FutuRéale Magazine October 2010

October a r t s . c2010 u l t vol. u r e2. issue l i v i n20 g

www.futuréale.com

arts . culture . living

Clé Bennett: A Portrait of a Rising Star John Carpenter: An Indie Auteur Horror from around the World Rebecca Marshall From City to City Green Goddess Tristan’s Picks Love Rhythms Culture of Fear REEL WORLD TIFF PARTY Cheap Halloween Costumes

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Note From the Editor

FUTURÉALE

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 20

Editor in Chief Shawn Shapiro

Associate Editors Russ Martin Karen Lam Melissa Doyle

Hello All FutuRéale Readers,

Junior Editors Dany Pen

I am pleased to present to you the October edition. It has taken a ton of hard work from our team to make it and we hope you enjoy it.

As per usual we have some new columns for you to enjoy as well as some old favorites.

As we push along into the fall we get closer to a special milestone, our 3rd anniversary as a magazine. Keep reading and enjoying since there will be many surprise along the way.

Shawn Shapiro

Editor in Chief

Enjoy the read and keep passing it along!

Shawn Shapiro Editor in Chief

Senior Editorial Designer Ravish Rawat

Junior Editorial Designers Jenn Reid Mojdeh Ahrabi

Interns

Anastasia Rokina Kevin Hamilton Olga Shugurova Kirsten Parucha Lindsay Romeo Olivia Dorazio Terra Ciolfe Jess Silver Dan Ball

Contributing Writers Anastasia Rokina Kirsten Parucha Abby Plener Kelly Kocsis Craig Wilkins Shawn Shapiro Lindsay Romeo Vicky Tobianah Tristan Coolman Christina Dun

Webmaster

ONAMAP Marketing Web Team

Online Content Editor Shawn Shapiro

FutuRéale Magazine is published by The Organic Press www.organicpress.ca FutuRéale Magazine is a proud member of the ONAMAP Network www.onamap.ca © 2010 ONAMAP Enterprises

E xecutive D irector Omar Murji

Contact FutuRéale at: info@futureale.com www.futureale.com ISSN 1916-3215

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

04 Clé Bennett: A Portrait of a Rising Star Anastasia Rokina

06 Rebecca Marshall: A look at a fine actress Kirsten Parucha

07 John Carpenter: A look at an indie icon Craig Wilkins

10 Horror from around the World: Scares from around the world Kelly Kocsis

12 From City to City: A look at Montreal Abby Plener

14 Green Goddess: A new column on green living Abby Plener

15 Creepy Creatures and Jack-o-lantern Features of the World: Creepiness from around the world Lindsay Romeo

16 Tristan’s Picks: A look at 50 years of horror Tristan Coolman

19 REEL WORLD TIFF PARTY: Brief interviews with some of the lucky directors Shawn Shapiro

20 Love Rhythms: Our monthly look at love Anastasia Rokina

21 Cheap Halloween Costumes: Costumes for cheap Christina Dun

23 A Culture of Fear: G20 protests in Toronto during summer Vicky Tobianah

Photograph of Clé Bennett by Anastasia Rokina

arts.culture.living

Clé Bennett FROM THE OUTSKIRTS OF eyes to the differences between acting on stage TORONTO to the famous cities of Italy, and acting for the camera. “I love portraying

actor Clé Bennett has a resume that is rapidly lengthening with increasingly intriguing roles.

Currently nominated for two Gemini Awards for his roles in Guns and The Line, Bennett is soon to be an international household name. Battling on racial fronts in an already competitive business, he is on his way to unfathomable success.

Native to Canada’s Toronto, Clé Bennett has made a childhood imagination blossom into a successful career. “Acting isn’t what I do,” he explains, “it’s who I am. I am an actor.”

From playground P.I and commander of a leftover fridge box doubling as a spaceship, to anxiety disorders and being a ruler of the underworld, Bennett has made a life out of fantasy. Without any professional training, or any training at all for that matter, Clé has gone from school plays to Hollywood films.

His theater experience, however, opened his

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the realistic subtleties that the camera is able to capture” he says. “Sometimes on stage you have to embellish a little bit in or-der for the entire audience to feel you. On screen you can turn a scene with the mere twitch of an eyelid and I appreciate the realism in that.”

His roles, however, did not come easy.

“You have to put in the work necessary to develop confidence. The kind that will allow you to shrug off the rejection you’re gonna face because you’re obviously not going to get every part that you want.” Having to face racial biases,

“Acting isn’t what I do, it’s who I am. I am an actor.”

Clé has proven more than enough times that it’s not always the character who defines the actor, but the actor who defines the character.

“Turns out many of the larger parts I’ve played were not written for a black actor. There is still a segment of the industry that tends to feel that certain parts match certain races.

When writers, directors and producers have a specific look in mind all through development it becomes a challenge to make them see the role differently, especially in a profession where discrimination based on appearance is the norm. I’ve accepted that sometimes I need to work harder to convince folks that I’m the right fit for the roles that I want.”

When it comes to successful results, Clé believes that trusting the people you work with is vital. “I think one of the overlooked factors that contribute to the actor-director relationship is trust,” he explains. “The first day I worked with Gail Harvey on The Line, she approached me before we started shooting

and asked: ‘Do you trust me?’ No director had ever asked me that before, and I was moved , because she had the wherewithal to understand that acting on camera is indeed a vulnerable position. Having the security of knowing that she knew where I wanted to go with the character, and that she “had my back”, made all the difference in the world.”

In addition to on-set chemistry, Clé sights his approach to character as a contributor to his consistent work flow. Clé has the unique ability to entirely dissipate himself when playing a role, separating himself entirely from his character. “What I’ve dis-covered, is that ironically, acting is not so much about acting as it is about being. Gail can often be heard on set yelling : ‘Don’t act, just BE!’, and she’s so right about that! You can either be yourself, and merely ‘act’ like the character, or you can take on the bigger challenge of abandoning yourself for a moment, and becoming the character!”

So far one of the most challenging roles Clé FUTURÉALE

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arts.culture.living has had to play was that of Carlos Powell on The next week I’ll be playing a cop and the the HBO series The Line. Upon his release week after an underworld god and so on... from serving time in prison, Carlos hopes to that’s cool.” reestablish himself on the street as well as Clé has a strong preference for increasingly regain lost ties with his family. Hesitant, both complex characters. “I love subtext; multiple his wife and daughter threaten to sever any dimensions. I don’t wanna play the guy who relationship should he continue this “lifestyle”. says ‘I hate you’ to a woman he despises. I’d But caught between obligations to two criminal rather play the guy who tells her he loves her enemies, the lives of his family as well as his because he has an agenda.” Curiously sinking own, are endangered when he contemplates deeper into his intrigue for the intricate, it change. He is forced by the police to maintain would seem there is no role too difficult for these criminal relationships in order to bring him to play. “The more complicated the better.” down the kingpins, and the resulting pressure Out of his many characters, however, ignites a severe anxiety disorder. “One minute, taking on the role of detective has proven he’ll be raging and the next minute he’ll be to be nostalgic. “When I was a kid, I loved crying because he ran out of rice-cakes.” playing detective more than anything else.”

