2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (2025)

    DirectorLowell Dean

    Year2024

    Run Time91min

    GenreHorror, Romance, Thriller

    2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (1)

    While fleeing to a safe refuge during a zombie apocalypse, Ethan (Smith) suffers an accident and is left suffering with amnesia and mysteriously separated from his girlfriend. When he meets Mae (Moss), a weary survivalist, she offers to help him on his quest to find her, even as their situation becomes increasingly perilous.

    A brilliant blend of romance and horror, Die Alone is a refreshing take on the zombie genre with a heartfelt message at its core.

    “This isn’t just a zombie film; it’s a haunting exploration of love, loss, and what it means to hold on when everything else falls apart.” – Thom Ernst, Original Cin

    Director

    Lowell Dean

    Writer

    Lowell Dean

    Cast

    Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Frank Grillo

    Producers

    Kevin DeWalt, Danielle Masters, Benjamin DeWalt

    Genres

    Horror, Romance, Thriller

    Interest

    Strong Female Leads

    Original Language

    English

    Language Version

    EN CC

    Canadian Distributor

    Quiver Distribution

    Related Films
    Fido2006
    Les affamés (Ravenous)2017
    ARQ2016
    Jusqu'au déclin (The Decline)2020

    All Films

    DirectorCharles-Olivier Michaud

    Year2023

    Run Time116min

    GenreDrama

    2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (6)

    A family of Vietnamese refugees settles in Montreal in the hopes of starting a new life, charting successes and setbacks as they adapt to their new country. The film weaves together their experiences in Canada with a series of flashbacks to their comfortable life in Vietnam, the political upheaval that forced them to flee, and their perilous journey across the Pacific.

    Brilliantly adapted from Kim Thúy’s Governor General Award-winning novel of the same name, this compassionate story of resilience in the face of adversity is uplifting and deeply moving.

    “An exceptional and beautiful film.” – Isobel Grieve, Montréal Guardian

    Director

    Charles-Olivier Michaud

    Charles-Olivier Michaud is a director, writer, and producer from Saint-Romuald, Quebec. His directing credits include 4 Minute Mile, On the Beat, and Snow & Ashes, which have won awards from the Slamdance Film Festival and the Washington DC Independent Film Festival. His most recent directorial work,Ru, had its world premiere at TIFF 2023 and was nominated for nine Canadian Screen Awards.

    Writers

    Kim Thúy, Charles-Olivier Michaud, Jacques Davidts

    Cast

    Chloé Djandji, Jean Bui, Chantal Thuy

    Producers

    André Dupuy, Marie-Alexandra Forget

    Genre

    Drama

    Interests

    BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Literary Adaptation, Newcomer Stories

    Original Languages

    French, Other Language

    Language Versions

    EN Subtitles, FR CC

    Canadian Distributor

    Immina Films

    Related Films
    Monsieur Lazhar2011
    Antigone2019
    Viking2022
    Jeune Juliette (Young Juliet)2019

    All Films

    • Own Voice

    DirectorStephen Dunn

    Year2015

    Run Time90min

    GenreDrama

    2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (11)

    The coming-of-age story gets an imaginative makeover with Stephen Dunn’s debut feature, which mixes affecting drama with whimsical fantasy to tell the story of high school senior Oscar (Connor Jessup), a young man who is struggling with his identity and a turbulent volatile home life with his increasingly volatile father.

    Oscar finds an escape from his troubled home life in a passion for special effects and fantasy makeup that he shares with his best friend Gemma (Sofia Banzhaf) and hopes to pursue in college. At home, he creates a different fantasy world, sharing a close bond with the pet hamster (voiced by Isabella Rosellini) who has talked to him since his childhood.

    When Oscar meets the cool, handsome Wilder (Aliocha Schneider), he finally starts coming to terms with his own sexuality, which he has repressed since witnessing a terrible act of homophobic violence as a child.

