If you’ve ever worked or volunteered in the film industry, or witnessed it behind the scenes, you’ll know it’s a tough gig. From concept to capture, it takes some very motivated souls to see a film project of any size through to the end. There’s the creative challenge of making an original piece of work that people are actually going to watch. There’s the long and often arduous funding process, where filmmakers petition investors and sponsors or apply for government grants for the money to actually get the project off the ground. Then there’s the tedious process of planning and pre-production; securing filming locations and permits, booking talent and making sure film crews can safely do their jobs in the field. After the footage is captured, it may seem like the hard part is over, but that’s when the post-production shifts into high gear with editing, colour grading, after effects and often re-edits. Then, near the end, you have to market and promote, which—you guessed it—takes lots of time, money and energy to make sure people actually see the film.
The good news is filmmakers are some of the most motivated souls in the visual arts. They embrace the above challenges wholeheartedly, every project making them a little bit wiser to the practical production and logistical tasks, all while their creativity and craft grows.
I’ve never made anything more complex than a ski expedition video for YouTube, but having worked with production houses and some very talented directors, I have nothing but the highest respect for filmmakers who want to bring their creative vision to life through motion picture.
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has been showcasing the work of independent and burgeoning Canadian film talent for more than 20 years. Like many Whistler locals, I haven’t taken nearly as much advantage as I should of this artistic festival coming to our doorstep. Whether it was the steady trickle of public relations emails or a renewed curiosity in the festival’s programming this year, I decided to set time aside for watching some quality Canadian independent films. Not ski films or the Red Bull-fuelled action sports material we always seem to be awash with. But real stories and documentaries about real people and the difference they hope to make in the world. The following are the films that caught my attention this year.
Do you remember the Fairy Creek blockades against old-growth logging in 2020 and 2021? In the documentary Fairy Creek, director Jen Muranetz documents the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history, one that made international headlines and garnered support from all over the world. The film is a visceral display of contemporary environmental activism and the lengths activists are willing to go to protect British Columbia’s last old-growth forests. I only ever saw social media posts and read mainstream news stories on the subject, so I’m looking forward to seeing what really went on behind the scenes.
Resident Orca dives into a fight for survival and freedom for Lolita, an orca captured 53 years ago and currently performing for the entertainment of crowds in the smallest killer whale tank in North America. The quest to free Lolita triggers an unlikely partnership between Indigenous matriarchs, a billionaire philanthropist, killer whale experts, and the aquarium’s new owner.
On the fiction side, if you’re a fan of classic Kurosawa films, or you just really enjoyed watching the series Shōgun this year, WFF is hosting the Canadian premiere of Bushido. It’s a story of an exiled ronin falsely accused by an old clan acquaintance, forcing him to once again take up his sword in pursuit of justice. Described as a “John Wick meets Shōgun period drama that redefines the samurai genre,” this film will definitely show some heads rolling.
For something a bit more to the tune of our familiar mountain film festivals, Mountain Culture Shorts: Bold Pursuits From Sky to Ice will screen four short films documenting kayakers sending it off ice waterfalls in Svalbard, a cold weather aerialist exploring acrobatics in the Canadian Rockies, a base jumper snowboarding off Goat Mountain near Squamish and pro skier and stuntman Rory Bushfield barefoot waterskiing behind his airplane.
The closest cinema we have now is in West Vancouver, so it’s no surprise Whistler locals don’t get out to the movies much. But this week we all have more quality films than we know what to do with, so don’t just stay at home and watch Netflix after skiing. There are film events, panels and an opportunity to meet and talk with the top film talent we have in town this week. And if you’re an industry insider or just want to get to know more about how to make successful films in 2024, you’ll want to check out the WFF Content Summit. Ever wanted to learn how to be a showrunner? Get yourself along to these sessions and learn from the best.
Dec. 8 is the final day of WFF. For a full list of showtimes, head to whistlerfilmfestival.com/browse/2024.
Vince Shuley is not missing out on the WFF this year. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email [email protected] or Instagram @whis_vince.
