their time and money to those in need, and enjoy a quality of life we all strive for. IS A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICSESSENTIAL FESTIVAL VIEWING? Not only is this an entertaining and touching film, but it’s also an inspiring message to anybody who doesn’t fit in and may feel uncomfortable with that. A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS SCREENING TIMES §
Sunday, April 26, 2015 – 8:45 pm – TIFF Bell Lightbox
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Tuesday, April 28, 2015 – 2:15 pm – TIFF Bell Lightbox
More About A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICSTRAILER
A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS @ HOT DOCS 2015 By: Jacob Dube | April 30, 2015
http://www.thescopeatryerson.ca/en/thescope/news/567/A-‐Different-‐Drummer-‐Celebrating-‐Eccentrics-‐ @-‐Hot-‐Docs-‐2015.htm Every once in a while, among the monochrome suits walking to their next meeting while keeping to themselves, an eccentric will appear. They could be doing anything from riding their unicycle to taking their pet iguana on a walk, but it is refreshing to know they are among us. This is the group of people that Oscar-‐ winning documentarian John Zaritsky attempts to present in his film A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics. The film follows the stories of seven eccentrics across the U.S.A and Canada; a man who hasn’t used money in 12 years, a woman with a closet that looks more like the backroom of a costume emporium, the owner of a magical healing duck, and so on. Each person has about 10-‐15 minutes to showcase their eccentricity and give us a reason to care, then the film abruptly moves on to the next one. This method of presentation makes it hard to develop any real connection with the subjects, and their stories just go out the other ear. At the times when the film does delve deeper into their lives, like when Laura-‐Kay Prophet’s homelessness is addressed, the delivery feels forced and confusing, as it was quickly mentioned and just as quickly forgotten between scenes of ducks. The film does raise some interesting questions on what it takes to be an eccentric, and what being “normal” really means, but it lacks the cohesion that would make any real point to the film apparent. Each person brings their own issues and themes and the film ends up trying to take on way more than it can handle. Although the characters themselves often present interesting and humorous subject matter, the shoddy editing and rushed feel of the film turns what could have been an insight on social pressures and normalcy into a directionless parade of characters.
Hot Docs 2015 Review: A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics By: R. Duval | April 23, 2015
http://scenecreek.com/hot-‐docs/a-‐different-‐drummer/
“If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” – Henry David Thoreau
A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics is a documentary directed and written by Oscar winner John Zaritsky (for his 81’ The Fifth State TV episode “Just Another Missing Kid”). The film is actually based on psychologist David Weeks study called Eccentrics: A Study of Sanity and Strangeness. Both the study and film follows a group of several individuals, often considered weird, different, “crazy people.” Eccentrics. Each personal segment (some unnecessarily long and too dramatic) has about 10 minutes and discusses what exactly makes them so apart from society. They also show family and sometimes co-‐workers always hoping to understand these people. It’s an upbeat and fun documentary, because despite a few dramatic and cynic moments, most of the “study cases” are perfectly happy and fine living outside the norm. A Different Drummer also does a great job in asking what exactly is normal anyway. Zaritsky interviews this one family and, for the sons, their parents aren’t “eccentric.” It’s what they grew up with, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Sometimes it’s hard not to laugh and smile at some of the silliness (sometimes that’s the point), but never on a judging and harsh way. Why punish and shun people who dress or behave differently? There’s no rulebook on being normal, nor are you “supposed to” be just like everyone else. It’s what makes you different. Celebrate it.