So how does he do it? “You have to have Clé describes the feeling when landing the a lot of compassion and empathy for your role of Hall in Shattered as similar to that of characters in order to understand where déjà vu. “When I put my badge on for the first they’re coming from” Clé explains about time, I got misty eyed man! I was back at the received Oscar buzz. Filmed on location in getting into character. But we can’t Montréal and Rome, the film folhelp but wonder, what about the “I think one of the overlooked fators lows the life of Barney Panofsky murderers and the criminals? “I (Paul Giamatti) and his three failed don’t judge my characters, I’m cool that contribute to the actor-diretor marriages; all of which end badly, with playing a guy who commits the relationship is trust.” but each for com-pletely different worst acts imaginable, as long as i’m reasons. Cedric Richardson (Clé able to show that in his mind he felt he had a playground, only this time I had a real fake Bennett) is a Casanova who roams with good reason for doing so. My most rewarding gun! I had come full circle.”

Barney Panofsky’s gang of Bohe-mian Artists. roles are those where I can have the audience Aside from an astounding, record breaking “Cedric is a ladies man but also considers like ‘I really hate that he did that....but I get why premiere of “Lost Girl”, Clé’s latest flick, himself to be a highly accomplished artiste. he did’.” Bennett explains. “Its a tough balance. Barney’s Version, premiered at the To-ronto He’s well educated and wants people to know While I’d like the audience to sympathize, I Film Festival last month and has already he’s more than just a ‘token negro’”. Among also don’t want kids to misinterpret and think the cast, names like Dustin Hoffman, Rachel I’m demonstrating that its okay to kill people if Lefevre and Minnie Driver all co-star in this you got a ‘good enough reason’.” novel-based comedy. As for any up-andIn order to redirect this train of thought, coming projects, Clé was discrete on details, Clé dedicates some of his time to talking to but didn’t hesitate to mention that as long as the youth. “I feel its important to let them he continues to be challenged with complex know that I don’t condone all the acts that I characters, he will keep waking each morning portray, no matter how ‘cool’ they may look. with a smile. “I’m just pursuing my passion. Its When you go down that road, there are two like that saying ‘If you love what you do, you’ll destinations: jail or the grave” he explains. never have to work another day in your life.”

“Sure, sometimes it’s my job to make that kind --rr of life look ‘cool’, but at the end of the day I get to go home with no limits on my destination.

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Rebecca Marshal l

By Kirsten Parucha

REBECCA MARSHALL has not forgotten where she came from: Toronto.

“It’s such an amazing city and I love that I’m from Toronto,” says the actress.

And because of her love for the city, she was thrilled to return home and film her debut role in a major movie production.

Expected to be released in October, Marshall will be one of many who’ll be tormented by Jigsaw in Saw 3D. “They’re saying it’s the final of the series,” says Marshall. “It’s the biggest budgeted and it’s been getting amazing feedback. I’m so grateful to be a part of it because it’s the number one franchise for horror movies.”

However, those were all the details she was allowed to spill.

“I’ve been signed to secrecy,” laughs Marshall. “The Saw films are very protective because the fan base is so huge; they’re always trying to figure out the plots and the twists and the storylines, and because I’m a new character I can’t really talk about her.”

Marshall, who got the gig by merely sending in her audition tape, spent almost two months in Toronto filming, which she used as a personal advantage.

“It was so great and such an incredible experience,” says Marshall. “A lot of the crew and cast were Toronto-based, so it was a really great experience to come home and work and spend time with my family.”

Currently, Marshall’s family still lives in Toronto.

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John Carpenter: An Indie Auteur “IN FRANCE, I’M AN AUTEUR; IN GERMANY, A FILMMAKER; IN BRITAIN, A GENRE FILM DIRECTOR; AND, IN THE USA, A BUM!” I’ve been a fan of John Carpenter for thirty years, even since a really bad babysitter let me stay up to watch his classic “Halloween” on CBC one night, and I’ve always loved this quote. It’s a little angry, like Snake Plissken in “Escape from New York”, a little smart-ass like Nancy Keyes in “The Fog”, but mostly it oozes self-confidence and bravado.

That self-confidence and bravado is all John Carpenter. Not content to simply direct, he writes or co-writes most of his films, has provided the scores on all but three, edits, and demands total control of any project he puts his name to. He’s a true maverick filmmaker who approaches every project as if it is his first no budget indie film.

This year, after a decade long hiatus from feature film making, Carpenter brought his latest film, “John Carpenter’s The Ward” to the Toronto International Film Festival. At 62, with 40 years spent making genre defining films, and his 20th film having just premiered in town, what better time to take a look back at the man who turned Halloween from a night of tricks and treats into a night of Michael Myers, screams and terror!

When he was just 22 and still a film student at the University of Southern California, he

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co-wrote, scored, and edited a short film called The Resurrection of Broncho Billy. Carpenter achieved immediate success as the film won the Oscar for best Live Action Short in 1970.

The Oscar undoubtedly helped propel his career forward, but for film fans in general, and Carpenter devotees in particular, this short student film is especially significant. The film was co-written by Nick Castle. Castle was a friend whom Carpenter could count on in those early years to act in bit parts on his early

films and work behind the scenes wherever he was needed. He’s famous among horror fans as The Shape, Michael Myers in his mask as the killer in the original “Halloween”. Eventually he would co-write Escape from New York with Carpenter and go on to direct such films as The Last Starfighter and “Dennis the Menace”.

Four years after his Oscar, Carpenter completed work on his first feature, 1974’s “Dark Star”. Shot for sixty thousand dollars, and only completed after an independent

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arts.culture.living the young Carpenter. Success would lead to bigger projects and studio money. Failure at this point could mean the end of his career.

The movie opened in America to mixed reviews and was largely ignored by the paying public. His first financed movie was a bomb.

And then Europe called. The London Film Festival to be exact. The critics in Europe loved “Assault on Precinct 13” and the movie became both a critical and commercial success.

