Posted on August 8, 2018

CALGARY, AB - Today the Calgary International Film Festival announced the selection for the Closing Gala. MAKING COCO: THE GRANT FUHR STORY, directed by Don Metz, will have its world premiere screening on September 29, the final Saturday of the festival, followed by an extended Q&A session with Grant Fuhr, Don Metz and Producer Adam Scorgie. Called the greatest goaltender in hockey history by Wayne Gretzky, Fuhr also struggled with cocaine and had well-known conflicts with the league. MAKING COCO is the story of his life, both on and off the ice. 

Tickets for the Closing Gala film screening at Eau Claire and after-party go on sale today. The exciting new venue for the party will be made in a future announcement. Please see calgaryfilm.com for details.

The Calgary International Film Festival also announced 11 more films today, all gripping stories of hurdles overcome. This selection includes features, shorts and documentaries from countries including Lebanon, Germany, England and Canada.

“Films give us the opportunity to see into people’s lives that are totally different from our own, to understand and to empathize,” said Stephen Schroeder, Executive Director of the Calgary International Film Festival. “These films all depict a life lived on the edge: stories of obstacles, loss, and pain, but also triumph, hope, and strength when we need it the most."

Here are all 12 films in this week’s announcement:

ANTHROPOCENE, DIRECTED BY JENNIFER BAICHWAL, EDWARD BURTYNSKY, AND NICHOLAS DE PENCIER

This award-winning filmmaking team finishes their hard-hitting documentary trilogy with a reflection on humanity's impact on the earth.

ALIVE., directed by Rob Grant

A severely injured man (Thomas Cocquerel) and woman (Camille Stopps) awake in an abandoned hospital to discover they are being held hostage by a sadistic caretaker (Angus Macfadyen, BRAVEHART, SAW 3 & 4). As the two decide to find a way out, they realize their caretaker is the only one with answers to their real identity. Vancouver Director Rob Grant (FAKE BLOOD, Calgary Film 2017), produced and shot this film in the Calgary area, using a mostly local crew.

ALL ABOUT NINA directed Eva Vives

Nina Geld (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is a blisteringly provocative stand-up comedian whose career is taking off, but whose personal life is a near-complete disaster. In this narrative feature, Nina flees to Los Angeles where she meets Rafe (Common), who challenges almost every preconception she has – including those around her own troubled past.

CAPERNAUM directed by Nadine Labaki

Winner of the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes, this narrative feature from Lebanon tells the story of an extraordinary trial: 12-year old Zain is suing his parents for giving him life, and launches his lawsuit against his parents while serving a prison sentence. The film takes us on an emotionally charged journey through the streets of Beirut and shows us the gritty life that Zain and his siblings had to face while uncovering the decisions made by his parents.

LETTER FROM MASANJIA directed by Leon Lee

When a woman from Oregon finds an SOS note written by a Chinese prisoner stashed in a box of Halloween decorations from Kmart, she never imagined it would eventually lead to the closure of all of China's labour camps. This nail-biting documentary shows the actions of a few good citizens can truly thwart those of a totalitarian regime.

MAKING COCO: THE GRANT FUHR STORY directed by Don Metz

At 19, Grant ‘Coco’ Fuhr became starting goalie for the Oilers. In his mid-30’s, he played 79 games in an 82-game season to set a league record, then played 73 the following season on a completely rebuilt knee. He backstopped five Stanley Cup champions and two Canada Cup winners. He also got himself demoted to the minors for calling the hometown fans jerks, announced his retirement at the age of 26 in an attempt to renegotiate a long-term contract and was suspended for an entire NHL season for cocaine use, only to return and redeem himself as one of the game’s true greats. Fuhr was the first black superstar in hockey, winning 403 regular season NHL games. He’s a member of the 2003 class of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

MAN RUNNING directed by Gary Burns

In this Alberta feature, a young doctor runs in a grueling 24-hour, 200-kilometer ultra-marathon over rugged mountain terrain as he avoids a police investigation into a recent incident involving his medical practice. Veteran Calgary-based director, Gary Burns (WAYDOWNTOWN, PROBLEM WITH FEAR, RADIANT CITY), once again crafts an innovative story that pushes boundaries and challenges audiences. 

PRINCE'S TALE directed by Jamie Miller

Artist Prince Amponsah faced a long road of mental recovery after a fire at his Toronto apartment left him disfigured. His passion for performance brings him back to the stage. 

THE GREAT DARKENED DAYS directed by Maxime Giroux

In this Canadian narrative feature, Philippe, a draft-dodger from Quebec, takes refuge from a world war in the American West, surviving by competing in Charlie Chaplin impersonation contests. As Philippe makes his long journey home, he encounters various characters under the sway of a destructive madness. His voyage, both violent and fascinating, is a hallucinatory initiation to the darker side of the American dream. 

THE HEAT: A KITCHEN (R)EVOLUTION directed by Maya Gallus

In restaurant kitchens, tight quarters, high pressure and hot tempers combine to create toxic conditions that make it difficult for anyone to survive, let alone climb the ladder to head chef. For women, the situation is even worse. From New York City's star chefs Anita Lo and Amanda Cohen to the queen of French cuisine Anne-Sophie Pic, seven chefs share their struggles and inspirations in this Canadian documentary feature. 

THUNDER ROAD directed by Jim Cummings

A jaw-dropping performance filled with bursts of offbeat humor and unexpected pathos as a small-town police officer struggling to process the death of his mother, an impending divorce, and his own unrecognized cluelessness. This is a Canadian premiere for this independent American feature. 

TWO PUDDLES (SHORT), Directed by Timothy Keeling

Embarking on a woodland retreat to ease straining family relations, a mother, father and their teenage daughter encounter two connected puddles forcing them to decide whether to sacrifice themselves for another, or risk waiting for help to arrive in time. A short from the UK.

 

NEXT WEEK

The waves of announcements keep coming, all through August. Next Wednesday we will reveal the film screening at this year’s Closing Gala.

STAY TUNED FOR OUR FULL LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT

The Calgary International Film Festival will announce the full lineup of films on August 28, 2018. Single tickets to all films will go on sale online at this time, with the Eau Claire Box Office opening on September 14. Meanwhile, early bird festival passes and ticket packages are on sale now at calgaryfilm.com, with special pricing in effect until August 26. This year’s festival runs from September 19 – September 30.

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For more information or to book interviews contact:
Nadine bibi, Marketing Director, The Calgary International Film Festival
nadine.bibi@calgaryfilm.com
403.452.4845

About the Calgary International Film Festival

The Calgary International Film Festival (Calgary Film) is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and over 40 other countries. The festival hosts gala events, screenings, special presentations, and a Behind the Screen series that emphasizes unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact.

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