Hot Docs 2015: A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics By: Sean Kelly | May 4, 2015
http://www.skonmovies.com/2015/05/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐different-‐drummer.html
A group of unique and somewhat odd individuals are profiled in A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics. Based on a ten year study by Dr. David Weeks, Academy award winning director John Zaritsky profiles a variety of individuals, who are considered to be eccentric to everybody except themselves. These individuals include Daniel, who gave up money and lives in caves, Darla, who likes dressing up and giving ghost tours, and Gary, who gives tours of San Francisco while dressed as a monk. A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics dives into the world of people, who society might view as weird or odd. Most of the individuals featured in the film do not personally consider themselves to be eccentrics and are often proud of their somewhat unusual behaviours. Throughout the film, there are quotes by Dr. David Weeks, which seems to suggest that eccentrics are better than so called “normal people.” The film also mentions some historical eccentrics, such as all but forgotten U.S. present Martin Van Buren and pianist Glenn Gould. A Different Drummer is a pretty fun film, featuring some very interesting individuals. Whether it be the guy running for the “Looney Party” or a lady that raises ducks, all of these eccentrics are proud of their place in the world, no matter what society might think of them. At the end of the day, everybody is different in some way. ★ ★ ★ ★ | LIKED IT
Hot Docs 2015: A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics Review
By: Phil Brown | April 23, 2015
http://dorkshelf.com/2015/04/23/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐a-‐different-‐drummer-‐celebrating-‐eccentrics-‐review/
A Different Drummer is a documentary with a subject too broad to contain in a single movie. The subject is certainly admirable, it’s just that 85 minutes barely allows Oscar-‐winning director John Zaritsky to scratch the surface. The film is about eccentrics and Zaritsky serves up a whole bunch of them. There’s a psychic in Vancouver who walks the streets with multiple pet ducks while giving out cash hidden in cookies. There’s a man who has given up money and lives in a cave. There’s a British oddball who invents the strangest things like a portable BBQ, a bra-‐warmer, and three-‐wheeled fire engine. There’s a man who gives guided eccentric tours of San Francisco dressed as a monk. There are others as well. Zaritsky doesn’t judge or mock the strange people he finds, but revels in their oddness and presents it as a virtue instead. That’s a perfectly reasonable approach and even a good idea for a film. The trouble is simply the lack of a clear focus. There’s nothing really connecting these various people, so the movie rattles along with an awkward episodic structure. Despite numerous nauseating inspirational quotes about the power of eccentricity that appear on screen, there’s not much of a thesis or conclusion that Zaritsky arrives at either. He merely plucks out a handful of random eccentrics, lets them tell their heartbreaking or hilarious stories, and then rolls the credits. The resulting movie certainly offers plenty of amusing moments, but it never congeals into a satisfying whole. A Different Drummer almost feels incomplete, as if all the raw footage for an interesting documentary has been assembled and now it needs to be shaped into a movie. It’s still worth a peak for the curious, but ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. Screens: Sunday, April 26, 8:45pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 4 Tuesday, April 28, 2:15pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
Hot Docs 15 – A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS
By: Shael Stolberg | April 26, 2015
http://filmbutton.com/mainpage/?p=17138
First Festival Screening – Sunday, April 26 @ 8:45pm
“There have always been eccentrics among us; it’s finally time to illuminate and celebrate them. Perhaps, in doing so, we’ll shed some light on our own neglected passions and potential.” – John Zaritsky Synopsis: An eclectic globe-‐trotting adventure, A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics, introduces us to several living and historical eccentric characters who flaunt their extraordinariness through their innovation, curiosity and non-‐conformity. Directed by Academy Award winning director John Zaritsky, the film explores the findings of Dr. David Weeks, a Scotland-‐based psychotherapist who claims that eccentrics live longer and are happier and healthier that those of us who cling to conformity.
A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS (#HotDocs15 Review) By: Matthew Hoffman | April 26, 2015
http://blacksheepreviews.com/a-‐different-‐drummer-‐celebrating-‐eccentrics-‐hotdocs15-‐review/ A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS Directed by John Zaritsky There is an art to making a successful film about eccentric people. Errol Morris captured this art brilliantly in his 1981 film, VERNON, FLORIDA. Now, Oscar-‐winning Canadian filmmaker John Zaritsky tackles the subject of the eccentric in his film A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS. The film follows seven self-‐labeled eccentrics living throughout Canada and the United States. Among them are Daniel, a Utah man who has abandoned the idea of money, choosing to live in caves and eat out of a dumpster. The film also depicts Laura-‐Kay, a woman who roams the streets of Vancouver with her duck, telling people their fortunes and giving money away to the homeless. The stories in the film are not connected in any way and each of the film’s subjects is given approximately ten to fifteen minutes of screen time. In this short amount of time, Zaritsky is rarely able to establish these people as characters in his film, instead leaving them as nothing more than spectacles.
For a film directed by an Oscar winner, A DIFFERENT DRUMMER is surprisingly poorly made. The film has no sense of style, using different documentary tools throughout. At one point in the film, Zaritsky suddenly decides to use reenactments on and off for about ten minutes, before abandoning this style completely. It can at times be a mildly entertaining film, but it lacks the substance of a great documentary. Not only is Zaritsky’s output disappointing, but he simply has no thesis for his film. One cannot just film clips of strange folks and expect it to work as a cohesive film.