“In France, I’m an auteur; in Germany, a filmmaker; in Britain, a genre film director; and, in the USA, a bum!”

producer paid to have 38 minutes added to what was then a 45-minute film, Carpenter produced, directed, scored and edited the film. This time his co-writer was a young Dan O’Bannon who also starred, worked on special effects, and later went on to rework the “Dark Star” idea into “Alien”. A strange of f beat science fiction movie about bored astronauts on a 20-year mission clearing away unstable planets, it has many of the “Carpenter” themes.

Average people are just trying to get through life, isolation, and “the other” who threatens to destroy them, this time ‘the other’ being a smart bomb with a God complex.

“Dark Star” was a hit with critics and earned a Hugo nomination for Best Dramatic Presentation. This success earned Carpenter a modest one hundred thousand dollar budget for his next feature, “Assault on Precinct 13”.

This must have seemed like an audition for

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Back in the U.S. there was a re-evaluation of the movie by the critics. But Carpenter never forgot, and he certainly never forgave.

In 1978, everything changed. “Halloween”, would make John Carpenter a household name. This low budget movie, made for just $300 000, went on to make 47 million at the box office, making it one of the most profitable Independent films of all time. A movie with a

budget so small that its star, Jaime Lee Curtis, bought all her character’s clothing for $100 at J.C. Penny, it is widely credited for giving birth to the slashed film. Carpenter would be quick to tell you he was simply following in Alfred Hitchcock’s footsteps, the ultimate homage to the true creator of the slashed film casting the daughter of “Psycho’s” Janet Leigh as his lead.

This respect for those who have gone before, the knowledge that he is holding a place in celluloid history, a line that draws back to the monster movies of the thirties and forties, Howard Hawks in the fifties, Hitchcock in the sixties, through him to those who will come after, film makers like Robert Rodriguez (“El Mariachi”) and Neil Marshall (“Dog Soldiers”, “The Descent”, “Doomsday”), this has always been a driving force for Carpenter as can be seen in his movies. Casting Janet Leigh’s daughter in “Halloween”, then having her watch the Howard Hawks classic “The Thing from Another World” as she babysat young Tommy Doyle, much like a young John Carpenter may have first watched his favourite film twenty years earlier with his own babysitter on Halloween night.

Much like a young Craig Wilkins would watch John Carpenter’s “Halloween” with his own babysitter.

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a cu u ll tt u u rr e e .. ll ii v v ii n ng g a rr tt ss .. c After the success of “Halloween” and then “Elvis”, a Golden Globe and Emmy nominated made for TV movie starring Kurt Russell, Carpenter would add to his place in celluloid

movie had very little of what could be called the Carpenter touch. It was a terrible misstep and a box office flop.

In my opinion, the best thing that could have happened to Carpenter that such a largescale failure forced him back to his roots, hustling to put together financing and filming movies on a more modest scale.

Over the next fifteen years he would film

nine more movies. And though he never reached the level of success he had during his golden age, this era of Carpenter’s career brought us some great films. “Prince of Darkness”, “They Live”, “In the Mouth of Madness”, “Vampire$”, and “Ghosts of Mars” are all amazing science fiction/horror films.

Now, closer to the end of his career than the beginning he brings us “The Ward”. Like his first feature film, “Dark Star”, it’s about a group of everyday people just trying to get through their everyday lives while something threatens their very existence. Not men, not astronauts, but women in a psych ward. Just as obviously flawed, imperfect people who must stand against “the other”, the unknown

history by filming a string of what are now considered classic science fiction/horror films.

“The Fog” in 1980, “Escape from New York” in 1981, “The Thing” in 1982, “Christine” in

1983, and “Starman” which earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar nomination in 1984.

These classic films brought Carpenter into the studio system signed on to direct the big budget studio produced action/fantasy “Big Trouble in Little China”. Kurt Russell was once again the star, and while he very much played a typical John Carpenter everyman, the FUTURÉALE

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entity they must fight, not for power or glory, but simply to survive.

Call him an auteur, if you must, certainly a filmmaker, a genre director, just don’t call him a bum. At 62 he may have lost some of his Snake Plissken anger, the smart ass in him may have grown up, but like the characters he dreams up and puts on film, don’t challenge his self confidence or bravado. After forty years in the trenches, that’s one battle you just can’t win.

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Horror from around the World THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF MY PICKS FOR LESSER KNOWN AND FOREIGN FILMS. Presented in

By Kelly Kocsis

no particular order, these films should make your Halloween night all the more frightful. So read on, and feel free to add your own.

3. Ginger Snaps (2000): Speaking of North American, Ginger Snaps is a werewolf film from Canada. This film is actually rather good, it’s a unique twist on the werewolf

1. Nosferatu (1922): Max Scheck plays one ugly Count Dracula. The first-ever screen adaption of Bram Stokers Dracula,

very first vampire film, though the Count is rather ugly. In fact he is downright fugly with claws and rotten teeth and a large nose. The film is about an hour long and its quality is not the best. However it has some high points and those curious to watch the silent film version of Dracula should be satisfied.

Nosferatu is certainly no prince. In fact he’s ugly to the point of fugly. Bram Stokers widow sued for copyright infringement and so the film had to be edited, everyone from the Count to Mina had a name change, amongst other things that were edited. The production company went under and so this film was a one hit wonder. Now it is public domain and most of it is as it originally was. This film was the

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myth and it’s nice to see a Canadian film do well, especially as it is a horror film.

The film has a strong cast and interesting storyline. It can be viewed as a feminist horror film, covering the strange set of

2. Dead Snow (2009): A film involving Zombie Nazis that takes place in rural Norway. This Norwegian film has the basic setup, a bunch of young adults get together over spring break to ski in a remote mountain. Only to be terrorized and then eaten by zombies. The film has an interesting premise, evil Nazis rise again after someone does something incredibly idiotic, thus raising the very hard to kill reanimated corpses. This wasn’t a great film.

In fact this is rare cases were I would say watch the dubbed version and enjoy it for the laughs all the way, rather than trying to read the tiny subtitles. A bloody, gory film that is more laughable than scary.

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changes that mark the passage to young womanhood, though in this case instead of hormones being the cause of the changes in the girl, it is the werewolf that creates them. I found this film to be rather under-rated; it’s a pretty decent film and well worth the watch. Especially recommended for females and those interested in a unique story.

4. Let the Right One In (2008): This Swedish horror film has many great qualities. Quite possibly my favourite vampire film to come out in the last several years. Take creepy kids, and add a bit of romance to your vampire mythology, stir and garnish with incredible scenery and a fantastic story.

Hollywood has apparently already re-made this film and while I can’t judge it without seeing it first, I would encourage you to see this one before watching the re-make.