    Closet Monster premiered at the Toronto International FIlm Festival, winning the award for Best Canadian Feature Film and was named one of Canada’s Top Ten films of 2015.

    Director

    Stephen Dunn

    Writer

    Stephen Dunn

    Cast

    Connor Jessup, Isabella Rossellini, Aaron Abrams, Aliocha Schneider, Joanne Kelly

    Producers

    Fraser Ash, Kevin Krikst, Edward J. Martin

    Genre

    Drama

    Interests

    Arts and Culture, Discrimination, Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+

    Original Language

    English

    Canadian Distributor

    Elevation Pictures

    Related Films
    Black Conflux2019
    Own VoiceThe Hanging Garden1997
    C.R.A.Z.Y.2005

    All Films

    • 2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (16)

    DirectorJohn N. Smith

    Year1987

    Run Time88min

    GenreDrama

    2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (17)

    Tony, a 16-year-old high school dropout, is desperate to escape from his home life and his struggling single mother. After this rebel without a cause gets into criminal trouble, he is forced to spend time in juvenile detention, where an inspiring teacher desperately tries to get through to him.

    Captured in the raw, cinema-verité style in a way that only NFB films of this era can, this moving and realistic coming-of-age story features a truly remarkable performance from Jason St. Amour, and a timeless message of hope that resonates now more than ever.

    Director

    John N. Smith

    Smith’s credits include award-winning TV docudramas such as The Boys of St. Vincent, Dieppe and Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, as well as numerous feature films, including Dangerous Minds, A Cool Dry Place, Geraldine’s Fortune and Love & Savagery among others. Sitting in Limbo won the Best Canadian Feature Film award at TIFF 1986.

    Writers

    Sally Bochner, Sam Grana

    Cast

    Jason St. Amour

    Producers

    John N. Smith, Sam Grana

    Genre

    Drama

    Interests

    Classics, Family Relationships

    Original Language

    English

    Canadian Distributor

    National Film Board (NFB)

    Related Films
    The Big Snit1983
    Jésus de Montréal (Jesus of Montreal)1989
    Hunger1973
    Face-off1971

    All Films

      DirectorPascal Plante

      Year2020

      Run Time107min

      GenreDrama

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (22)

      At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Nadia achieves her dream of winning an Olympic medal, marking the peak of her athletic career – and its end. As she navigates the aftermath with her fellow athletes, Nadia goes on an inspiring journey of self-discovery, while contemplating what lies ahead as she comes to the end of this phase of her life.

      Based on director Pascale Plante’s own competitive swimming career, and also featuring Olympic swimmer Katherine Savard in the lead role, this stunning drama perfectly captures an experience that awaits all athletes in a uniquely realistic way.

      Nadia, Butterfly takes the gold.” – Chris Knight, The National Post

      Director

      Pascal Plante

      Writer

      Pascal Plante

      Cast

      Ariane Mainville, Katerine Savard, Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Hilary Caldwell

      Producer

      Dominique Dussault

      Genre

      Drama

      Interests

      Sports, Strong Female Leads

      Original Language

      French

      Language Version

      EN Subtitles

      Canadian Distributor

      Nemesis Films Productions

      Related Films
      Sarah préfère la course (Sarah Prefers to Run)2013
      1:542016
      Les barbares de la Malbaie2019
      La petite reine (Downfall of a Champion)2014

      All Films

      • Own Voice

      DirectorJeff Barnaby (Mi’qmaw)

      Year2013

      Run Time88min

      GenreDrama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (27)

      It’s 1976 on the Red Crow Mi’kmaw reserve, and 15-year-old Aila (Jacobs) is the weed princess of her community. Hustling drugs with her uncle Burner, she sells enough dope to pay a “truancy tax” to Popper, the sadistic “Indian agent” who runs St. Dymphna’s Residential School.

      It’s a tough life, but she’s making it work. That is, until the precarious balance of her world is threatened by her father’s return from prison and the theft of her drug money.

