World debuts for Hot Docs

A documentary about the ways Indigenous people have shaped modern western culture and a closer look at the controversial practice of declawing cats are among the films headed to this year’s Hot Docs festival.

The newly announced Special Presentations lineup includes the world premiere of “Red Fever,” in which Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond travels across North America and Europe to explore how Indigenous cultures have been revered, romanticized and appropriated.

Also having its world premiere is “American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly,” in which “Samantha Bee” correspondent Amy Hoggart explores cat declawing, the effect it has on pets and why some regions haven’t banned it yet.

Other films making their international debuts include “Lost in the Shuffle,” which profiles

world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as he creates a new trick; and “Le Mans 55: The Unauthorized Investiga- tion,” which delves into the cat- astrophic 1955 Le Mans car race in France, where more than 80 fans were killed.

Director Sam Habib will debut “The Ride Ahead,” an expansion of his Emmy-winning short film “My Disability Roadmap,” ex- ploring a 21-year-old’s desire to start a career and find love while dealing with a disability.

The festival — which runs from April 25 to May 5 across Toronto — will also see the North American premiere of “Michel Gondry, Do It Your- self,” offering a look at the French filmmaker’s career and creative process.

Among films making their Ca- nadian premieres will be Barry Avrich’s “Born Hungry,” which tells the story of Sash Simpson, who was raised in poverty in southern India before becom- ing one of Toronto’s top chefs.