First Run Films

Posted on: 15 November 2008 by Thom Ernst

So did you enjoy FAHRENHEIT 451? Seeing it again on Saturday Night at the Movies reminded me just how unfortunate it is that Frank Darabont's take on the story fell through. As much as I like Truffaut, I've always found his take on Bradbury's novel to be lacking in wit, adventure and suspense. Bradbury's story has a wonderful sense of danger and foreboding that Truffaut seems to purposefully avoid. Darabont's version, according to our interview with Bradbury, promised a more faithful interpretation, including the infamous robotic attack dogs. After seeing THE MIST, I had more than enough faith that if anyone could pull it off, Darabont could. But now I hear that that's not going to happen. Too bad. We need more movies with robotic attack dogs in them. We need another interpretation of FAHRENHEIT 451

Those of you with children moving towards their preteen years might remember a great TVO Kids Host, Rekha Shah. Rekha was around TVO when I was beginning here as SNAM's researcher so she has an appreciation for TVO, our audience, and the things we try to achieve. Eventually Rekha moved on from TVO kids to a new job and to start her own family. The next time I meet Rekha she's the film distributor for Alliance (then Alliance-Atlantis). It was then that Rekha introduced me to a wonderful, small, and enchanting movie called DEAR FRANKIE. I'm not sure I would have ever seen the film otherwise if not for Rekha. The film grabbed me from it's opening scene and held me through to the last frame. As soon as it ended, I knew that this was a movie for SNAM.

Some may already know the film. It had a small theatrical release that earned an appreciative audience. Most people will be seeing it on TVO for the first time. We don't get a lot of first runs on SNAM, but this weekend there's not just one but two.

Rekha's journey has once again taken her to new places but the folks at Alliance, Naveen and Audrey are equally dedicated to introducing the same type of new movie to me and the our audience.

The second feature is THE KING, and we have our friends at Entertainment One to thank for that. I'm guessing a lot haven't heard of this film either. You could not find two more opposite films in style and tone than DEAR FRANKIE and THE KING.

DEAR FRANKIE is all charm and warmth, a movie you can comfortably watch with your entire family. Whereas THE KING is liable to make just about everyone uncomfortable (but I think in a very good way). Both films deal with one essential theme, what happens when we lie to or deceive our children. DEAR FRANKIE proposes deceit as a way of protecting a child, while THE KING uses deceit to protect the adult. The results of these deceits are equally as opposing as the reasons for committing them. There. I've already told you too much.

SNAM has a friend, a viewer, who calls us every so often. His name is Harry and not only does he know film, but he knows the history of SNAM and our database better then we do sometimes. Harry called the other day to say he doesn't know either film. That's a big statement because Harry use to work at a local theatre chain running the projectors. He's seen a lot of movies. I know I'm going to hear from Harry after this weekend's program. He's going to let me know what he thinks - and I'm hoping he's open to them. But if not, I know that with Harry I can at least get the conversation going. And really, isn't that what SNAM is about? We don't want to just simply present a film - anyone can do that - what we do is present you with a topic for conversation.

So with these two films we invited child psychologist and author Sara Dimerman and critic Denis Seguin to chime in on the theme of "lying to children." But the discussion shouldn't end when the interviews are over. The discussion should continue with your own family, with your children, or even through commenting on this blog.

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