5. Cello (2005): The last film on this list comes from South Korea, a chilling mind bending film that’s just the right amount of freaky. A must –see film. It’s about a cello teacher who seems to be having a very bad week. She is threatened by a former student who is upset with her lack of academic success, her job is in a precarious position, and she gets into a car accident. And to top it all she and her family are threatened by an angry ghost hell bent on revenge. It’s a unique ghost story with a few twists.

Hopefully you will enjoy one of these films, if not all, as they are all unique and in my personal opinion would be a good fit for anyone looking for a more unique Halloween movie. So enjoy

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and happy nightmares.

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From City to City:

By: Abby Plener

A Torontonian’s Take on Montreal AS A TORONTONIAN LIVING IN MONTREAL, I’m usually confronted with

feigned interest or blatant disappointment when I tell people where I’m from. Though the rivalry between two cities, (and even more so between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadians), has provided me with ample material over the years for forced small talk and late-night banter, the truth is that I’ve developed a sincere appreciation for both the cities during my time living in Montreal.

Though I am proud of my diplomatic status, there are still so many things I love about living in Montreal for which there is no Torontonian equivalent.

Mount Royal Why wait in line and pay to reach the top of Toronto’s CN Tower when the highest point in Montreal is just a romantic stroll away?

Granted, it doesn’t boast the title of the Western hemisphere’s tallest freestanding structure, but there is something delightfully

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corny about escaping to a mountain located in the middle of a city. While the lookout offers a panoramic view of Montreal’s downtown core, the mountain itself is the perfect place for a solitary jog, bike ride, or a family picnic.

The short walk up the mountain can be reached from various parts of the city and is totally free, but once you’ve reached the top you’re welcome to spend your money on various restaurants, souvenirs, walking tours, or nature walks.

last couple years, the number of restaurants that offer the service is still limited and many of them charge a cork fee (which some Montreal BYOW restaurants do as well, but fortunately it’s easy to find many that don’t). Personally, as someone who lives right in the heart of downtown, there’s nothing more convenient then walking around the corner to the liquor store on the way to dinner, enjoying my wine there, and then heading out to enjoy the local nightlife in one effortless swoop.

Bring Your Own Wine Restaurants

Biking

Instead of rushing to the LCBO before it closes, Montreal liquor stores boasts longer hours and cheaper wine, which perfectly compliment the city’s many restaurants where you can bring your own wine. Such restaurants range from high-end French Bistros like Restaurant Le Bleu Raisin, to budget-friendly options like Thai restaurant Bouddha Bouddha located amidst Saint-Laurent’s most popular nightlife.

Though BYOW have come to Toronto in the

Montreal is revered as one of the top cities in North America for cycling. Its extensive network of bike lanes throughout city is unparalleled in most places, including Toronto, and is definitely a welcomed change of pace from Toronto traffic and the crowded (and increasingly expensive) TTC. Though it’s easy enough to find a cheap bike on Montreal’s craigslist, the city also offers the Bixi bike rental service from May to November. With FUTURÉALE

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arts.culture.living over 400 stations across the city open 24/7, the Bixi service is a serious testament to how much Montrealers love to bike, along with many cycling tours offered by companies like Cycle Tours Montreal and Montreal On Wheels. Even as the city’s temperatures reach extreme lows, the cycling traffic remains pretty steady. For me, nothing embodies the spirit of Montreal quite so expressively as those bundled-up bikers who brave the bitter cold.

Late Night Bites Though Saint-Laurent is known for its nightlife, Montreal residents are equally drawn to it for its cheap late night food. There’s something so satisfying about the fact that after parading down Saint-Laurent in their Saturday-night best, most of Montreal’s most fashionable

end their nights with a greasy plate of poutine from one of the many fast food places situated between the city’s hottest club. But for those of us too hip for the overdone club scene that has a more refined palate, the city boasts plenty of quality late night dining as well. The last time I paid a late-night visit to La Banquise, a 24-hour restaurant with over thirty different varieties of gourmet poutine, I was seated between a family of five with young children and students eager to explore the nightlife of the trendy Plateau area. L’express, Schwartz’s, and La Paryse are also quality late-night options.

Old Port and Old Montreal While the Toronto Island is only accessible by ferry, Montreal’s Old Port provides a beautiful boardwalk without the hassle of extra

transportation. During the warmer months the Port scene is filled with remote-controlled sailboat competitions, cyclists, music festivals, and of course the Montreal Science Centre and fantastic restaurants, which are, opened all-year round. The picturesque port is the perfect complement to the Old Montreal area in which it’s located. The historic area is a tourist attraction both for its museums and sightseeing, as well as its architecture and romantic charm.

Between the quality dining, the vibrant nightlife, the massive music scene, the attractive landscape and its colorful residents, it’s hard not to love Montreal. Though I am a proud Torontonian, I will always have a deep seeded affection for Montreal and all the many, many delights it has to offer.

Photos: Streets of Old Montreal by Geoff Livingston and Montreal Skyline

by Montroyaler.

-jr FUTURÉALE

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arts.culture.living

By

Abby

Plener

Rule #1: Don’t Just Do Good, Go Green I HAVE A PROBLEM. I have a chronic case of I-really-want-to-be-a-dogooder. I have a wealth of good intentions with a poor track record of whole-heartedly committing to the principles I think I should believe in. I chat with homeless people even when I do not plan on giving them money, I subscribe to the Amnesty International list serve when I only ready it half the time, and vegan brownies always pique my interest even though I would never consider giving up dairy myself. Yet somehow, supporting businesses that do make such a commitment makes me feel warm inside. (Also, there’s a delusional teenage girl in my head who tells me that if it’s vegan then the calories don’t count).

Two years ago, when my somewhatsuperficial do-gooder instincts were especially on a high level, I decided to consider the possibility of maybe being a vegetarian.

Until that point, I had never felt particularly strongly about environmental issues, but after spending a weekend at an eco-friendly retreat in Connecticut, the idea of being a vegetarian sounded oh-so appealing to my over-eager little heart.

So now, in an attempt to break my habit of fostering lukewarm convictions, I have decided to write a column about making eco14

friendly, sustainable choices while living an urban Canadian lifestyle.

It all started after I returned from a summer in Kanchipuram, India where I traveled with fifteen other North American students to volunteer with a local NGO, and learn about the importance of sustainability in international development and humanitarian work. During the following school year, the American organization that sponsored our travels hosted a conference in Connecticut at the environmentally conscious Isabella Freedman Retreat Centre. Throughout the weekend we were served organic, locally grown food while discussing issues of food security and environmental sustainability.