      Part fable, part small-town drama, Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a richly imaginative and striking drama about growing up during a very dark time in Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people.

      “A savvy [Indigenous] genre film with a strong, beautiful and ingenious heroine whose courage helps right an injustice.” — Liam Lacey, The Globe and Mail

      Director

      Jeff Barnaby (Mi’qmaw)

      Writer

      Jeff Barnaby (Mi’qmaw)

      Cast

      Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), Glen Gould (Mi’qmaw), Brandon Oakes (Mohawk), Roseanne Supernault (Cree/Métis)

      Producers

      Aisling Chin-Yee, John Christou, Justine Whyte

      Genres

      Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

      Interests

      BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker

      Original Language

      English

      Canadian Distributor

      eOne

      Related Films
      Own VoiceBlood Quantum2019
      Own VoiceL'Inhumain (The Inhuman)2022
      Own VoiceSlash/Back2022
      Own VoiceNight Raiders2021

      All Films

      DirectorAtom Egoyan

      Year1997

      Run Time111min

      GenreDrama

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (32)

      A lawyer (Holm), pursued by concerns of losing a daughter to drugs, comes to a Canadian town where 20 children have died in a school bus accident. He wants the parents to sue to make those at fault pay. Told partly in flashbacks that dramatize the days leading up to the accident, this heart-wrenching story follows the lawyer from family to family as he coaxes each to join the lawsuit.

      As momentum for the case builds, he finds himself squaring off against the lone survivor of the accident (Polley), battling against the power of long-held family secrets. Based on the bestselling novel by Russell Banks, this shattering film won eight Genie Awards and garnered two Oscar nominations for Egoyan.

      “Cuts to the bone and stays there long after its end credits have finished rolling.” — Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

      Director

      Atom Egoyan

      Egoyan received the Governor General’s award in 2015 for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. He was the first-ever Canadian director to earn two Oscar nominations (for The Sweet Hereafter). His award-winning films include Exotica, Ararat and The Captive. His most recent film, Guest of Honour, premiered at TIFF 2019.

      Writer

      Atom Egoyan

      Cast

      Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood, Arsinée Khanjian, Tom McCamus

      Producers

      Atom Egoyan, Camelia Frieberg, Robert Lantos, Andras Hamori

      Genre

      Drama

      Interests

      Classics, Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads

      Original Language

      English

      Language Version

      EN CC

      Canadian Distributor

      eOne

      Related Films
      Remember2015
      The Red Violin1998
      Mon oncle Antoine (My Uncle Antoine)1971
      White Lie2019

      All Films

      • Own Voice

      DirectorDeepa Mehta

      Year2005

      Run Time114min

      GenreDrama

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (37)

      Set in India during the rise of Mahatma Gandhi, Water recounts the story of Chuyia (Kariyawasam), a child bride. When her husband dies suddenly, Chuyia is forced to live in an ashram for Hindu widows, essentially cut off from society.

      Fortunately, she finds friends in the beautiful Kilyani (Ray) and in the forward-thinking Narayan (Abraham). With their help, Chuyia attempts to escape the confines of her existence. Boasting lush visuals, Water could easily be a bleak story of deprivation and loss, but in Mehta’s gentle hands, it becomes one charged with hope and optimism.

      Water was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

      Director

      Deepa Mehta

      Mehta gained acclaim for her trilogy, Fire, Earth and the Oscar-nominated Water. Her adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children was nominated for eight CSAs. She has also directed Bollywood/Hollywood, Beeba Boys, Anatomy of Violence, and many others. Her most recent film Funny Boy has also won multiple awards, including the CSA for best direction. Most recently, she directed an episode of the series Yellowjackets. She has numerous projects in development as a writer, director and producer.

