theBUZZ Features
Super Channel shines spotlight on indie films with substance – To Leslie, Rosie, Nitram
Super Channel offers four diverse channels – Fuse, Heart & Home, Vault, and GINX Esports TV Canada – plus, access to Super Channel On Demand where available by service provider. They’ve always had a long standing support for independent productions, with a strong focus on Canadian content. Below are three new additions to their programming schedule, each a riveting piece of reality that should be on your “must watch” list.
To Leslie stars Andrea Riseborough as Leslie, an alcoholic single mother from West Texas who wins the lottery, and subsequently squanders it while in the grips of addiction. A few short years later the money is gone and Leslie is on her own, living hard and fast at the bottom of a bottle as she runs from the world of heartbreak she left behind, while losing her son (Owen Teague), family, and friends in the process.
With her charm running out and with nowhere to go, Leslie is forced to return home to her former friends Nancy and Dutch (Allison Janney, Stephen Root). Unwelcome and unwanted by those she wronged, it’s a lonely motel clerk named Sweeney (Marc Maron) who takes a chance when no one else will. With his support, Leslie comes face to face with the consequences of her actions, a life of regret, and a second chance to make a good life for her and her son.
Directed by Michael Morris (Better Caul Saul) in his feature directorial debut and written by Ryan Binaco, this gritty but hopeful drama was inspired by true events in Binaco’s life.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW
Riseborough gives an outstanding performance as the lead character, while each of the other supporting character roles fully hold up on their own as well. This plays out as the typical down and out individual hitting rock bottom before getting back on track and turning things around for themselves. So, while heart-wrenching to watch for the most part, it is heartwarming at the end. It’s all the details in between that matter most, and Riseborough’s portrayal of a hurting alcoholic mother with no support system in place, is what makes this film a thought provoking piece on our society, and the way we look at and treat mental illness, including alcoholism. Nothing that the script was inspired by real life events, makes it that much more important and relatable. A call to check in on loved ones that maybe experiencing difficult times.
/////////////////////////////////////////
Rosie is a visibly Indigenous, English-speaking, sweet, and headstrong little girl and her mother has just died. A children’s services agent brings her to her only living relative, her Francophone aunt Frederique. ‘Fred’ doesn’t have a solid foundation on which to raise a child. She is unprepared, she’s working at an adult entertainment shop and threatened with eviction, and is at first unwilling to take on caring for her adopted sister’s young daughter.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW
This Canadian production comes off perfectly, with each character adding to the element of the story, and although most are outsiders, it comes off as none of them really are. Individuals go about their daily routines as themselves, whether non-binary street workers, or an adopted street hustler who struggles to make ends meet. This is a feel-good movie that deals with real-life issues of adoption, social services, Indigenous culture, and despair, yet it’s accomplished in a upbeat, loving manner with little negativity or hatred toward others. Melanie Bray shines as Frederique, and the young Keris Hope Hill is a starlet in the making. Constant Bernard and Alex Trahan shine on as the always happy and positive, Flo and Mo. A true tale of how chosen family is often the best family.
/////////////////////////////////////////
Nitram is an isolated young man living with his parents in Australia until he meets an eccentric heiress. What follows is a gripping portrait of nihilism and violence. Based on a true story of events leading up to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre on Tasmania, in an attempt to understand why and how the atrocity occurred.
Directed by Justin Kurzel. Starring: Caleb Landry Jones (Winner Best Actor Cannes Film Festival), Judy Davis, Anthony LaPaglia.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW
Again, another strong performance by the lead character, Caleb Landry Jones, who portrays Nitram, a derogatory nickname given to him because of his disability and not being “normal”. It’s not clear what he is suffering from, but appears to perhaps be on the autism spectrum, due to his bouts of anger brought on by frustrations. He knows he’s different and struggles daily to fit in with school, family, friends, and society in general. The story is also based on real life events that took place in Australia, and points the lens toward issues of gun control, rather than mental illness. Despite Nitram’s inability to cope within society, he was easily able to amount an arsenal of assorted guns and ammunition, after watching the news reporting on a separate massacre shooting. It appears this triggers him to do the same, and feel like he’ll finally be recognized instead of being a castoff to society. A sobering tale of how systems fail our most vulnerable.
Connect with Super Channel:
About the Author
Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.
You must be logged in to post a comment.