As I delved deeper into conversations with my fellow participants, it seemed that there were so many easy, tangible ways one could support these causes. That weekend, a close friend of mine with whom I traveled to India announced that she had recently become a vegetarian out of concern for the environment. As many of us know, mass meat production around the world is a major cause of both air and water pollution, land degradation, water shortages, and climate change. I was touched by my friend’s gesture and felt empowered by all that I had learned over the past weekend, and decided I wanted to set out on a similar path.

My desire to do good has always been tampered with the need to be realistic I recognize that I should make contributions but that those efforts should not take me

beyond what I myself can do. While my theatre-loving parents instilled me with a sense of duty to my community and generously applauded all my fair-weather good intentions, I grew up in the Toronto suburbs surrounded by kids who had very practical dreams of being doctors, lawyers, or businesses people. So, in an effort not be too much of a bohemian by sensible suburban standards, I decided to gradually transition into vegetarianism. At first, I only gave up red meat, then I began eating vegetarian outside the house, and over the last year I have gone through occasional phases of fully committing to vegetarianism. In order not to impose too much on the roommates I currently live with, I still eat chicken but hope to soon have a completely vegetarian diet.

I often question my decision as to how vested in doing this I was from the get go.

Was I simply motivated by some superficial sense of duty? Is it bad that I feel validated by the fact that I have Alanis Morissette, Yoko Ono, Deepak Chopra and hundreds of other famous vegetarians on my side? Am I just jumping on the let’s-go-green-because-AlGore-said-it’s-important bandwagon? Am I a total cliché – a middle-class girl from Toronto who thinks she can change the world oneveggie burger at a time?

With this column, I hope to penetrate that superficial layer of good intentions and dig deeper into environmental issues. I hope to not only become more informed, but to prove something to my self-conscious suburban self. I want to live a greener lifestyle while still being sensible, exploring realistic commitments I can make in my everyday life. I am looking to showcase people, projects, products and Canadian businesses that are dedicated to such a lifestyle and can help me achieve the same.

I want to go green.

--jr FUTURÉALE

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Creepy Creatures and Jack-o-lantern Features of the World HALLOWEEN IS CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE. Each country has a unique

way of embracing this spooky celebration.

Where did Halloween originate?

In Ireland: Halloween originated in Ireland.

Interestingly enough, in Canada we celebrate Halloween similarly to that of the Irish.

Children get dressed up in various costumes, and they go trick-or-treating. Many years ago the Irish held bon fires for Halloween, and they still carry on that tradition today.

Many Halloween games have originated in Ireland. The popular game called “snapapple” is one of them. ‘The apple is hung by a string from a tree branch’ for example and the player attempts to eat the apple by only using their mouth. Another apple game, which is well known, is “apple-bobbing.” The apples are floating in a bucket of water, and the player has to grab onto the apple using their teeth. There is also an Irish card game for Halloween. Cards are laid down on a table with a prize underneath each one. The prize is usually a small piece of candy, or a coin.

Whatever card the child chooses is the prize they win underneath.

The Irish also have their traditional culinary treat. This popular food is a fruitcake called barnbrack. There is a wrapped treat found in the cake, which shows the eater’s future. If a ring is found for example, it means that the eater will get married soon. Another example is a piece of straw, which represents that the eater will have flourishing success.

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Where did the Jack-o-lantern come from?

Originally, turnips were carved for Halloween.

It was only when the Irish immigrated those pumpkins were to replace them and made into jack-o-lanterns. There was a man named Jack who always played tricks on people. When he passed away he threatened to play a trick on the devil. This caused the devil to send him out of the spirit world he was in, and forced Jack to roam the Earth to find his soul with only a pumpkin to put the light in. This is how the Jack-o-lantern. Jack is also the reason why we now have the popular, “trick or treat.”

On Halloween night, why is the jack-o-lantern is important...

In China: To light a path for the dead and to free souls.

The Chinese use lanterns to light a path for the spirits as they wander the Earth on Halloween night. They also place food and water beside photographs of loved ones who have passed away. Lanterns are also used in Buddhist temples. Lanterns are lit during the ceremony for “pretas.” “Pretas” are the spirits of those who died in an accident, like drowning for example, and these bodies were never burned because of it. For the Chinese, this is dangerous. Lighting the lantern is a way that sets these spirits free.

In Austria: To welcome the spirits.

Before going to sleep on Halloween night, Austrians leave bread, water, and a lit lantern on the table. This is their way of inviting the spirits back onto Earth on Halloween night.

In Belgium: In memory of those who have died.

On Halloween night candles are lit for loved ones that have passed away. The people of Belgium believe it is bad luck for a black cat to be on a ship, or in your house. It is believed to never cross the path of a black cat.

Why do people wear costumes on Halloween?

On November 1st the people who had passed away in the previous year were now looking for a body for their spirit to posses in the new upcoming year. The Irish believed that the laws of space and time did not exist on that day, and this was the only chance for the afterlife to possess people. The people would dress up in scary costumes to scare away the spirits, because they did not want to be possessed.

--rr

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Tristan’s Picks A Horror Film Fan’s Look at Horror IT’S THE TIME OF YEAR TO CELEBRATE It’s Hitchcockian directing at its best with WHAT MAKES OUR SPINE SHIVER, our the slow quiet build and never-before-seen

skin glisten with sweat, and our heartbeats increase. It’s when all networks offer a cornucopia of blood curling flicks. October is the name, horror is the game. Here are a few suggestions on how to well spend your movie time in October.

So why do we like horror? It allows us to get scared out of our minds in a safe and controlled environment. A great horror flick is one that will transport you from the safety of your seat into the horrific dimensions and mind-bending laws of nature: zombies sustained by the meat of a human brain, serial killers striking their victims in mid-dream, and unexplained blobs of goo suffocating entire populations of people. Each flick has a different effect on each viewer. I prefer films that find the horror in everyday things and situations with a slight bend on the laws of nature. With that said, allow me to suggest some of my favourite horror films from the last 50 years.

shattering of classic film convention. Anthony Perkins plays motel owner Norman Bates, completely engulfing himself in the role. The dramatic climax is a huge payoff, it certainly shocked me...

The Cabinet of Caligari (1962)

it into a nightmare with incomprehensible results. If you’re a a cafeteria catholic like myself, then films like this will send shivers up your spine.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Psycho (1960) Starring: Anthony Perkins Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock Written By: Joseph Stefano

Rosemary’s Baby (1968) Starring: Mia Farrow & John Cassavetes Written & Directed By: Roman Polanski What I love most about this film is, like most of my favourites, it has taken an event so human, dear, and quite normal – pregnancy- and turned

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FUTURÉALE

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arts.culture.living The Exorcist (1973) Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, & Max von Sydow Directed By: William Friedkin

Again, if you believe in good and evil, then this film will strike you with fear. What makes this film so great are the seamless ways effects were used to make the exorcism look and feel so real. No computerized special effects here folks. If this film were first made today instead of in 1973 I am convinced all of our contemporary special effects would take so much away from the film. I find effects are a double standard and just make thing look and feel so fake nowadays. But this film looks and feels 100% real; definitely one to watch in the middle of the night!