      Writer

      Deepa Mehta

      Cast

      Sarala Kariyawasam, Lisa Ray, John Abraham, Seema Biswas

      Producers

      David Hamilton, Mark Burton, Ajay Virmani, Doug Mankoff

      Genre

      Drama

      Interests

      Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads

      Original Language

      Other Language

      Language Versions

      EN Subtitles, FR Dub

      Canadian Distributor

      Mongrel Media

      Related Films
      Funny Boy2020
      Such a Long Journey1998
      Own VoiceBollywood/Hollywood2002

      All Films

      • Own Voice

      DirectorClement Virgo

      Year1995

      Run Time89min

      GenreDrama

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (41)

      Writer-director Clement Virgo’s groundbreaking debut feature is a vivid drama about three people wrestling with personal demons in Toronto’s inner city. General (Wint) is a drug dealer turned artist arriving home from prison to his estranged family. Jordan (Chevolleau) is a promising boxer who reluctantly participates in gay-bashing, even as he struggles with his own identity. Meanwhile, Maxine (Crawford) faces the end of her relationship after she chooses to end a pregnancy. Their tales are woven together by Rude (Lewis), the smoky-voiced pirate radio DJ whose words penetrate the community with wit and insight.

      Director

      Clement Virgo

      Virgo rose to prominence with his first feature, Rude, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered two Genie nominations. He has also directed the films Poor Boy’s Game and Lie With Me, and hit TV shows such as The Wire, Regenesis and The Listener. He recently produced the show Greenleaf and directed episodes of Empire and Billions. His most recent film, Brother, premiered at TIFF 2022.

      Writer

      Clement Virgo

      Cast

      Sharon Lewis, Rachael Crawford, Richard Chevolleau, Maurice Dean Wint, Clark Johnson

      Producers

      Karen King, Damon D'Oliveira

      Genre

      Drama

      Interests

      BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker

      Original Language

      English

      Canadian Distributor

      eOne

      Related Films
      Own VoiceBrother2022
      Own VoiceThe Planet of Junior Brown1997
      Own VoiceNurse.Fighter.Boy2008
      Own VoicePoor Boy's Game2007

      All Films

      DirectorMiranda de Pencier

      Year2019

      Run Time106min

      GenreDrama

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (46)

      Based on an inspiring true story, The Grizzlies is a powerful film about the determination and resilience of a group of Inuit youth struggling with the legacy of colonization.

      When Russ Sheppard (Schnetzer) moves to Kugluktuk, NU, to be a teacher, he is shocked by the challenges facing the community, most especially the ongoing epidemic of teen suicide. Russ introduces a lacrosse programme and gradually wins the trust of his students. Together, the youth find a sense of pride and purpose in themselves and their community.

      The Grizzlies was called “transcendently moving” by The Hollywood Reporter and has won multiple awards and been screened to acclaim at film festivals around the world. Cast members Paul Nutarariaq and Anna Lambe earned Canadian Screen Award nominations for their performances.

      * Please note that this film has Indigenous producers, but not anIndigenous director. imagineNATIVE defines an Indigenous-made film as one directed or co-directed by an Indigenous person.

      Director

      Miranda de Pencier

      De Pencier is a director and producer whose first short film Throat Song won four awards including a CSA for Best Live Action Short. The Grizzlieswon the DGC’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement Feature Film Award. She has produced several films, including Cake, Beginners and Thanks for Sharing and episodes of Anne With an E. She is currently producing the film The Chocolate Money.