A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICITIES screens at the HotDocs Canadian International Documentary Festival, as part of the Special Presentations program. Screening Schedule … Sunday, April 26, 8:45 PM, TIFF Bell Lightbox Tuesday, April 28, 2:15 PM, TIFF Bell Lightbox For more information and for tickets, please visit hotdocs.ca.
What Films To See At Hot Docs 2015 Festival By: Staff Writer | April 22, 2015 http://www.realstylenetwork.com/celebrities/2015/04/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐what-‐you-‐need-‐ to-‐see/
There’s a world of people out there, and each one is different from the other. Nothing suits this better than the documentary A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics. It looks at several oddballs who have shunned society and lived to their own beat. From Daniel, who lives in a Utah cave and has not used money for 15 years, to Laura, aka the Duck Lady, who wheels her pet duck around in a buggy and gives out cookies to the homeless, you will find a wide assortment of interesting people.
HOT DOCS 2015: A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS By: Greg Klymkiw | April 26, 2015 http://klymkiwfilmcorner.blogspot.ca/2015/04/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐different-‐drummer.html
Marching to the beat of one's own drum is not without merit and the title alone was enough to pique my curiosity, but then, my heart sank. During the first few minutes of A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics, I felt primed to hate it. Why wouldn't I? I detest both whimsy and standard TV-‐style docs -‐ both of which seem overbearingly present within the picture's opening. We get the digestible bite-‐sized thesis in which we learn how a ten-‐year study revealed that eccentrics are healthier, happier and indeed, manage to live longer than everybody else. We then get the de rigueur snippets of introductory interviews from what will be our wild, wooly and wacky subjects -‐ a lot of which are all set to a frightfully jaunty musical score. Ugh was dancing across my cerebellum and I almost flushed the sucker down the toilet bowl of unmentionables in order to slap on a different doc, but then, as if by magic, genuinely delightful movie magic began to snuggle up to me and the next ninety-‐or-‐so minutes yielded one of the
happiest, funniest and moving little pictures I'd seen in awhile. Zaritzky clearly loves his subjects, but not to the film's detriment. He settles in on each glorious nutcase (a man who lives in caves, a zany inventor, a duck lady, a "joke" politician, a man who celebrates a "useless" American president and one real lollapalooza I won't spoil for you here) with sensitivity and good humour. He's never laughing at them and neither will you. Some you'll laugh with and others you might even need to shed a few droplets of ocular moisture. At the end of the day, it has been said that I'm eccentric. As such, I luxuriated in Zaritzky's sweet, lovely ode to madness of the most glorious kind and I'd be delighted to host any one of these people in my own home. The thesis is proven, the whimsy in the opening a minor aberration and one of the more delightful feel-‐ good documentaries made in recent years won me over completely. Oh, and the best news: I look forward to a long, healthy and happy life. The Film Corner Rating: ***½ Three-‐and-‐a-‐half Stars A Different Drummer is making its Toronto Premiere at the 2015 edition of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Visit the Hot Docs website for dates, showtimes and tickets by clicking HERE.
HOT DOCS 2015 AWARDS ANNOUNCED By: Courtney Small | May 3, 2015
http://cinemaaxis.com/2015/05/03/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐awards-‐announced/ Toronto-‐based Anne Pick, producer of A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS, was presented with the Don Haig Award, which is given to an outstanding independent Canadian producer with a film in the festival in recognition of his/her creative vision, entrepreneurship and track record for nurturing emerging talent. The award came with a $5,000 cash prize courtesy of the Don Haig Foundation.
