FILM LOOKS AT FAMILY, RURAL LIVING AND THOSE COLD ALBERTA WINTERS
Until First Light gives viewers ‘meditative’ climate in which to contemplate country life
Innovative Edmonton director Kyle Armstrong is showing his first feature Until First Light on Saturday at Metro Cinema, the Canadian premiere.
The screening is 7 p.m. Saturday, $13 admission at the door or online at Metro.
Shot almost exclusively with available light in locations in and around the city by the inimitable aAron munson, the film already won Best Narrative Feature at Vermont’s Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival in August.
In the film, an unnamed protagonist returns to his childhood home following his brother’s suicide. Winter arrives as he assumes responsibility for his family’s dying farm.
“A handful of films come out of Alberta every year, but not so many that tell our stories,” said Armstrong, winner of the 2013 Edmonton Film Prize. “I wanted Until First Light to give audiences a quiet, meditative space to contemplate rural life and experience, the kinds of places we know.”
The 82-minute film features an original score by Grammywinning Jim O’Rourke, formerly of Sonic Youth. The film’s script was largely improvised, and stars a number of non-actors, with local musician Darren Frank in the lead role.
“It’s a very quiet, moody, pensive film,” Armstrong said.
“I call it an existential farming movie. I don’t know how much influences come through, but heavy on my mind were the works of Alexander Sokurov, Bela Tarr, Philippe Grandrieux, Carlos Reygadas, with daily readings from Bresson’s Notes on the Cinematographer.”
Some interesting movement in the local artist-run centre scene: Michelle Schultz is moving over from dc3 Art Projects (where she’s a director) to Latitude 53 to be their interim executive director.
Schultz — who before her hard work at dc3 ran contemporary GUSFORD in Los Angeles for three years — had been involved with L53 for more than a decade, being on the gallery’s board since 2015.
“Latitude has been so important to me over the years and I’m excited to be able to lead the organization into its next phase,” she said.
Most recently, she curated the Ruth Cuthand show at dc3, Extirpate this Execrable Race, which runs through Oct. 20.
Schultz’ interim position — said to last one year — starts Oct. 1. Since March, the gallery had yet to replace former executive director Todd Janes, who steered the space though an incredible evolution for over 20 years. The search for a permanent replacement continues.
With just his acoustic guitar and a deep catalogue of thoughtful Can-con classics, Matthew Good will be at the Starlite Room next March 20, part of a 35-date cross-country tour.
The last time he came through in this pared down version (at the same venue) was 2007 and it was a hell of a show in support of Hospital Music — sort of his version of Alice Cooper’s From the Inside — full of pathos and intensity. Few can stretch a note over a backyard beer bash like this guy, with hits like Hello Time Bomb, Apparitions and Load Me Up.
Tickets for the Edmonton show at $35 including GST go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through livenation.com, charge by phone 1-877-732-1682.
Also returning to Edmonton is the hard rocking Trews, also at the Starlite Room, also on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through livenation.com. They’ll be at the downtown venue Jan. 30 and 31. The cost is $32.50 for this experience.
And while we’re here, Cirque du Soleil is bringing its first ice show — Crystal — to Rogers Place Feb. 13-17 for eight shows.
According to the organizers, “This unique arena production showcases synchronized, freestyle and extreme skating alongside circus disciplines such as swinging trapeze, aerial straps and hand to hand.”
The steampunk Kurios was a total marvel when it came through last year, and of course Cavalia was here on horseback before that — so it’ll be fascinating to see how they do this on skates.
Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday through ticketmaster.ca — though if you sign up at cirqueclub.com you can start grabbing tickets right away.
Now all they need to do is get some horses on skates for total bragging rights.
Finally, before Edmonton Expo officially opens Friday at 4 p.m., the seventh annual event is hosting a Canadian citizenship ceremony, welcoming 50 new Canadians to our country amid local Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion — they’re the good guys and gals, really!
The amazing event takes place 10 a.m. in rooms 105 and 106 at Edmonton Expo Centre at 7515 118 Ave., and is free to the public.
This is one of the best celebrity lineups in the comic and entertainment expo’s seven-year history, including two Doctor Who title actors from the modern era, David Tennant (Sunday) and Matt Smith (Saturday); Khal Drogo/Aquaman actor Jason Momoa; sometimes-Darth always Maul actor Ray Park from Star Wars; and Brent Spiner, none other than Data from various Star Trek series and films.
Unfortunately, Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff and MCU/Lord of the Rings/Star Trek reboot star Karl Urban have cancelled as celebrity guests, but the good folks at Edmonton Expo are trying to arrange replacements.
Organizers note the floor plan has changed a bit, so have a look at the map at edmontonexpo. com, where you can also buy tickets, starting at $20 for a single-day pass.
I’ve had some of the coolest experiences of my life in these halls — including chatting with Carrie Fisher about art and hanging out with Alice Cooper — and the merch halls are second to none, whether you’re looking for rare issues of Justice League or hunting for a Conan sword — which is a totally normal thing to do, OK?
Don’t miss out, don’t forget to dress up as your favourite character, and see you there all weekend!