The Omen (1976) The Amityville Horror(1979) Alien (1979) The Shining (1980) Starring: Jack Nicholson & Shelly Duvall FUTURÉALE

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Directed By: Stanley Kubrick

This is one of my all time favourites for simply putting the classic haunted house story in the hands of one Stanley Kubrick and just watching it take flight. Watching Nicholson smash through that bathroom door exclaiming the classic “Here’s Johnny” line, all while seeing Duvall scream in horror is like no other film before or since. The dementia in his eyes looks chillingly real and the fear in her voice authentic and superb. Despite the great film, it differs greatly from the novel by Stephen King.

I would recommend you watch the film and then read the book.

Misery (1990) Apt Pupil (1998) The Blair Witch Project (1999) Starring: Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, & Joshua Leonard Directed By: Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez

I was 12 years old when this film came out. As a kid, I thought it was genuinely real. This is why it ranks up there as one of my favourites.

It just felt and looked so real to me that it stole many hours of sleep from me that month. I remember renting it and watching it with my cousin in our basement, hiding underneath our blankets and afraid to poke our heads out in fear of what we might see. That’s horror. I may have been 12, but I have not been scared like that since.

The Ring (2002) Signs (2002) Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan I am a huge Shyamalan fan. You either love or hate his movies but Signs is probably my favourite. I’m a sucker for Alien movies – I don’t know why, I just am! I loved, however, how this movie played out. We learned and heard everything about this invasion completely from the family’s point of view. The

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viewer was sequestered and trapped inside this small country house along with the family and was fed only as much information as the family knew. Many times in films, despite this attempt by a director, an audience can’t help but try and piece the puzzle together themselves.

This time however, it’s near impossible and as a viewer, you are left helpless with no other option but to sit back and ride it out.

Saw (2004) 28 Weeks Later (2007) Paranormal Activity (2007 direct-tovideo; 2009 theatrical) Directed By: Oren Peli So, I mentioned before I had never been as scared as much as I had while watching Blair Witch...well...I was wrong. In going down my list of must-watch movies I read this one’s name and just shuddered in my chair. I think it says a lot about a film to have been originally released in 2007 as a direct-to-video release,

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only to have it gain so much popularity to warrant a theatrical release two years later, with a sequel to be released. This film has one of the single freakiest scenes I have ever seen in a film. I won’t give it away, but you’ll watch it and immediately know what I’m talking about.

Hint: it’s a scene that is predominantly actorless.

film was originally a Netherlands film but has slowly made its way to North America. It is truly a sinister and horrific film, one that you must go out of your way to see. I don’t even want to give the plot of the film away as its shock is a huge part of the film.

There it is folks. The genre itself is truly a special one when you think about it. No other genre of movies has a month pretty much dedicated to it. It’s certainly a part of what makes horror films so much fun. A horror film released in March just doesn’t have the same effect and impact as one released near the end of September and early October. In addition to this, it is also one of the few genre’s of film that has to work hard at reinventing itself to appeal to its viewer. It may be easy to write just another slapstick comedy, but it’s certainly hard work to create a story that strikes fear in the majority of people who view it. Drama’s, Comedy’s are nice, but the best Horror films easily beat out the best drama or comedy any day of the week. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

I think it goes without saying that a dark room and your favourite blanket should be paired with these film for the best screams.

--rr

The Happening (2008) The Fourth Kind (2009) The Human Centipede (2010) Starring: Dieter Laser Directed By: Tom Six I just finished watching this film merely hours ago and I had to squeeze it in. I am convinced this movie will garner a huge cult following.

The fantastic portrayal of Dr. Heiter by Dieter Laser, a German actor, is the most chilling portrayal of any sinister villain I have seen in quite some time. This seriously gives Anthony Hopkins’ Dr. Lector a run for his money. The FUTURÉALE

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arts.culture.living

REEL WORLD TIFF PARTY 2010 ON A RAINY SATURDAY EVENING just days after the start of TIFF, FutuRéale Events crew and I once again were invited to Tonya Lee Williams TIFF soiree. As per usual, it was a Reel World event honoring the 20 Emerging Directors. Here are some brief interviews we had with some of the lucky directors.

Mazi Khalighi (Emerging 20)- “It feels good to be here as the Emerging 20 at Reel World. It is so gratifying to be selected. I have directed and written 6 short films and written a couple of features. Some of my work is multicultural.”

Laurie Townsend (Emerging 20)- “It has been a fantastic experience being with other great people and to talk all about next steps.

Tonya has been so supportive as well. I am here working on BISHOP’S CROWN and trying to find someone to champion it” Jorge Manzano (Emerging 20)- “I am working on a feature screenplay called EL GOLPE and it is the story of a leftist militant leader. Tonya is really great and puts a positive spin on everything!”

Dale Thompson (Emerging 20)- “It is incredible to be around so many people in the industry and the leaders TIFF brings out. My documentary is about overcoming agoraphobia something I have suffered from.

A year ago I could not be here, you got to push yourself. All I thought about was the film.”

Tricia Lee (Emerging 20)- “It is a great experience to begin with. I just finished a Bravo Fact Short, I am working on 2 features and a pilot” FUTURÉALE

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As with every great party there are tons of people there you were not expecting. Here are some great interviews with some of the great people we met up with by surprise.

Gemadijs Dolgamovs (Actor, Gemini Nominee)- “It feels really good to be at this party and with such great people at the festival.

Tonya is fabulous and has done so much for the community. In THE BRIDGE I play Alex a major crime detective and I am up for a Best Supporting Actor Gemini. My character is Russian and worked at former KGB and came to North America with nothing. It is a co-production with CTV and CBS and CTV has picked us up for a second season. I am extremely honored to be up for a Gemini.”

Ryan Singh (Director/Producer)- “Since we I last spoke to FutuRéale readers I went L.A and found an amazing play called “Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love”. It has been playing in NYC for seven and a half years. It premiered last year in Toronto and I am bringing it back with popular demand. It is an elbow nudging show where the person next you nudges you from their reaction.”

Leon Saul (Director of Stage Play/ Running for Council)- “My most recent play worked with 12 actors and actresses and we prepared them and then filmed the play” Amber Harper-Young (Comedian)- “ It is great to make people laugh, I could not do anything else. When people come to see me they should NEVER know what to expect!”

