Téléfilm Canada (Canada): 15

David Cronenberg’s science fiction body horror drama, Crimes of the Future (2022), takes place in an unspecified future where biotechnology has advanced greatly. This has resulted in the creation of machines and computers that can directly interface with and control bodily functions, making them commonplace. As a result, humans have also undergone unexplained biological changes. These include the disappearance of physical pain and infectious disease for a majority of people, allowing for safe conscious surgery in regular settings. However, some individuals have experienced more radical alterations to their ...

Fireheart (2022), a computer-animated adventure comedy directed by Theodore Ty and Lauren Zeitoun, takes place in 1930’s New York. The protagonist is Georgia Nolan, a determined 16-year-old with aspirations to become the first female firefighter. Despite being discouraged by her father Shawn, a former firefighter himself, who believes women are not fit for the job. The mayor of New York reaches out to Shawn and convinces him to lead a new team of young firefighters in stopping a serial arsonist using purple gas to hypnotize and kidnap fellow firefighters. In order ...

Stockholm (2018) is a crime comedy-drama film written, produced and directed by Robert Budreau. Based on true events, it delves into the fascinating concept of Stockholm Syndrome – the psychological phenomenon where captives develop an emotional bond with their captors. The story takes place in 1973, when a lone armed man, believed to be American, holds up a downtown Stockholm bank. He demands $1 million US, the release of convicted bank robber and murderer Gunnar Sorensson, and a Mustang Boss 302 as their getaway car – inspired by Steve McQueen’s iconic ride in Bullitt. However, things take an ...

Based on Amélie Nothomb’s 2007 autobiographical novel, Tokyo Fiancée (2014) is a Belgian romance-drama film written and directed by Stefan Liberski. It was selected for the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. The film received three nominations at the 5th Magritte Awards. After leaving Japan at age five and growing up in Europe, Amélie returns to Japan at age 20 to reconnect with her Japanese roots. She settles into a small apartment in Tokyo and offers French language tutoring as a means of support. One of her students ...

Backcountry (2014) is a Canadian nature-survival horror film, written and directed by Adam MacDonald as his debut feature film. It is loosely based on the real-life story of Mark Jordan and Jacqueline Perry, who were attacked by a black bear while camping in Missinaibi Lake Provincial Park, located north of Chapleau, Ontario in 2005. For his bravery during the incident, Mark received the Star of Courage award from Governor General Michaëlle Jean. The movie follows Alex and his girlfriend Jenny as they arrive at a provincial park for a weekend camping trip. Excited to explore a trail he loved as a child, Alex declines a ...

Enemy (2013), a neo-noir surrealist psychological thriller, was directed by Denis Villeneuve and produced by M.A. Faura and Niv Fichman. The protagonist of the film, a quiet and routine-driven history professor named Adam Bell, attends an underground club where an erotic performance leads to a woman almost crushing a live tarantula with her platform high-heel. After being recommended the film Where There’s a Will There’s a Way by a colleague, Adam becomes intrigued when he sees an actor who bears a striking ...

The fantasy film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), was directed and co-written by Terry Gilliam along with Charles McKeown. Heath Ledger’s performance in most of the movie was later replaced by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as different versions of his character in the dream world. This was Ledger’s final acting role and a dedication to him and ...

The science fiction drama film, Mr. Nobody (2009), written and directed by Jaco Van Dormael, follows the life of Nemo Nobody. As the last mortal on Earth in a world where humans have achieved quasi-immortality, 118-year-old Nemo’s memories are fading. He shares his life story with a doctor and journalist, discussing his three main loves and the impact of his parents’ divorce on his journey. Throughout the film, the speculative narrative explores alternate life paths resulting from different decisions made by Nemo at ages nine, fifteen, and thirty-four. With a nonlinear structure incorporating the multiverse ...

Polytechnique (2009), a Canadian drama film directed and written by Denis Villeneuve and Jacques Davidts, follows the actions of a troubled young man. Armed with a rifle, he leaves a message for his mother before heading to Polytechnique Montreal – an engineering school – and interrupting a class. With his weapon in hand, he orders the men to leave while commanding the women to stay. When they hesitate, he fires into the ceiling to prove the gravity of his intent. He then proceeds to express disdain towards feminists, despite some of the women denying any ...

The Snow Walker (2003) is a Canadian survival drama film that was written and directed by Charles Martin Smith. The story follows Charlie Halliday, a Canadian bush pilot who served in the Second World War and is now based in Yellowknife. While on a routine job in the Queen Maud Gulf during the summer of 1953, Charlie comes across a group of Inuit who are in need of his assistance. They have a sick young woman named Kanaalaq with them and they ask Charlie to fly her to a hospital as they suspect she has tuberculosis. Initially hesitant, Charlie eventually agrees to help when they offer him two valuable walrus tusks. ...

Foolproof (2003) is a Canadian heist film directed by William Phillips. Kevin, Sam and Rob have created a game by the same name where they strategize and design plans to successfully burglarize various targets. However, instead of carrying out these heists in real life, they simply simulate them, using their technical and physical skills to complete the tasks required for the mission. Adhering to specific rules such as using identical equipment and infrastructure as their target and abstaining from firearms, everything goes smoothly until notorious criminal Leo Gillette breaks into Sam’s apartment and steals their ...

Maelström (2000), a Canadian absurdist psychological drama film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, tells the story of Bibiane Champagne, a successful 25-year-old businesswoman in Quebec during the autumn of 1999. As she is being gutted alive by a fishmonger, Bibiane reflects on her life and the struggles she faces. Despite her achievements as head of three clothing boutiques and being the daughter of a famous person named Flo Fabert, Bibiane has recently had an abortion. During an interview with a journalist, she puts on a confident front but is confronted by her partner and brother Philippe for numerous ...

Little Men (1998) is a Canadian family drama film that features Mariel Hemingway and Chris Sarandon. It is based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of 1871, the same author who wrote Little Women. Essentially, it serves as a sequel to the 1994 film version of Little Women. The story takes place in New England during this time period, specifically focusing on two young orphans named Nat Blake and Dan. They survive by using their wits and thievery while living on the streets of Boston. However, an event ...

The Sweet Hereafter (1997), a Canadian drama, was written and directed by Atom Egoyan, based on the 1991 novel by Russell Banks. It takes place in the small town of Sam Dent, British Columbia, where tragedy strikes when a school bus skids on ice, breaks through a barrier, and crashes into a lake, claiming the lives of 14 children. A grief-stricken group of parents is approached by an out-of-town lawyer named Mitchell Stephens. He is troubled by his tumultuous relationship with his drug-addicted daughter. Despite their initial hesitance, Stephens convinces the parents and ...

The miniseries, It (1990), is a two-part psychological horror drama based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. It was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and adapted by Lawrence D. Cohen. Set in Derry, Maine in 1960 during a heavy rainstorm, young George Denbrough is playing with his paper sailboat in the streets. His older brother Bill, who stutters, made the boat for him. Unfortunately, it ends up going down a storm drain. There, Georgie meets Pennywise the Dancing Clown who entices him to retrieve his boat. ...