Canadian filmmakers Matt Johnson and Kazik Radwanski believe that Canadian films showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival are not taking enough risks and lack creativity. Their film “Matt and Mara” stars Johnson as a novelist who reenters the life of his ex, played by Deragh Campbell. The film was made without a formal script, with actors improvising the dialogue and story during filming. Johnson, known for directing “BlackBerry,” wants Canadian filmmakers to push creative boundaries and take more risks in their work.
Radwanski and Johnson are considered key figures in the new wave of Canadian cinema, with both having won Toronto Film Critics Awards for their past work. However, they argue that this year’s TIFF lacks young Canadian filmmakers willing to break new creative ground. Johnson believes that Canadian films are often treated with “kid gloves” by critics and the festival, and that many Canadian films selected for TIFF are mediocre. He hopes to see Canadian filmmakers be more daring and produce more innovative work.
The duo expressed their disappointment in the lack of daring and creativity in Canadian films at TIFF, stating that they believe the festival programs too many Canadian films and that the ones selected are often uninspired. While Johnson acknowledges that he doesn’t have a clear solution to this issue, he hopes to see Canadian filmmakers take more risks and produce more unconventional and daring work. Radwanski and Johnson are advocates for pushing creative boundaries and believe that Canadian cinema can benefit from a more adventurous approach.
Despite their criticisms, Radwanski and Johnson are recognized for their own groundbreaking work in Canadian cinema. They have each received recognition from the Toronto Film Critics Awards for their past projects, with Radwanski winning in 2020 for “Anne at 13,000 ft.” and Johnson in 2023 for “BlackBerry.” Their film “Matt and Mara” showcases their commitment to challenging traditional filmmaking techniques and exploring new creative territory through improvised storytelling and organic development of the narrative.
As the Toronto International Film Festival continues, Radwanski and Johnson hope to see a shift towards more daring and innovative Canadian cinema. They believe that Canadian filmmakers should be encouraged to take more risks and push creative boundaries in order to produce exciting and groundbreaking work. Despite their concerns about the current state of Canadian cinema, they remain optimistic about the potential for growth and evolution within the industry. The duo’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries and exploring new storytelling techniques serves as a testament to their belief in the power of daring and unconventional filmmaking.
