Outside of the confines of Manitoba, not much is known about Manitoba. People may recognize the funny-sounding name of its capital city (Winnipeg), but few people can find it on a map, let alone spell it. Many assume that it is a sea-borne mammal, not a province (which is the Canadian word for “state”). Manitoba exists in the shadow of Saskatchewan, a province that gazes longingly at the wild child that is North Dakota. It is the back-up to a minor character’s understudy. It is the very heart of nowhere.
To the film buffs amongst us, however, Winnipeg is known as the Hollywood of central Canada, and has produced films and filmmakers that have altered the course of cinematic (possibly even human) history. Says me, anyway.
For a couple of Thursday nights in April, I’ll be bowing down to these cinematic giants. Both of them. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be joining me and the dirty roughnecks I hang out with.
The schedule looks like this:
April 15th, 8pm: the OPENING GALA:
Crime Wave, by John Paizs. The single greatest color crime movie ever made.
Unless you’re Canadian, you probably haven’t seen this movie, and even then it’s unlikely. Because we live in a terrible and unjust world. It had its initial screening at the Toronto Film Festival, which was followed shortly thereafter by its final screening in Winnipeg. It never saw a proper theatrical release, and the video release in the US had the titles disfigured to read “The Big Crime Wave”, so as not to cause confusion with Sam Raimi’s big-studio dud of the same year, Crimewave. The film survived as a late-night staple on the CBC, however, and the strange, dry humor attracted the attention of the Canadian funnymen who would go on to become Kids in the Hall. They hired Paizs to write and direct a few segments for them, and his humor informs much of their own.
Crime Wave tells the story of Steven Penny, a quiet man who aspires to write color crime movies. Plot-wise, that’s all the set-up you really need. If for some reason you want to know more about the movie before it screens, go ahead and google it, but I highly recommend going into this film blind.
Shot in the style of ’50s educational films, it’s a real wonder to behold. I think it’s fair to say that there has never been another film like this one, and you owe it to yourself to catch it.
April 22nd, 8pm: the DULL MIDDLE:
First up is Springtime in Greenland, also by John Paizs. Even if you’re Canadian you haven’t seen this short film. It’s not as good as Crime Wave, but it’s worth watching. And it has a parade.
Next, it’s Cowards Bend the Knee or The Blue Hands, by Guy Madden. While this film is also short (an hour), it’s so dense that you’ll feel like you sat through all 6 hours of that Che Guevara biopic – except you’ll have enjoyed it.
At first I found Madden’s films off-putting and overly artsy, and couldn’t make it through more than 10 minutes. And I was wrong to dismiss them. They quickly gel into really great films that reward patience with a big plate of disturbing humor. Madden claims that this film is autobiographical, which suggests that his parents owned a hair salon that doubled as a brothel at night. They also performed abortions there. And he was a rover for the Winnipeg Maroons hockey club.
Shot in black and white and replete with title cards, this film is styled like an early silent movie, but is saturated with a special kind of creepiness that is primordial. Films for the reptilian brain.
April 29th, 8pm: the CLOSING GALA:
Brand Upon the Brain. Madden also claims that this film is autobiographical, only in this one his parents run a lighthouse orphanage that performs crude experiments on their wards. Perhaps both are true, and his parents were exceedingly busy. Regardless, those are fucked-up parents.
When this film originally played in theaters, Madden went out on the road with it, bringing along a full band and 2 foley artist. Various people narrated it at different screenings, including Crispin Hellion Glover and Isabella Rosellini.
This film is also shot in the style of old silent films, and the DVD includes the narration of several of the actors who did the show live.
All films will be projected on my living room wall, starting at 8pm. Do not be late. Bring enough booze and foodstuffs to satisfy your own desires. Bartering of consumables will be tolerated.
If you’re interested in coming, please me and I’ll add you to the list.