Hot Docs 2015: What documentaries should you see at this year's fest? April 17, 2015
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐what-‐documentaries-‐should-‐you-‐see-‐at-‐this-‐ years-‐fest/article23733711/ Hot Docs 2015 is now under way! But with 210 documentaries from 44 countries to choose from, which ones will you see? Below, you can find the Globe's guide to what to see at the fest, which runs through May 3. You can sort reviews by title, rating, reader rating or date added. Check back here throughout the festival for updates and The Globe's take on the buzziest documentaries. A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics • John Zaritsky • Toronto Premiere • Country:Canada • Length:86 minutes This is a delightful enough exploration of people who all live by one rule: That there should be no rules by which to live. We see a well-‐spoken American cave-‐dweller who has abandoned money; we meet a card-‐ carrying and top-‐hat wearing member of the Monster Raving Loony Party; we come across a duck-‐loving woman from Vancouver who is daffy in a soulful way; we are entertained by a British inventor of things not necessarily necessary; and we are shown the way by a friar-‐robe-‐wearing tour guide and Martin Van Buren enthusiast in San Francisco. Though by their nature they are unique, these characters share a resistance to judgment, a mischievous sense of humour and a charismatic joie de vivre. While A Different Drummer would hold my interest more securely if it were chopped into TV episodes, the Canadian documentarian John Zaritsky has chosen the feature-‐length route. To each his own, right? – Brad Wheeler
Hot Docs Announces 17 Special Presentation Screenings By: Shipra Harbola Gupta | February 26, 2015
http://www.indiewire.com/article/hot-‐docs-‐announces-‐17-‐special-‐presentation-‐screenings-‐20150226 The Canadian documentary film festival Hot Docs has released the names of 17 films that will be screening as part of the festival's Special Presentation section. Hot Docs will announce its complete lineup of films on March 17. The festival is slated to take place April 23-‐May 3. Check out the list below to learn more about 17 films that will be screening as Special Presentations. A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS D: John Zaritsky | Canada | 2014 | 86 min | Toronto Premiere Oscar-‐winning director John Zaritsky celebrates eccentrics in this light-‐hearted but affectionate look at non-‐conformists—from a Utah cave dweller who hasn’t used money in 12 years to a beloved Vancouver psychic often seen with her pet duck in a buggy.
Hot Docs 2015: What films you should see at this year's festival By: Jim Slotek | April 18, 2015
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/04/18/hot-‐docs-‐2015-‐what-‐films-‐you-‐should-‐see-‐at-‐this-‐years-‐festival We look at 13 films ahead of Canada's premiere documentary film festival Okay, so the red carpet scene isn’t as much of a “thing.” But Toronto’s annual Hot Docs Film Festival carries arguably as much impact in the documentary world as TIFF does on the wider cinema scene. Hot Docs is a leading-‐edge intro into the non-‐fiction films people will be talking about through 2015, and is a pretty good predictor of the docs that will be getting Oscar attention. Examples: this year’s nom Virunga and recent-‐vintage Oscar winners like The Cove and Man on Wire. Some 210 documentaries from 44 countries are programmed at 12 different venues, starting with the April 23 opening night premiere of TIG, a profile of the Grammy-‐winning comedian Tig Notaro, whose battle with cancer informed the most inspired comedy of her career. A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS: Basically a celebration of eccentrics by a self-‐described eccentric (Oscar-‐winner John Zaritsky), the film paints with a pretty broad brush – profiling people who choose to live in the wild (definitely eccentric), a Vancouver “duck lady” (mildly eccentric), the president of a Martin Van Buren fan club (ditto) and members of Britain’s Monster Raving Loony Party (contrived eccentricism). A colourful lot, even if the terms are left undefined.
HOT DOCS 2015: THE WINNERS By: Norman Wilner | May 2, 2015 https://nowtoronto.com/movies/hot-‐docs-‐2015/hot-‐docs-‐the-‐winners/
Anne Pick, producer of John Zaritsky’s A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics, was given this year’s Don Haig award, presented annually to a Canadian producer, while Yosef Baraki was presented with the Lindalee Tracey Award – honouring “an emerging Canadian filmmaker with a passionate point of view” – for his film Mina Walking, which debuted at the Berlin Film Festival in February.
