With fall suddenly in the air, and the change of seasons upon us, who can’t help but feel a little nostalgic? As we move from summer to autumn, and we yearn for longer days and warmer weather, we have curated a collection of films that highlight this wistful feeling. Our #Nostalgia collection includes titles from by gone eras, and contemporary films that take us back to a places, times and experiences of the past.
NOSTALGIA
P4W: PRISON FOR WOMEN (1981)
In this groundbreaking documentary, newly restored in 4K, Canadian filmmakers Janis Cole and Holly Dale shed light on the lives of five women living in what was, at the time, the only prison for women in Canada. An intimate and elucidating film, P4W: PRISON FOR WOMEN captures the experiences, relationships and feelings of incarcerated women in 1980’s Canada with empathy, poignancy and respect.
HOOKERS ON DAVIE (1984)
HOOKERS ON DAVIE, Janis Cole and Holly Dale’s follow up to 1981’s P4W: PRISON FOR WOMEN, sees the Canadian filmmakers tackling another challenging subject, sex work. Filmed on Davie Street in Vancouver’s West End, this deeply empathetic film, which has been restored in 4K, presents a marginalized group - sex workers - and their narratives in a way that had never been done before, and that remains entirely singular and unique to this day.
CANNIBAL GIRLS (1973)
Before there was SCHITT’S CREEK and GHOSTBUSTERS, there was CANNIBAL GIRLS. In this forgotten gem of Canadian horror directed by Hollywood heavy weight Ivan Reitman and starring comedic icon Eugene Levy, a couple check into a bed and breakfast run by flesh eating women intent on devouring their guests. This schlocky slice of Canadiana will make you laugh, cringe, and yearn for the days of SCTV.
NO SAD SONGS (1985)
n an intermingling of painful personal narratives and musical and theatrical performances, Canadian director Nik Sheehan’s 1985 documentary NO SAD SONGS explores the global AIDS pandemic with an unflinching lens. This film provides invaluable insight into the personal experiences of those afflicted by AIDS, and forces viewers to confront the complex impacts of the illness.
CREEM (2019)
In the 1970’s there was only one true rock n roll magazine….CREEM. This doc follows the rise of the eponymous magazine from it’s humble beginnings in post-riot Detroit to its status as one of the 70’s most quintessential rock publications. This star studded and endearing doc will take you back to the golden era of rock n roll.
GOOD VIBRATIONS (2012)
When Terri Hooley opened a record store in 1970’s Belfast, Ireland was in the midst of violent social and political upheaval. This charming biopic tells the story of how Terry’s shop and the namesake of the film, GOOD VIBRATIONS, became a focal point of the UK punk movement through out the 70’s.
TINY TIM: KING FOR A DAY (2020)
Heralded by music legends like Bob Dylan and Lady Gaga, Tiny Tim was an iconoclast of the 60’s and 70’s music scene, as well known for his numerous hits as his unique performance persona. TINY TIM: KING FOR A DAY is a personal doc that illuminates the story of one of the most influential and easily forgotten music icons of the last 5 decades.
FOR THE WHALES (1989)
This one of a kind documentary from Canadian filmmaker Larry Weinstein acts as a tribute of sorts to one of the most endangered species on the planet: whales. Featuring performances and discussions with some of the most influential artists of the 1980’s including John Cage, Margaret Atwood and Bill Reid, FOR THE WHALES is a documentary that provides a snapshot into the cultural and ecological discourse of the late 20th century.
THE GREY FOX (1982)
Originally released in 1982, this 4K restoration of THE GREY FOX is a stunning example of the western genre films of yore. Based on the true story of Bill Miner, a former stage coach robber who, after serving 30 years in prison, quickly adapts to the modernizing world by robbing trains, and going on the lam in British Columbia.
MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED! (2010)
From the 1960’s through the 1990’s the Philippines became an unexpected production hub for low-budget horror films. The uproarious doc MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED! relays the stories of the films, filmmakers, and actors that found themselves at the center of one of the wildest periods of B-Movie history.
THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND (2002)
An illuminating and fascinating documentary on the US anti-war movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s, THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND explores the formations and eventual dissolution of the film’s namesake, one of the most discussed groups of political activists in the history of the United States.
PASSENGERS OF THE NIGHT (2022)
Paris, 1981. Elisabeth, a newly divorced mother of two is hired by a late-night radio show, where she connects with a down-and-out young woman who she decides takes under her wing. PASSENGERS OF THE NIGHT transports viewers to a Paris of the past, while addressing the challenges of negotiating the past, present, and memory.
FWL’S # NOSTALGIA COLLECTION
Find out where to watch all of the titles in our #NOSTALGIA collection
About Films We Like
Founded by award-winning documentary filmmaker Ron Mann (Grass, Comic Book Confidential, Carmine Street Guitars) Films We Like is a boutique distributor of documentary, independent, and international films in Canada. Recent releases include Anonymous Club, Hit the Road and the Academy Award winning film Drive My Car by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
A newly divorced woman must navigate life in early 80’s Paris
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