Not without its charm, but still a big miss.
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Tag Archives: vancouver international film festival
An Appealing Journey To The Bottom Of The Glass — Blue Moon (VIFF 2025)
If you’re after some moody Linklater, pour a stiff drink and get in front of Blue Moon.
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“The way my grandma looked at it was shocking to me” — Akashi Director Mayumi Yoshida On The Generational Dilemma Of Love
Actor-turned-writer-director Mayumi Yoshida (The Man in the High Castle) wants to know what love is in Akashi, her gorgeous feature debut shot in Tokyo.
As the film plays at VIFF 2025, Mayumi spoke to ILT about taking a script from the stage to the big screen, shooting in black and white on freezing Tokyo nights, and exploring why generation after generation struggles with the idea of love.
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“It’s certainly not a sports movie” — The Track Director Ryan Sidhoo On Coming-Of-Age At 120KM Per Hour
When Vancouver filmmaker Ryan Sidhoo first travelled to the Bosnian city of Sarajevo, little did he know that he would return with a truly inspiring coming-of-age documentary, shot through the eyes of the country’s young luge team.
As the film plays at VIFF 2025, Ryan spoke to ILT about finding hope in generational trauma, discovering the beauty of Bosnian culture, and being told to get off a luge track that was not quite as abandoned as it seemed.
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A Modern Masterpiece — Anora (VIFF 2024)
VIFF 2024 played host to Sean Baker’s triumphant tale of love in a hopeless place…
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Works In Not So Mysterious Ways — Conclave (VIFF 2024)
Not quite as smart as it thinks it is, but still thoroughly entertaining…
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Neither Here Nor There — Bird (VIFF 2024)
Andrea Arnold’s new film isn’t quite sure what it wants to be…
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“He was afraid of the role” — Mongrels Director Jerome Yoo On The Immigrant Journey And Having 14 Dogs On Set
After creating a live-action sequel to Disney’s Recess, the sky was the limit for Korean-Canadian director Jerome Yoo. His debut feature, Mongrels, is a multi-layered character study of a grief-stricken Korean family as they adjust to life in 1990s rural Canada.
ILT connected with Jerome at VIFF 2024 where he talked about connecting with Korean culture, going off grid to find his lead actor, and managing a pack of well-trained dogs.
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“The stakes are so personal” — Lucky Star Director Gillian McKercher On Family Dynamics And The Thrill Of Live Poker
From the oilfields of Alberta to the director’s chair, Gillian McKercher is a filmmaker determined to stay true to her roots. Her second film, Lucky Star, follows a gambler-turned-family who is forced to return to his old ways after falling for a tax scam.
ILT sat down with Gillian at VIFF 2024 to discuss father-daughter bonds, representing Alberta on the big screen, and going all-in at the poker table.
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Seagrass – An interview with director Meredith Hama-Brown – VIFF 2023
Meredith-Hama Brown’s debut feature is a powerful exploration of family instability and destruction, set against a backdrop of “socially acceptable” racism in mid-90s British Columbia.
ILT’s Nicholas Lay sat down with Meredith at VIFF 2023 to discuss her inspiration, the role of Japanese-Canadian identity in the film, and discovering two dynamite child stars.
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In Layman's Terms... 