Bobby Del Rio (Canadian Feature Film Programmer for Reel World/Actor/ Filmmaker)- “ I used to be an artist on the panel of Reel World and my Gala film won

By Shawn Shapiro an award. So Tonya asked me to take this position.”

Vince Jerad (Actor/Filmmaker)- “ I made the film 1999 and it made the Vancouver International Top 10 Films. Bobby Del Rio picked the film and in the festival we got the prestigious CBC Reel Choice Award.”

Jeanette Tyzer (Actress)- “ I am currently the voice in the WHISTLE BLOWER playing at TIFF. It is my first TIFF film and I am so excited about it. It pays of as an actress to be bilingual. I also look for depth in my characters, like a flower to explore.”

Skylarc (Director)- “I run Caribbean Tales which is a world wide distribution company to get Caribbean films to TIFF. I am from Barbados and am working on a film on HIV and Sexual Violence.”

--rr

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nastasia Rokin A y a B

Love Rhythms

CAN THE BETTER QUALITIES OF A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP BE SALVAGED IN A FRIENDSHIP? Eliminating the obvious no-factors, like cheating or abuse, a friendship can more than likely work out....but for how long? We all know that once you have had an intimate relationship with someone, its nearly impossible to see them as you did when you first met. Once you have had that close bond, is it possible to put up the walls that you two spent so much time decadently taking apart piece by piece?

In a study done in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the problem that topped the list of male-female friendships was sexual tension, and that’s for platonic friendships alone. An already “discovered” sexual relationship eliminates attraction facilitated by mystery, but only reaffirms the pleasure in experienced encounters. With the constant reminder of having to limit oneself, physically as well as verbally, we restrict ourselves every time a conversation angles towards romanticism. We try to avoid both affirmations of the breakup, and sexual tensions resulting from having to restrain our natural instincts to kiss or hold hands. Our relations then become more of a censored affiliation than a truehearted friendship.

Rhetorically asking ourselves if the constant reminder of a failed relationship is a burden worth carrying (with disregard to the circumstances of the breakup itself), where do we draw the line? Completely cutting off contact could work, but more for one than

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intimite to plantonic

the other. Dating other people would seem harmless, but to one and not the other. One wants to hang around more, the other less.

Bottom line: someone will still get hurt.

It’s unfortunate that there is no easy way to transition from intimate to platonic, but what most of us forget is that we must first grieve the loss of a relationship before we can build a new one.

There will almost always be an inequity of agreement; the imbalance of hesitation. One

“Love is like glass; sometimes it’s better to remember how it was, then to hurt yourself trying to put it back together.” lover will only be willing in hopes to rekindle the relationship, while the other uses this as a means of easing the transition. It is true that some qualities that create significant problems in relationships are dimmed in a friendship, and although this might make it easier to get along, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s easier on the heart.

Most of us hate admitting that eventually, even though we remain “friends”, we fall back into the sexual routine. We know our exes’ sexual habits. They know ours. We feel comfortable with them, and we feel safe. But we need to acknowledge that if we constantly reinforce our sexual habits, the associated feelings will reinforce themselves too. Even if we have developed an emotional disregard for our exes, arousal and stimulation releases

oxytocin into the body, as a result increasing feelings of intimacy and closeness.

When we find qualities we enjoy in our partners, and when a relationship ends, a friendship allows us to continue enjoying these qualities without the pressure of having to maintain an intimate relationship. However, what most of us don’t realize if that even if a friendship can work, you can’t tell the heart how to feel. We will always expect just a bit more from our exes than from our regular friends. There are still emotional leftovers that creep up on us from time to time, and no matter how much we try to suppress them, we are still more vulnerable to our exes than to anyone else.

Even if a friendship farther benefits us than a relationship, we can’t lie to ourselves that the mild sting of seeing them with another doesn’t bother us even a little bit. For some strange reason, we will always continue to hope we are the only ones upon who fall their loving gazes, even if we were the ones to leave them.

Whence together, you were faithful and loyal to each other. Now that that’s out the window.

So the debilitating question it all comes down to is this: Is it better to have them in your life in some shape or form, then to not have them at all? Can the constant bitter reminder of a failed relationship be tolerable? Or is it better to just forget about it all and shadow the false hope of rekindlement that might peer in from time to time?

-jr FUTURÉALE

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BY CHRISTINA DUN

Costs

o Costumes the

Hall

of

ween

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR ONCE AGAIN, with the day full of spooky events,

pumpkin carving and candy galore right around the corner. Although Halloween isn’t the most expensive holiday out there, a lot of costs need to be taken into consideration.

Costumes should be the first priority, despite all the decorations, candy and haunted houses.

Only once a year do you get to dress up as anything you could ever imagine, so why not be creative – without breaking the bank!

Tacky Halloween costumes from major retailers are so expensive that they’re just not worth their price. Push those boring options aside when thinking about your next Halloween ensemble and you’ll save yourself some extra cash as well as closet space.

Between the cost of living in Toronto and other major necessities, costume prices can be a burden and can end up being a second thought. Luckily, there are more affordable options that require minimal spending and a bit of imagination.When there are so many options out there, it’s hard to narrow your FUTURÉALE

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choice down to one. But with the growing trend of thriftiness, the price of a costume could be a deciding factor. Although there is an abundance of fantastic characters or everyday objects that one could emulate, people often find it difficult to find that perfect outfit. This is where second-hand stores, or thrift stores, come to the rescue.

A great place to go for your all Halloween needs is your local Value Village store.

Whether you are looking for masks, fully packaged outfits, hats, wigs or miscellaneous costume pieces, you’re sure to find something among the new or used items. There is a whole section reserved for Halloween related items, which comes in handy when searching for vampire fangs or fairy wings. They also carry a wide variety of props, from broomsticks to swords to feather boas.

But, if you have the time to venture throughout the entire store, you can easily turn any clothing item into a costume idea with just your imagination. For example, any animal printed clothing could become a leopard or

a zebra. Retro printed dresses and the right accessories could help you look as though you stepped out of a time machine from the 1970s.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to stores like Value Village. You could take a plain white sweatshirt and turn yourself into a marshmallow, a ghost or even a cloud! Thanks to these stores, finding Halloween costumes on a budget has never been so easy.

Other simple ideas that are sure to be a hit at your next Halloween bash are: a crazy celebrity fan, a superhero, or a classic nerd. To be a kooky fan, all you need is a t-shirt with “I love _____” written on the front. Make signs expressing your love for Britney or Brad and you’ll be set! To transform into a superhero, wear tights and a cape. Add a large homemade crest or symbol on your chest for that last magical detail. And to be a nerd, all you need is a pair of suspenders, big black-rimmed glasses and a textbook to complete your look.

