Staff
The Meaford Hall & Culture Foundation’s new artistic director, Joanne McKenzie, has announced The Meaford International Film Festival’s 11th season.
“Christopher Thomas did an amazing job these past five years, bringing extraordinary films to the Festival; and so I’m excited and a little scared, as I take on the challenge of being the fourth Artistic Director,” said McKenzie.
MIFF runs from Thursday, August 31 to Sunday, September 3, and is presented by the Meaford Hall & Culture Foundation at Meaford Hall. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on movies and dinners, go to www.meafordfilmfest.ca. You can purchase film tickets or film passes (14% discount) and dinner tickets at the box office, call 877-538-0463, or go on-line www.meafordhall.ca.
“We continue to focus on internationally acclaimed and award-winning films. This year’s mix includes a music documentary about the ‘blues’, some true life stories and a heartwarming look at love and friendship,” said McKenzie. “We are also continuing the traditions of showcasing a student film each evening, live interviews on stage and of course the party afterwards in the tent. New this year is the balcony renovation, which means comfortable seats for everyone. MIFF is again offering dinners by local caterers each evening before the films: The Kitchen on Thursday, followed by Andrew’s Roots on Friday, The Damn Pub on Saturday, and Amici Catering on Sunday.”
MIFF kicks off with the Thursday matinee, a British film, What We Did on Our Holiday. Everything is not always what it seems in a family, and keeping an impending divorce secret is pretty much impossible. What can tear families apart can also bring them together. “Do we want to spend 95 minutes of our summer holiday watching a film about a young, squabbling, dysfunctional British family on a sham trip? Yes, we do.” The Globe & Mail.
With this being Canada’s 150th Birthday, organizers say it seemed appropriate to include a Canadian story. The Festival opens on Thursday night with the film Maudie, based on the true story about Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, who was afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. She went on to become one of the most inspiring figures in Canadian art.
The student film is Tea & Terror, by Meaford’s own Sydney Black.
Friday, September 1 takes us to the Czech Republic and the film The Teacher. Director Jan Hrebejk says, “All adults and most children have experienced the feeling where something that might benefit you now might also be the wrong thing to do. Or the other way around: that following your conscience or moral code may be difficult or very disadvantageous. That’s why this story is understandable to everyone.” Petr Jarchovsky, the film’s screenwriter, experienced this at his middle school.
The student film is CZR Automatic Lawn Mower Ad, by Zachary Rodgers and Cameron Mirrlees.
Saturday, September 2 takes us on a musical journey through the swamps of the Louisiana Bayou, the juke joints of the Mississippi Delta, and moonshine-soaked BBQs in the North Mississippi Hill Country with the documentary film I Am The Blues. It won’t be long before you’re tapping your feet and swaying with the rhythm.
The student film is The Colpoy’s Crab, by Johnny Picket, William Cooper, Jillian Liverance, and Hayden Good.
Which brings us to the final night of MIFF and the Swedish film A Man Called Ove, nominated for an Academy Award – Best Foreign Language Film. It is based on the book by Swedish author Fredrick Backman, a New York Times bestseller. “Holm’s adaptation is a darkly funny, tragic, and ultimately heartwarming tearjerker about the life of one lonely but extraordinary man.” Entertainment Weekly.
The student film is Strawberry Escape, by Magnus Roland Marun.