      Writers

      Graham Yost, Moira Walley-Beckett

      Cast

      Emerald MacDonald (Inuk), Paul Nutarariaq (Inuk), Anna Lambe (Inuk), Ben Schnetzer, Ricky Martin-Pahtaykan (Plains Cree/Stoney Nakoda)

      Producers

      Stacey Aglok MacDonald (Inuk), Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk), Damon D'Oliveira, Miranda de Pencier, Zanne Devine

      Genre

      Drama

      Interests

      BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Discrimination, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Sports

      Original Language

      English

      Language Version

      EN CC

      Canadian Distributor

      Mongrel Media

      Related Films
      Own VoiceAtanarjuat: The Fast Runner2001
      Own VoiceAngry Inuk2016
      Own VoiceBeans2020
      Own VoiceNight Raiders2021

      All Films

      DirectorMoze Mossanen

      Year2018

      Run Time83min

      GenreDocumentary

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (51)

      What would you do if 6,600 people unexpectedly landed in your small town with no place to stay? For the 11,000 people of Gander, Newfoundland, this incredible event happened in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, when nearly 40 planes are rerouted and grounded there.

      This documentary shows how this town in Newfoundland came together to feed, shelter and support all of the stranded airline passengers for 6 days.

      With interviews from a selection of airline passengers and residents of the town, this emotional and inspirational documentary tells the incredible true story that inspired the smash-hit musical Come From Away.

      Director

      Moze Mossanen

      Moze Mossanen is a director, writer and producer who has created a body of popular and critically acclaimed work that have included a unique blend of drama, documentary, music and performance. These films include Dance for Modern Times, Year of the Lion, Roxana, and Nureyev. His 2013 doc, Unsung, won the Canadian Screen Award in 2015. His most recent feature doc, You Are Here: A Come From Away Story, was released on HBO Canada in September 2018 and won two CSA Awards including Best Documentary in March 2019. The film was also released in over 800 theatres across the United States in September 2019. Â

      Writer

      Moze Mossanen

      Producer

      Peter Gentile

      Genre

      Documentary

      Interests

      Asian Filmmaker, ESL, History

      Original Language

      English

      Canadian Distributor

      Bell Media

      Related Films
      The Whale2010
      Anything Is Possible: The Serge Ibaka Story2019
      Own VoiceSuperfan: The Nav Bhatia Story2021
      Own VoiceAngry Inuk2016

      All Films

      DirectorBruce McDonald

      Year2008

      Run Time93min

      GenreComedy, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (56)

      Grant Mazzy (McHattie) is a big-city shock radio DJ who has lost his job and moves to the small Ontario town of Pontypool, where he frustrates his new station manager, Sydney (Houle).

      Nothing ever happens in Pontypool, so when Mazzy arrives at the station to start his show one wintry morning, he and his team are surprised by strange reports from town.

      The station’s tiny crew find themselves holed up in their church basement studio, trying to piece together what’s happening outside as disturbing details pour in. Callers are making very little sense, and it seems like the English language itself is infected with a strange virus.

      “McDonald knows it’s the things you don’t see, but only imagine, that best chill the blood.”
      — Peter Howell, Toronto Star

      Director

      Bruce McDonald

      McDonald directed the cult hits Highway 61, Roadkill, Hard Core Logo, The Tracey Fragments, starring Elliot Page, Pontypool, and the award-winning series Twitch City, episodes of Degrassi and Heartland. His recent films include Trigger, The Husband, Hellions, Weirdosand Dreamland. He recently directed the series Creeped Out and Malory Towers and is currently working on the films Switched at Death and I Have a Bad Feeling About This.

      Writer

      Tony Burgess

      Cast

      Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly

      Producers

      Jeffrey Coghlan, Ambrose Roche

      Genres

      Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

      Interests

      Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Literary Adaptation

      Original Language

      English

      Language Version

      EN CC

      Canadian Distributor

      eOne

      Related Films
      Fido2006
      Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés (Saint Martyrs of the Damned)2005
      Hyena Road2015
      Crime Wave1985

      All Films

      2025 - 5 - Resilience Archives - REEL CANADA (2025)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Recommended Articles
      Article information

      Author: Greg O'Connell

      Last Updated:

      Views: 6280

      Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

      Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Greg O'Connell

      Birthday: 1992-01-10

      Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

      Phone: +2614651609714

      Job: Education Developer

      Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

      Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.