Outtakes

Conrad Black in Doc Soup

October 6 marks the return of Doc Soup, the film series organized by the Hot Docs folks that features the world's best documentaries.
The first film in the programme is Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine's Citizen Black, which cuts through the media circus surrounding the mogul's illustrious fall from grace, revealing a new, although not necessarily more sensitive, Conrad Black. Melnyk's encounters with Black over the course of three years shows the tycoon in all of his glory; he is by turns charming, combative and even funny. Appearances by Donald Trump, Richard Perle, Henry Kissinger, Christie Blatchford, David Frum and more highlight the spectacle of Black's existence even in his darkest hours. Strapped for cash, weathering lawsuits and racketeering charges, Black is struggling. But even when pushed from his publishing throne, Black remains as feisty and confrontational as ever, defending his ruthless business practices and staunchly conservative political views.
The screening takes place at 7 p.m. at the Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. West. The directors will be on hand at the screening to introduce the film and to discuss their work.
Tickets are $10 at the door, but students get in free. For more information call 416.203.2155.

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The 2004 Directors Guild of Canada Awards takes place at The Carlu on October 2. Hosted this year by Mary Walsh, the evening will feature renowned actor Leslie Nielsen who'll present childhood friend Arthur Hiller (Love Story, Plaza Suite) with the DGC's Lifetime Achievement Award. A total of 19 team and individual craft awards will be presented to DGC members. Nominees who have confirmed their attendance include: Denys Arcand (The Barbarian Invasions); Emile Gaudreault (Mambo Italiano); Lea Pool (The Blue Butterfly); Brad Turner (Human Cargo); Scott Smith (Falling Angels); Lynne Stopkewich (The Life); Shawn Alex Thompson (Puppets Who Kill); and David Wellington (The Eleventh Hour). Awards presenters include Nicholas Campbell, Don Carmody and Wayne Clarkson.

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The Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the ROM presents Canadian Cinema on the Fast Track to Maturity, a post-Toronto International Film Festival panel discussion that questions the current status of the Canadian film industry. Film critic Cameron Bailey, a member of the ICC Advisory Council, will moderate the discussion with guest panelists Fabrizio Filippo, director of this year's The Human Kazoo and star of TIFF 2000's Waydowntown; Wiebke von Carolsfeld, director of Marion Bridge, winner of the 2002 CityTV award for Best Canadian First Feature; and Steve Gravestock, associate director of TIFF's Canadian Special Projects. Part of the ICC lecture series entitled Cultural Currents, the event will take place on Friday, October 1 at 6 p.m., admission free. For more information visit www.rom.on.ca/icc

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One of my toddler's favourite movies, Home on the Range, is finally available on DVD, with so many cool features it's hard to drag the 4-year-old away from the TV set. The animated feature centres on cows racing to thwart the land-grabbing aims of a nasty cattle rustler and features the voices of Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr., Randy Quaid, and Steve Buscemi. Disney's DVD contains a great enhanced widescreen transfer of the feature with audio commentary from writer-directors Will Finn and John Sandford and producer Alice Dewey; a production featurette; four deleted scenes; a music video for The Beu Sisters' "Anytime You Need a Friend;" a few games; and a new short film, A Dairy Tale which re-tells the story of the Three Little Pigs featuring the characters from the film.

Publication Date: 2004-10-03
Story Location: http://www.tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4461