Vancouver Bound for WIFF

I can’t wait to be re-united with Angela, Steve & Richard  (the western faction of The Baby Formula team) this week in Vancouver.  We have the honour of being the opening night film at the Women in Film Festival. 

We’re screening at the Vancity Wed Mar 4th at 7PM and Sat Mar 7, 12:30PM 

http://womeninfilm.bside.com/2009/films/thebabyformula_womeninfilm2009

Here’s some recent press: 

Gerorgia Straight, “A WIFF Director’s Mock Doc Bucks the System” http://www.straight.com/article-203106/wiff-directors-mock-doc-bucks-system

Xtra West, “Making Babies with Female Sperm”  http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Making_babies_with_female_sperm-6355.aspx 

Westedner, “Celluloid Sisterhood”      http://www.westender.com/articles/entry/movie-briefs3/

Variety Review

variety-the-baby-formula-review

“…the pic puts bulging bellies, swollen breasts and hormonal mood swings on unabashed display.”

This sweet-natured “Baby’s” got the goods to move beyond the LGBT ghetto…”

“this brightly designed feature debut by vet stunt coordinator Alison Reid offers feisty, sometimes lowbrow fun. “

Congrats on your Actra Award Rosemary!

Rosemary with Gordon Pinsent right after winning her Actra Award

During The Baby Formula shoot there were many memorable moments, but I will never forget this one:  After shooting a particularly emotional monologue with Rosemary Dunsmore, I called ‘cut’ and looked around the room. Our first AD, Pierre Oulette was standing just off camera to provide an eye line for Rosemary to play to. Tears were streaming down his face.  My eyes tracked around the room, surveying the rest of our small crew. The camera assistants, PA’s, electrics and yes – even the grips were all wiping away tears.  That was as powerful a performance as I’ve seen on all my years on set.

Rosemary brought to life Wanda, the right wing, religious, homophobic mother of Athena brilliantly. I have watched film festival audiences wince at Wanda’s frustrating behaviour, cringe at her irritating ways, laugh at her points of view, and before you know it Rosemary finesses Wanda into a character who is worthy of empathy and whose growth warms their hearts.

Last night Rosemary Dunsmore was chosen by her peers to be the recipient of the Toronto Actra Award for Outstanding Female Performer for her work in TBF.  I am so grateful that the Actra jury saw fit to recognize her talent, and also the talent of TBF’s second nominee, the gracious Megan Fahlenbock.  Thanks to the nominating jury members: Kelsey Matheson, Alan Powell, Marcia Bennett, John Boylan, Kelly Fanson. Thanks to the final jury members: Jayne Eastwood, Maria Del Mar, Miriam Laurence, Andrew David Long and Aaron Poole. Thanks also to Cayle Chernin for facilitating the whole process, and to Actra staff members: Eda Zimler, Tasso Lakas, Clare Johnston, and Karen Ritson.

Making this film would not have been possible without the generosity of the entire stellar cast through the Actra TIP program.  Thanks, especially, to all of you. 

Post Berlin: On to Vancouver and Korea

Berlin was great! After Natasha, Paul and I plastered the town with TBF posters,
the word was out and the stage was set. We had great turnouts to our market screenings, and Natasha sold rights to Cinemien (www.cinemien.nl) in Benelux. We also got offers for several other major territories. More news on that soon!

It was great to hang out with the Canadians: Ron Mann, Brigitte Hubmann, Scott Ferguson, Jason St-Laurent, Charlie Boudreau, Joan Schafer… We also met John Greyson, who’s latest film Fig Trees was in Panorama. What a sweet guy. And partied at the Canadian Embassy in Potsdamer Platz. Nice Place!

Now it’s on to Vancouver where TBF is the opening night film of the Women in Film Festival. And then off to Korea in April for the International Women’s Film Festival in Seoul (IWFFIS)

Did anyone see today’s playback? Guess who’s In the Director’s Chair section?