ALFF FILMS

Doug And The Slugs And Me

DIR. TERESA ALFELD, 2022, BRITISH COLUMBIA | 88 MIN

SCREENING SPONSOR: DIRECTORS GUILD OF CANADA - BC DISTRICT

A POV documentary following filmmaker Teresa Alfeld’s journey uncovering the story of her childhood best friend’s dad, Doug Bennett, leader of the legendary 1980s Canadian party band Doug and the Slugs.

More than just another rock doc, this film is as much a bittersweet commentary on the elusive nature of success in the music industry; that energizing, enervating altar for ambition and despair. It also becomes a very touching reverie about friendship, its limitations and considerable consolations – as well as a fun time portal to the Vancouver of the late 70s and 80s.

Director Teresa Alfeld in attendance for post-screening Q&A.

The Empress Of Vancouver

DIR. DAVE RODDEN-SHORTT, 2022, BRITISH COLUMBIA | 90 MIN

SCREENING SPONSOR: WINTERLONG BREWING CO.

A cinematic and intimate collision of drag, queer history, and performance art, this musical and irreverent documentary follows trans icon Oliv Howe, as she prepares for the 40th anniversary of her coronation.

Oliv always looks absolutely fabulous. After all, she was the 10th Empress of the Vancouver Dogwood Monarchist Society, a crown bestowed to her in 1981. In Oliv’s story of resilient self-actualization, relayed with wit and compassion, we are transported to Vancouver’s past drag subculture, and to the deep-seated ignorance, suspicion and homophobia faced by the queer community as a whole. This is fascinating social history, but also a celebration of proud lives lived out loud.

DIR. JERZY SKOLIMOWSKI, 2022, POL/ ITA/ UK | 86 MIN

SCREENING SPONSOR: RE/MAX ACTION REALTY

The world is a mysterious place when seen through the eyes of an animal. EO, a grey donkey with melancholic eyes, meets good and bad people on his life’s path. He experiences joy and pain, endures the wheel of fortune which randomly turns his luck into disaster and his despair into unexpected bliss. But not even for a moment does he lose his innocence.

In Polish, English, French, Spanish and Italian with English subtitles.

Content advisory: animal cruelty, violence.

ETERNAL SPRING (長春)

DIR. JASON LOFTUS, 2022, ONTARIO | 91 MIN

SCREENING SPONSOR: CANADA MEDIA FUND & TELEFILM

In March 2002, a state TV signal in China was hacked by members of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong. Their goal is to counter the government narrative about their practice. In the violent aftermath, Falun Gong practitioner and comic book illustrator Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars) is forced to flee to North America. Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by Daxiong’s art, Eternal Spring (長春) retraces the event on its 20th anniversary. This animated documentary brings to life an unprecedented story of defiance told through eyewitness accounts of persecution and artistry. Eternal Spring (長春) represents Canada in the race for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Oscars.

In Mandarin and English with English subtitles.

Writer, director Jason Loftus and producer, Masha Loftus in attendance.