Results tagged “nationalfilmboardofcanada”

ART: The Stephen Bulger Gallery hosts the opening reception for a solo exhibit of photographer Scott Conarroe’s new large-format colour series, “By Rail.” Conarroe grew up in Edmonton and earned his art degrees on both the east and west coasts of Canada, giving him a pretty good foundation in landscape appreciation. His signature shots of empty infrastructure continues with this documentation of North American railways. (The exhibit is accompanied by free rail-themed movie screenings on Saturdays at the gallery’s adjacent Camera Bar, on through September 12.) Stephen Bulger Gallery (1026 Queen Street West), 5–8 p.m., FREE.

Word association time! When you think of the Cannes Film Festival, happening now on the sunny French Riviera, which of the following pops into your head: a) prestigious awards like the coveted Palme d'Or, b) celebrity-studded red-carpet events, or c) insightful online comments like "go suck a dick" and "LMFAO"? Granted, options "a" and "b" have the edge, but thanks to the National Film Board of Canada, YouTube flamers can have their piece of the film-fest pie too.

Could it be that Junior Boys and their atmospheric chill are trying to find a home in this city's summer-craving heart? Loved harder in further reaches of the globe-via-blog than in their own stomping grounds (which, if we must admit, are technically in Hamilton), the Polaris- and Grammy-nominated duo return today with Begone Dull Care, out on Domino Records.

MUSIC: With a spot on an iPod commercial and Gossip Girl, all signs point to next indie sensation for The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. So, check ‘em while it's cheap at the Wrongbar tonight. This Danish duo from Copenhagen play a pop dance mix; local synth-punk trio Styrofoam Ones opens. Wrongbar (1279 Queen Street West), 9 p.m., $16.50 advance at Soundscapes and Rotate This.

Besides the odd beer-fuelled 2 a.m. dispute about the existence of God and perhaps an undergrad course on existentialism, most of us have fairly little by way of daily exposure to philosophy. Examined Life, a film by Astra Taylor and co-produced by the National Film Board of Canada, attempts to bring philosophy out of the ivory tower and restore it to its original place at the centre of ordinary life. The documentary had its world premiere at last year's Toronto International Film Festival and is now back in Toronto for a run at the Royal Cinema. It consists of a series of conversations with relatively well-known philosophers (Cornel West, Judith Butler, Peter Singer, Slavoj Žižek, and a few others), each giving a glimpse into the kinds of questions they wrestle with. The conversations are all thoughtful without being heavy-handed: they serve as handy primers for novices to the field and offer interesting snapshots of notable personalities for more experienced students of philosophy.

ANIMATION: In honour of World Animation Day (October 28), the NFB is screening its latest series of animated shorts with the programme Get Animated! The films will be showing at the NFB both Saturday and Sunday following special clay and mixed media animation workshops for kids (ages 6–13). Other award-winning NFB animated films will be available for free on the NFB viewing stations all weekend for everyone. National Film Board of Canada (150 John Street), 1 p.m., FREE.