The Post board
A journal featuring film board community updates, reviews, essays, and news about Toronto's local film culture.
In Photos: Hart House Film Board May Monthly Meetup
Quick Review: The Northman
By Ray
(The Northman, dir.Robert Eggers, 2022)
Based on the legend of Amleth, The Northman is an epic and bloody tale with elements from the Norse Mythology about a Viking Prince who embarks on a quest of vengeance against the ones who murdered his father. The combination of Robert Eggers’s ingenious direction, the gorgeous cinematography, the powerful music scores, and excellent performances from the cast such as Alexander Skarsgård and Nicole Kidman did a masterful job of building the Viking world in the film. Known for his efforts to ensure historical accuracy in his movies, Eggers has paid great attention to historic details in The Northman as well, from the longship that Vikings use to conduct raids on villages, to armors, clothing and weapons. Similar to Eggers’s The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), The Northman features surreal imagery and a unique atmosphere. With a running time of almost two and a half hours and brutally violent action scenes, The Northman certainly isn’t for everyone and will likely disappoint moviegoers who expect a fast-paced action-packed revenge story. For people who would look past its slow pacing, this well-crafted and brilliantly executed arthouse film by Eggers would prove to be an engrossing cinematic experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Director: Robert Eggers
Writers: Sjon, Robert Eggers
Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gustav Lindh, Ethan Hawke, Williem Defoe.
TIFF’22 Review: High School
A grungy coming-of-age tale circa 1990's Calgary
By Kaitlyn Simpson
When Tegan Quin saw Railey Gilliland vlog car tour on her TikTok feed, it was like she was watching her younger self.
After much pestering by the pop musicians Tegan and Sara – followed by the promise of extensive acting classes – showrunners Laura Kittrell and Clea DuVall hired twins Railey and Seazynn Gilliland to star in their new television series, High School. The first three episode had their World Premier at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
The sold-out crowd was a charming mix of avid movie goers and, presumably, Tegan and Sara fans.
Just before the start of the screening, after introductions were made, the middle-aged man sitting next to me said he hadn’t realized High School was a television show. If I’m being honest, neither had I. But the television format worked well with the story, giving viewers more time and space to understand each character.
Adopted from a memoir of the same name, High School takes places in 1990’s suburban Calgary. It tells the story of Tegan and Sara before they were Tegan and Sara. Swapping points of view, we learn about the sisters’ tumultuous but ultimately loving dynamic; the struggle of learning (and hiding) one’s queerness in adolescence; and the inherently relatable angst of secondary school.
Watch if you like grunge music, coming-of-age tales, and young love!
Watch season one of High School on Amazon Prime.
Silent films at Revue
Laughter, suspense, and more at TSFF’ 22
By Sonia Tao
Photo: The Informer poster. Retrieved from AllMovie.
Toronto Silent Film Festival took place November 11 to 13 at Revue Cinema. The festival celebrates the best of silent films. Running the gamut from comedy to proto-noir, the experience was nothing short of delightful.
On the comedy side, I saw 1000 Laffs: Mack & Mayhem. Produced by Canadian-American producer and head of Keystone Studios, Mack Sennett, the film features five shorts: His Trysting Place, Ambrose’s First Falsehood, Do-Re-Mi Boom, Nip and Tuck, and Galloping Bungalows. Sennett is often credited as the ‘King of Comedy,’ and these shorts show his penchant for the genre.
The shorts combine lighthearted humour with subtle storytelling. They're about misunderstandings between people and the weird, laughable things that happen as a result. When Charlie Chaplin and Mack Swain meet at a restaurant, they can’t eat their meals without driving each other up a wall; when Ambrose’s wife mistakenly thinks her husband has died, the latter comes home to some strange things; when Cameo the dog plays poker, we know something is afoot! It features an eclectic cast of characters, including an organist’s monkey, Bathing Beauties, and an inordinate amount of custard pies.
Of course, I can’t forget Jordan Klapman’s roller-coaster-ride of an accompaniment. The palpable energy of his improv was heard in the staccato flurries as Chaplin and Swain got in a brawl at the park. Or as Cameo led a horde of cops down the streets of LA. It kept me on the edge of my seat — laughing!
“The shorts combine lighthearted humour with subtle storytelling.”
The festival also saw a proto-noir. The Informer — directed by Arthur Robison in 1929 — is about the political context in Ireland. Gypo (Lars Hanson), a member of an underground party, betrays his friend and fellow party member Francis (Carl Harbord). The film follows Gypo’s betrayal as he tries to redeem himself while escaping vengeance from the party with the help of his girlfriend Katie (Lya de Putti). The film’s dark aesthetic imparts a noir-like atmosphere. Looming shadows, dim alleys, and foggy streets add to the shadowy ambience. I was impressed with Hanson and de Putti’s performances, and the way they fleshed out the characters’ inner turmoil. The scene where Katie decides Gypo’s fate had me holding my breath. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any darker, another twist is revealed: I can still see de Putti’s stormy eyes brewing, minutes before she makes the decision. The film’s darkness would not be complete without Bill O’Meara’s accompaniment. The brooding chords set the pensive mood, underlying the impending tragedy. It imbues a sombreness in pivotal moments like the opening and in the last scene with Gypo.