Hot Docs Announces 2015 Line-‐up: Here's What's Playing on the Canadian Front By: Pat Mullen | March 17, 2015
http://www.cinemablographer.com/2015/03/hot-‐docs-‐announces-‐2015-‐line-‐up-‐heres.html The docs are in! The docs are in! Hot Docs has announced the full line-‐up for the 2015 edition of the festival and it includes a whopping 210 films from 45 countries. The festival opens with the International Premiere of Tig by Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York (way to support female filmmakers, Hot Docs!), which chronicles comedian Tig Notaro, who made headlines in 2012 after she opened an act with the line, “Good evening, I have cancer” which went viral just as her life was heading into a tailspin. Other notable Hot Docs highlights include a conversation with filmmaker Frederick Wiseman (National Gallery) and the addition of a new “Screen on Screen” programme that offers docs about the filmmaking process. (How much does everyone want to see Chuck Norris Vs. Communism?)This series sounds like a great film buff’s side dish to the “Next” programme (my favourite at the fest) that highlights arts and entertainment and includes the latest film from 20 Feet from Stardom director Morgan Neville. Hot Docs 2015 also includes a strong Canadian front with films like OIAF winner Seth’sDominion and Sunday’s Jutra winner Finding Macpherson repping the local scene along with new docs from William D. MacGillivray and John Zaritsky. (Keep an eye on the upcoming Hot Docs issue of POV for coverage on Seth’s Dominion, Finding Macpherson and A Different Drummer!) -‐ See more at: http://www.cinemablographer.com/2015/03/hot-‐ docs-‐announces-‐2015-‐line-‐up-‐heres.html#sthash.D4Xn3Jb8.dpuf
Hot Docs Announces Recipient of Don Haig Award April 24, 2015
http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/hot-‐docs-‐announces-‐recipient-‐of-‐don-‐haig-‐ award/1003591486/?&er=NA Hot Docs is pleased to announce that Toronto-‐based producer Anne Pick has been named this year’s recipient of the Don Haig Award. The Award, now in its tenth year, is presented by the Hot Docs Board of Directors to an outstanding Canadian independent producer with a feature-‐length film in competition at the Festival, and is selected by a jury of independent producers. The Award recognizes creative vision and entrepreneurship, as reflected in the recipient’s body of work and Festival film, as well as a track record of mentoring emerging Canadian filmmakers. Pick is the producer of A Different Drummer, Celectring Eccentrics (D: John Zaritsky), which had its Toronto premiere at Hot Docs on Sunday, April 26. She will be presented with a $5,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Don Haig Foundation, at the Hot Docs Awards on Friday, May 1. “This is truly an honour,” says Pick. “Don was one of the first people I went to for advice when I decided to set out on my own to make docs. He told me to fight to tell the stories I wanted to tell, make a difference and get joy and inspiration from the people I’d meet along the way. I've tried to do that. He also threw in a dose of reality: that it wouldn’t be easy, I probably wouldn’t get rich but that I’d have a good life! All pearls of wisdom that I continue to share with young filmmakers today.” Anne Pick is an award-‐winning independent producer, director and story editor. Under her company banner Real to Reel Productions, she has a reputation for engaging and popular, character driven productions in a variety of genres including Gambing of Extinction: Animism: People Who Love Objects: Iris Chang: The Rape of Nanking, and series such as Foodstuff and Fire Station; Out in the Cold; and Canadians. Anne’s passion for storytelling has resulted in many awards including a Canadian Gemini, an Australian AFI, a Chinese Golden Panda, Columbus Chris Awards and her programs have been screened at Festivals and distributed widely around the world. A brilliant innovator, she was one of the first to switch from film to tape with ground breaking doc series Canadians, launched one of Canada’s first Cable Networks (Life) with high rating, award-‐winning series Harrowsmith Country Life, and was producing ‘green’ programming before the phrase was coined. Anne also produced the first official documentary treaty co-‐production between Canada and Australia, Helen’s War: Portrait of a Dissident, which won her many awards. Past winners of the Don Haig Award include filmmakers Michael McNamara (2014), Merit Jensen Carr (2013), Mia Donovan (2012), Rama Rau (2011), Philip Lyall and Nimisha Mukerji (2010), Brett Gaylor (2009), Yung Chang (2008), Hubert Davis (2007), and Guylaine Dionne (2006).
Anne Pick Given Don Haig Award By: Staff | April 28, 2015
http://www.northernstars.ca/News/01504281024_donhaig.html
mentoring emerging Canadian filmmakers.
Hot Docs has announced that Toronto-‐based producer Anne Pick has been named this year’s recipient of the Don Haig Award. Now in its tenth year, the award is presented by the Hot Docs Board of Directors to an outstanding Canadian independent producer with a feature-‐ length film in competition at the Festival, and is selected by a jury of independent producers. The Award recognizes creative vision and entrepreneurship, as reflected in the recipient’s body of work and Festival film, as well as a track record of
“This is truly an honour,” said Pick. “Don was one of the first people I went to for advice when I decided to set out on my own to make docs. He told me to fight to tell the stories I wanted to tell, make a difference and get joy and inspiration from the people I’d meet along the way. I've tried to do that. He also threw in a dose of reality: that it wouldn’t be easy, I probably wouldn’t get rich but that I’d have a good life! All pearls of wisdom that I continue to share with young filmmakers today.”
