Waiting for Martin
(Magnus Isacsson, Sophia Southam)
Rating: NNN
Rating: NNN
This documentary tracks activist and NDP candidate David Bernans as he employs puppets, placards and protest songs in an attempt to score a debate with Liberal rival Paul Martin. The film’s at its strongest when illustrating the startling contrasts between Martin’s folksy rhetoric and his cutthroat policies. It’s also effective at showing how accreditation and controlled media access shape the news we’re allowed to hear. The politics are leavened by Sophia Southam’s great, creepily Pythonesque animation sequences. As for the activism itself, giant puppets and folky protest songs have never really moved me.
OCAP superhero John Clarke and NDP first lady Councillor Olivia Chow appear at the screening. (April 1, Bloor)