On top of great films, the people were a joy! The festival team, volunteers, and Revue staff were friendly and helpful. Whether you’re a fan or a newcomer to silent films, be sure to check out this festival.
Toronto Silent Film Festival is running from April 14-16, 2023 at Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
Why the use of AI is Good for the Movie Business
...or is it
By Joe Li
This article was generated using GPT-3, the language model created by OpenAI. For more information with regards to this process, please see the note at the bottom of this article.
The movie industry is an ever-changing, fast-paced environment that is always looking for new ways to captivate audiences. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a tool that can be used to not only improve the filmmaking process but also create experiences that are more personalised and interactive. Here are some ways in which AI is being used in the movie industry and why it is good for business:
1. Automated scriptwriting
Writing a script is a time-consuming and often frustrating process for writers. However, AI can be used to automate this process by analysing data from past scripts and coming up with storylines and character arcs that are likely to be successful. This means that writers can spend less time on technicalities and more time on developing the emotional core of the story. Additionally, AI can help to identify plot holes and inconsistencies that might otherwise be missed.
2. Personalised recommendations
Gone are the days when customers had to wade through pages of film listings in order to find something they wanted to watch. Thanks to AI, streaming services such as Netflix are now able to offer highly personalised recommendations based on users’ watching habits. This not only makes it easier for customers to find movies they’ll enjoy, but it also encourages them to keep using the service.
3. Improved marketing
Marketing a movie can be a challenge, particularly if it is aimed at a niche audience. AI can be used to target potential customers with ads that are more likely to interest them. For example, if a customer has shown an interest in similar films in the past, they are more likely to see ads for the new film on social media or other websites. This targeted approach is not only more effective than traditional advertising methods, but it is also cheaper.
4. Enhanced CGI
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is an important part of many modern movies. However, creating realistic CGI images is a complex and time-consuming process. AI can be used to speed up this process by generating images that are close to what the final product will look like. This saves time and money as well as reducing the risk of errors. Additionally, AI can be used to create special effects that would otherwise be impossible or too expensive to produce.
5. Improved security
Movie sets can be dangerous places, particularly when filming action sequences or stunts. AI can be used to create digital doubles of actors who can then perform the risky scenes instead. This not only protects the actors but also reduces the chances of accidents happening on set. Additionally, AI can be used for crowd control during filming or premieres, helping to keep everyone safe while still allowing them to enjoy the event.
6. Better visual effects
Visual effects play a vital role in modern movies, from providing stunning scenery to creating convincing character animations. However, creating realistic visual effects is a complex and time-consuming process. AI can be used to create 3D models of objects or characters that can then be rendered realistically. This saves time and money as well as reducing the risk of errors. Additionally, AI can be used to create special effects that would otherwise be impossible or too expensive to produce.
7. More lifelike characters
One of the most impressive things about AI is its ability to create lifelike characters. This is achieved by using motion capture technology to record an actor’s movements and then applying them to a digital model. The result is a character that looks and feels real, making it perfect for use in movies. Additionally, AI can be used to create whole new species of creatures or animals, giving filmmakers even more freedom when it comes to creating their movie world.
8. Improved dialogue
Writing believable and natural-sounding dialogue is one of the hardest things for writers to do. However, AI can be used to generate realistic dialogue based on the characters and situation in a scene. This not only saves time but also ensures that the dialogue sounds more natural and believable. Additionally, AI can be used to identify errors or inconsistencies in the dialogue, which can then be corrected before the film is released.
9. Smarter subtitles
Subtitles are an important part of many movies, particularly those that are aimed at international audiences. However, creating accurate subtitles is a difficult and time-consuming task. AI can be used to automatically generate subtitles that are more accurate and consistent than those created by humans. This not only saves time but also ensures that viewers understand what is being said in the film. Additionally, AI can be used to identify errors or inconsistencies in the subtitles, which can then be corrected before the film is released.
10. Enhanced sound design
Sound design is an important part of creating a believable and immersive movie experience. However, it is also a complex and time-consuming task. AI can be used to create realistic sound effects that are more lifelike and believable than those created by humans. This not only saves time but also ensures that the sound design is of a high quality. Additionally, AI can be used to identify errors or inconsistencies in the sound design, which can then be corrected before the film is released.
AI is a powerful tool that can be used to improve the filmmaking process and create better movie experiences. From automated scriptwriting to enhanced sound design, AI is making its mark on the movie industry.
GPT-3 is a language model currently being developed by OpenAI. It uses machine learning to create text that can be regarded as being very close to what actual human beings would create. To create this article using GPT-3, I typed in the prompt: “Write a 900 word article on why AI is good for the movie industry.” I generated a few different articles based on this particular prompt, some of higher quality than others in terms of content (in terms of whether or not the information provided in those articles was actually accurate or misleading). I chose to go with this particular article that it generated without making any additional edits to the actual body of the text itself, besides adding the pictures, title and this note to provide additional context for what is going on.