You may also choose to take the group approach. There are many ideas that require more than one person; why not get a group of

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arts.culture.living friends together and really make a statement?

Some great group ideas include a fruit salad, a box of crayons, a bag of M&Ms, or even the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore! For the fruit salad option, all you need are different coloured shirts and clothing matching the colours of your favourite fruits. For example, you could put together a yellow ensemble with a brown hat and you’re a banana! It’s as simple as that, just find a few friends to stick by your side and you’ll have a quick, easy, no-hassle costume!

If all else fails, take a look inside the walls of your own home and make something out of anything. Boxes, garbage bags and newspapers can make a brilliant costume. With an average cardboard box, you could be a transformer, a robot, a remote control or even a juice box!

And sometimes you can find some treasures in your own closet. Why not throw on a headband with a bow and call yourself Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl? Or throwing a sash with the words ‘Miss World’ across your old prom dress and be a pageant winner. You never know what you could use from your own wardrobe if you don’t take the time to get creative!

Ultimately, there’s no need to spend your whole pay check when Halloween rolls around and you can definitely live without those hiked up costume prices. So be sure to check out your local vintage stores, thrift stores or Value Village, or be resourceful in your own household, because you never know what you could find!

Good luck and happy hunting!

--rr and ma

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arts.culture.living

A CULTURE OF

FEAR

promised a weekend of discussions about economic outlooks, foreign policies and international communications. Its unexpected consequences were the fear and backlash that stayed in Toronto after the G20 left.

In the aftermath of the G20, rather than remark on the progress made during these international talks, the media instead

if asked. Anyone who failed to provide identification or an insufficient explanation could be searched and arrested. This new regulation passed in Ontario’s cabinet on June 2 without legislature debate.

The G8/G20 Integrated Security Unit assured the public that the new regulations were precautionary measures to ensure the security of the G20 officials.

Over the course of the weekend, over 900 people were arrested, although few

political activism, a country known for its peacekeeping nature, transformed into a protest zone. In only 24 hours, more people were arrested than during the October Crisis in Quebec 40 years ago.

Back in the early 1960s, the government under John Robarts tried to pass a similar law (Bill 99), which would have given the police powers similar to what they had during the G20. The government concluded that the law was inappropriate and inconsistent with

focused on the story behind-the-scenes: the invigoration of Canadian politics.

Prior to the Summit weekend, the Ontario government passed a new regulation, which allows police to take drastic measures to maintain the utmost security at G20 events.

Under the new regulations, anyone who came within a five meter radius of the security zone (which included the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and along the security fence) was obliged to give the police their name and state the purpose of their visit

were actually charged and prosecuted. Yet, despite these extreme security measures, Toronto streets were destroyed as banks and commercial chain stores were broken into and police cars were set on fire. One billion dollars in security, 20,000 law enforcement officials and 1,000 private security guards failed to securitize this city.

Those arrested claimed they didn’t want to lose their free speech or freedom of assembly simply because prominent members were in town. Suddenly, a city that rarely sees such

Canada’s democratic traditions. Premier Robarts’ attorney general, Fred Cass, was forced to withdraw the bill and resign.

Behind the prestige of a world conference is the criticism that this event was a corporatedriven excuse to make a profit. This event brought together Canadian state security agencies with a Canadian multinational corporation that gained millions in public funds. The contract to build up the security in downtown Toronto was given to Montrealbased engineering company, SNC-Lavalin,

WHEN THE G20 SUMMIT CAME TO TORONTO THIS SUMMER, it

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arts.culture.living which has a history of seeking global contracts.

In 2004, its subsidiary, SNC Technologies, managed to make a deal to manufacture over 300 million bullets for the US military in preparation for the war in Iraq. A year later, SNC-Lavalin’s annual general meeting was met with a barrage of protests, condemning the participation of Canadian corporations in the US war on terror. As public rage increased, the contract was dropped.

Another one of SNC-Lavalin’s big contracts is in Afghanistan, where it works with the Canadian military in Kandahar. Its role is to develop infrastructure that can help assist Afghanis with the transitional change in their government. The corporation was selected to rebuild a dam on the Arghandab River, a 50 million dollar Canadian accomplishment in Afghanistan, which is now taking a turn for the worse.

SNC-Lavalin works directly within the militarized compound of Ahmed Wali Karzai, the younger half-brother of Afghani leader Hamid Karzai. Recent paramilitary clashes over the project facing a ballooning budget have forced Canadians overseeing the project to leave Afghanistan. New developments by US investigators indicate that officials linked to Karzai may be conspiring with local insurgents to maximize profits by securing a development project that is on the brink of disaster.

SNC Lavalin is a beneficiary of the post9/11 global security demands. However, these security developments may not be protecting Afghanis or Canadian interests in Afghanistan at all. Private security companies and engineering contractors have relied on this climate of fear to maximize their profit by keeping fear and security needs at bay.

Following 9/11, over 130 billion dollars was invested into private contracting companies by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Perpetuating a climate of fear only ensures that a city can play into the security needs and hand over millions of dollars to support it.

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The need for a billion dollars of security in a post- 9/11 world is rooted in this cycle of fear.

Rather than open up the doors to discourse and freedom of thought, Canadians closed the door to those democratic ideals under the guise of maintaining security. The new regulations and security preparations developed for the G20 summit only entrenched the idea of a new security culture in Canada.

Ontario police prepared for violent behavior at the G20 summit, and encouraged a belief that the only way to protect citizens is through the removal of certain rights. This occurred in the city that Statistics Canada maintains has had the second lowest overall crime rate in all 27 metropolitan areas. Canada’s national crime rate has been declining for the past three years, although the media doesn’t show it.

Torontoist Magazine studied the homicide statistics in Toronto and found that Toronto

is a relatively safe city to live in. Despite statistics like these, Canadian newspapers like the Toronto Sun make vivid reports of the “summer of the gun… again” (2007 and 2008), even though the number of people killed by any type of weapon went down 28% in 2008.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) stated that the risk of terrorism is low.

Yet protesters at the G20 were not allowed to express their opinions and instead the city prepared to stifle them. Companies like SNCLavalin benefited from the militarization of Toronto’s culture.

In the post G20 Toronto, citizens are now confronted with a climate of fear that they must accept or refuse. The sensationalism of Canadian politics only serves certain interests, not those of private individuals. Perpetuating this climate only allows the cycle of fear - real or not - to continue.

--rr and ma FUTURÉALE

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