Tony Wohlfarth
The Fabelmans
Steven Spielberg is one of Hollywood’s most iconic film directors. His latest film, The Fabelmans is a loosely biographical biopic about growing up in Ohio, Phoenix, and California.
Sammy (Sam) Fabelman is the oldest son of Burt (Paul Dano) and Mitzi (Michelle Williams). His extended family, including Uncle Bennie (Seth Rogen), move from the east coast when Burt’s career as an engineer takes flight. Much of the film is about Sammy’s young life as a budding filmmaker, recording precious moments in the life of his family.
I found the viral antisemitism he experienced overwhelming. The worst of it was in Northern California. I also found the story-line focused almost exclusively on Sam’s relationship with his parents, as his sisters played more of a background role. The scene of the young Sam dancing through the CBS lot in Hollywood after he was hired was also illuminating.
The Fabelmans won two Golden Globe Awards – for best picture and best director – and was nominated for best actress (Williams), best screenplay, and best score. At the 95th Academy Awards in March, the film will no doubt be in the mix.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Fans of stop-motion animated films will be thrilled to know a new version of Pinocchio is currently streaming on Netflix. Based on the 1883 novel by Carlo Collodi, this film is closer to the original serial publication than the Disney version.
Pinocchio takes its audience on a perilous journey. Geppetto is a woodcarver who loses his only son in a tragic accident. He carves Pinocchio after a night of drowning his sorrows. Set in Tuscany during World War II, the duo survives a difficult sea journey, being swallowed by a whale, and an encounter with Mussolini.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio delivers with an impressive list of voice-over talent, including Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett.
The film (1h56m) is currently streaming via Netflix. The film is rated PG: adults can show it to children with accompaniment. While the subject matter is largely whimsical, the slow creep of fascism hovers in the background, adding an extra layer of context for those who are interested in that era.
It was awarded best animated film at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, as well as being nominated for best original score by Alexandre Desplat, and best song.
Del Toro’s career as a filmmaker is as celebrated as Spielberg’s. He directed Pan’s Labyrinth in 1996, The Devil’s Backbone in 2001 and The Shape of Water in 2017.
To learn more about how the film was made and how it relates to his own life growing up in Mexico, I recommend watching this CBC interview (seven minutes): www.cbc.ca/player/play/2150755907733
What’s new from the NFB?
Tanya Tagaq is a 47-year-old Inuit throat singer from Cambridge Bay in Nunavut. Ever Deadly is an illuminating portrait of the artist co-directed by Chelsea McMullan.
Ever Deadly opens with a stunning seven-minute performance with Tagaq and Laakkuluk Williams Bathory throat singing. The scene is filmed near Cambridge Bay. Much of the film features a live performance by Tagaq, accompanied by The Element Choir. Tagaq’s artistry is on display, as is her passion for the North. She talks about living off the land, the legacy of residential schools, and her community being relocated.
The running time is 1h30m. Ever Deadly is screening at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau) on January 22 and 23. See bytowne.ca/schedule/
National Arts Centre (1 Elgin)
In January and early February, the NAC is alive with an abundance of live music:
- Jan. 20: Nick Schofield (ambient music);
- Jan. 21: Polky (Eastern European music);
- Jan. 24: Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango;
- Jan. 28: The Sheepdogs;
- Jan. 28: Ariane Racicot (jazz);
- Jan. 29: The Beatles: Abbey Road;
- Jan. 31: The Iris Trio (classical/jazz response to the climate crisis);
- Feb. 4: Alex Cuba (Latin);
- Feb. 9: Great Gatsby!;
- Feb. 10: Carine au Micro;
- Feb. 18 (afternoon): Ottawa bassist/vocalist Angelique Francis.
More info and tickets: nac-cna.ca
Freedom! The Spirit and Legacy of Black Music
This tribute to Black culture was presented at the Stratford Festival last summer. The cast of 10 Black performers and musicians, including creator and director Beau Dixon, are restaging it at the Centrepointe Theatre on February 9 as part of an Ontario tour. The cabaret of 23 songs and readings showcases the spirit and legacy of Black music. More info: meridiancentrepointe.com/en/freedom
ABBAMANIA
ABBAMANIA recreates the Swedish group live in concert. The first performance is at Centrepointe Theatre on February 17 (meridiancentrepointe.com/en), followed by an evening and a matinee performance on the 18th and 19th at the Shenkman Arts Centre (www.shenkmanarts.ca).
Introducing the Undercurrents Festival
From February 8 to 18, the Ottawa Fringe Festival is holding its Undercurrents Festival which brings new theatre productions to Ottawa. For a complete listing of venues and times, check out: undercurrentsfestival.ca
Arts Court Theatre (2 Daly)
The Digital Arts Resource Centre will present a free screening of works created by its members in the last year on January 26 at 7 p.m. in the Arts Court Theatre and online. Artists will be in attendance to participate in a brief Q&A with the audience following the in-person screening. To register: www.eventbrite.ca/e/resolution-2023-tickets-489921708017
Queen Street Fare (170 Queen)
On January 21, you can catch a tribute to the music of the Spice Girls.
In jazz nights, Suzie Q performs with Sean Duhaime on February 15, and Ottawa’s Peter Woods is back on February 22 with live Mardi Gras music. Info: queenstfare.ca/happening
Live on Elgin (220 Elgin)
On Jan. 29, jazz fans are invited to the CD launch party for Ottawa jazz guitarist Garrett Warner.
Tickets: www.liveonelgin.com/collections/shows/products/garrett-warner
Out of Town
The Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West in Toronto) has an intriguing exhibition underway from the private collection of the late Leonard Cohen. Cohen died in 2016 and now his instruments, notebooks, photos, and letters are on display through April 10. See www.ago.ca for more information.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (1380 Sherbrooke Street in Montreal) has two outstanding art exhibitions currently on display. Jean-Michel Basquiat was an important painter influenced by early hip-hop music culture. A multimedia exhibit examining the role of music in his work is on display until February 19. To understand his brilliance, I recommend viewing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX02QQXfb_o
The MMFA also has a retrospective of the black and white photography of Diane Arbus until January 29. The 90+ photos in the exhibit (in cooperation with the AGO) are from 1956 to 1971, and include many from her less-known early career.
Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film and entertainment writer. He visited the MMFA as a guest and is currently covering the Sundance Film Festival.