Inside Vancouver

The Rules of the Game at Vancity Theatre May 14

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on May 13, 2013

Rules of the Game. Image courtesy Vancity Theatre.

Once a month, Vancity Theatre invites a distinguished guest to present his/her favourite film. After the screening, audiences and guests have the opportunity to discuss the movie over drinks and snacks in the lounge.

On Tuesday, May 14, the spotlight is on The Rules of the Game. Dr. Ron Burnett, President and Vice Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, will present the 1939 Jean Renoir film, and discuss it’s place in film history, as well as why it’s one of his favourites.

The Rules of the Game has been described as “a bittersweet masterpiece” of romance, class, manners and hypocrisy on the eve of World War II. In it, André, a French aviation hero, is in love with Christine, who is married to wealthy aristocrat Robert. Robert has a mistress, whom he invites to a weekend hunting party at his estate, along with André. Renoir himself plays Andre’s friend Octave. Below stairs, the servants are also playing musical beds.

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The Rules of the Game at Vancity Theatre May 14

DOXA Documentary Film Festival May 3 – 12

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on April 23, 2013

Image from The Mechanical Bride. Photo courtesy DOXA.

Now in its 12th year, DOXA is one of Canada’s leading documentary film festivals. As usual, the fest features a blend of politically driven, socially conscious flicks as well as some that are meant to be purely entertaining.

This year’s spotlight films include a locally-made film about Occupy Wall Street, a doc that uncovers a heretofore unearthed corner of the Beatles mythos, and some experimental Vancouver cinema from the ’60s and ’70s.

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DOXA Documentary Film Festival May 3 – 12

Fan Expo Vancouver April 20 – 21

by Shawn Conner in Events on April 17, 2013

Batman, Catwoman and Black Canary at Vancouver Fan Expo 2012. Photo credit: Shawn Conner.

“Geeks” is too derogatory and “nerds” is so passe. “Fan” is as good a term as any, although the people coming out to Vancouver’s second Fan Expo (at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place) might more accurately be called “pop culture vultures.” They love (and collect) their fave pop culture media and titles, particular when it comes to genre TV and movies, along with comics, games, manga and anime.

But just about anyone who’s ever seen an episode of a Star Trek series or picked up a comic book can enjoy a Fan Expo. Taking its cue from the multi-media soiree that is the San Diego Comic-Con, Fan Expo brings together folks of all stripes to mix and mingle. Many of them dress up for the occasion as their favourite character/characters, making Fan Expo Vancouver possibly the best people-watching experience this side of Burning Man. And there’s a ton of celebrity guests, too.

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Fan Expo Vancouver April 20 – 21

Vancouver Serbian Film Festival March 12 – March 15

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on March 11, 2013

Ginger. Photo courtesy Vancouver Serbian Film Festival.

Some of the latest cinema from the Balkans comes to the 6th annual Vancouver Serbian Film Festival. The Festival runs March 12 to March 15, 2013 at Collingwood Cinemas, 3215 Kingsway.

This year’s highlights include a drama about the aftermath of a suicide and two documentaries – one about one of the greatest basketball players to ever come out of Europe, the other about a film with an unlikely popularity in China.

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Vancouver Serbian Film Festival March 12 – March 15

Crazy8s Gala and After-Party this Saturday, Feb 23

by Shawn Conner in Events on February 19, 2013

Nicola Anderson in a scene from “When I Saw You,” directed by Jane Hancock. Shot Feb 8-10, 2013 in Vancouver and Burnaby, B.C. Photo credit: Izaiah Kane

Take six local filmmakers, give them eight days to make a short film, and you get Crazy8s, a Vancouver film-making competition now in its 14th year.

Each year, the entries for the latest Crazy8s are screened at a gala. This year, there are some dynamite-looking entries that should appeal to film buffs on the watch for new talent and, possibly, the next Seth Rogen.

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Crazy8s Gala and After-Party this Saturday, Feb 23