It’s the 40th anniversary of the Junos, and the TIFF Bell Lightbox will be rocking all week in salute, screening a program of features and documentaries – mostly documentaries – that spotlight Canadian musical talent, with introductions from a series of special guests.
The series kicks off Sunday with Jonathan Demme’s stately concert movie Neil Young: Heart Of Gold, introduced by Juno nominees Emm Gryner and Suzie McNeil, followed by Bruce McDonald’s This Movie Is Broken, introduced by Broken Social Scene biographer Stuart Berman.
Berman returns Monday night to introduce Anthony Seck’s Feist documentary Look At What The Light Did Now. The second feature is Bruce McDonald’s prison documentary Music From The Big House, introduced by McDonald and blues singer Rita Chiarelli, who originated the project.
Tuesday, it’s François Girard’s Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould, presented by Brian Levine, the executive director of the Glenn Gould Foundation. (That one comes with a live performance by pianist Claudia Chan.) The contemplative serenity of Girard’s experimental biopic will then be shattered by the raucous spirit of Bruce McDonald’s Hard Core Logo, introduced by members of Billy Talent, which named itself after the character Callum Keith Rennie plays in the movie.
Wednesday night offers just one film, Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage – presumably because no one could possibly follow Rush. Directors Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen will provide the introduction.
On Thursday, it’s Andy Keen’s Escarpment Blues, about Sarah Harmer’s 2005 tour to raise awareness of the threatened Niagara Escarpment – introduced by both Keen and Harmer – followed by Festival Express, introduced by executive producer Garth Taylor and one of the documentary’s subjects, concert promoter Richard Flohill.
Friday’s offerings provide an interesting contrast, with Ron Allen’s reverent Oscar Peterson: Keeping The Groove Alive leading into the metal mania of Sacha Gervasi’s Anvil! The Story Of Anvil. Kelly Peterson and jazz pianist Robi Botos will introduce the first feature broadcaster and music historian Alan Cross will introduce the second alongside bandmates Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner.
The series wraps up March 26 with a double-bill of Ron Mann’s Blue Rodeo: In Stereovision, introduced by Mann and bandmates Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, and Lian Lunson’s all-star concert tribute Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, introduced rather intriguingly by Peter Mansbridge and Juno winner Amelia Curran.
A rocking time is guaranteed for all. Especially at that Anvil! screening.