Anne Pick is an award-‐winning independent producer, director and story editor. Under her company banner Real to Reel Productions, she has a reputation for engaging and popular, character driven productions in a variety of genres including Gambling Of Extinction; Animism: People Who Love Objects; Iris Chang: The Rape Of Nanking, and series such as Foodstuff And Fire Station; Out In The Cold; and Canadians. Her passion for storytelling has resulted in many awards including a Canadian Gemini, an Australian AFI, a Chinese Golden Panda, Columbus Chris Awards and her programs have been screened at Festivals and distributed widely around the world. A brilliant innovator, she was one of the first to switch from film to tape with ground breaking doc series Canadians, launched one of Canada’s first Cable Networks (Life) with high rating, award-‐winning series Harrowsmith Country Life, and was producing ‘green’ programming before the phrase was coined. She also produced the first official documentary treaty co-‐production between Canada and Australia,Helen’s War: Portrait Of A Dissident, which won many awards. Pick is the producer of A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics, directed by John Zaritsky. The film had its Toronto premiere at Hot Docs on Sunday, April 26. Anne Pick will be presented with a $5,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Don Haig Foundation, at the Hot Docs Awards this Friday, May 1. Past winners of the Don Haig Award include filmmakers Michael McNamara (2014), Merit Jensen Carr (2013), Mia Donovan (2012), Rama Rau (2011), Philip Lyall and Nimisha Mukerji (2010), Brett Gaylor (2009), Yung Chang (2008),Hubert Davis (2007), and Guylaine Dionne (2006).
Hot Docs 2015
By: Gilbert Seah | April 21, 2015
http://toronto-‐franco.com/article/21-‐cinema-‐movies/110-‐hot-‐docs-‐2015
HOT DOCS 2015 The Canadian International Documentary Festival aka Hot Docs runs from Apr 23 to May the 3rd. It boats as many films as TIFF from all over the world. For the screening schedule, best to cheek out the hot docs site itself at: www.hotdocs.ca A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: CELEBRATING ECCENTRICS (Canada 2014) **** Directed by John Zaritsky
This immensely enjoyable documentary by Oscar winning director Zaritsky takes the audience from Vancouver to Utah to Britain to celebrate an assortment of eccentrics. In Utah is a cave dweller who has not used money in 14 years. He eats roots around the canyon and food he finds in dumpsters, claiming that he has seldom gotten ill. The other most interesting eccentric is the British inventor who has invented everything from a fire engine three wheeler to a bra warmer to a tunnel with a light at the end of it Then there is the duck lady and the Brit that runs for major for the most ridiculous of reasons. If one eccentric is not that interesting, the audience knows that there will be a more interesting one around the corner. Zaritsky brings his film to an end with all the eccentrics brought together. A simply made documentary that is immensely entertaining. (Special Presentations) Screenings: Sun Apr 26, Tue Apr 28
Hot Docs ’15: Anne Pick wins Don Haig Award By: Etan Vlessing | April 28, 2015
http://realscreen.com/2015/04/28/anne-‐pick-‐wins-‐don-‐haig-‐award-‐at-‐hot-‐docs/
Veteran film producer Anne Pick (pictured) is to receive this year’s CAD$5,000 (US$4,100) Don Haig Award. The prize is presented annually to a Canadian indie producer with a feature documentary competing at Hot Docs. Pick, VP and managing director of Toronto-‐based Real to Reel Productions, is the producer of John Zaritsky‘s A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics, which has its Toronto premiere on Sunday (May 3) at Hot Docs. She will be honored by the Don Haig Foundation at the Hot Docs Awards this Friday (May 1). Pick has among her film credits Gambling on Extinction, Animism: People Who Love Objects, and Irish Change: The Rape of Nanking. Past winners of the Don Haig Award include Michael McNamara in 2014, Merit Jensen Carr Carr, Mia Donovan, Rama Rau and Guylaine Dionne.
All pictures taken by GAT during the festival are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97627695@N03/sets/721576526913 99452
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