Emotionally closed off, stuck in her ways, avoiding people; this describes Martha Plant (The Planters) and other characters in this program (The Breaker Upperers, Adult Life Skills, Summerland, Girl Asleep). With women in the writer’s and director’s seats, these characters become recognizable within ourselves and the women we know. It’s a powerful thing to connect with a character on screen because whatever they go through, you can imagine yourself going through the same. Relating to a character’s emotional detachment in the beginning of the film means that you can also relate to their journey as they make an unlikely new friend and begin to open their heart. Their successes become your potential successes; their new friends, your potential new friends. Strong female characters don’t have to carry weapons (and have a body that only six months of intense physical training can produce). In these films, you see the strength it takes for a woman to accept change, to grieve, to take care of another person, and to boldly be her true self. Their strength can inspire your own. The strength of friendship runs through this program; in the characters and in the writer/director duos who created The Planters and The Breaker Upperers. There’s no one better to tell a story of strong female friendship than a pair of strong female filmmaker friends.
Directed and written by Alexandra Kotcheff and Hannah Leder, 2019, USA
In the wake of her parents death, awkward telemarketer Martha Plant lives a lonely existence sucking at selling air conditioners, burying stolen treasure in the desert, and eating split pea soup. When she fortuitously collides into Sadie Mayflower, a bubbly vagrant with an orange suitcase and penchant for chit chat, Martha takes her in and offers her a position as her treasure burying assistant. But Martha quickly discovers her people-savvy friend has multiple personalities, some nicer than others.
The Planters is a story of new friends told by two old friends. Alexandra Kotcheff and Hannah Leder, friends since age 9, not only wrote and directed this film but were the only on-set crew. A brave and bold choice on its own, it allowed them to keep total creative control of their brave and bold story. One can feel the isolation, not just through what’s on screen with wide shots of empty desert and the lack of extras, but in the filmmaking style itself; steady tripod shots for most of the film, isolated and repeated sets, and other tells of low-budget filmmaking. Martha’s isolation is reflected in the environment, as is her more lively world after Sadie enters, and a little bit of mania as she discovers someone is stealing her plants and she attempts to keep her job. The Planters is a “a slice of delightfully idiosyncratic comedic genius” (Film Threat) and an example of how friendship can change one's life and open up possibilities.
The screening includes a talk hosted by Tish Chambers (CFI Festival Administrator and IFFO programmer) with guest, film critic Di Golding (CBC Radio’s All in a Day, Dear Cast and Crew).
Tish is pleased to welcome Di Golding as the first guest of the series. As a film critic, Di’s voice on film and media reaches across Canada through the radio waves, bringing the underrepresented woman’s voice to film criticism. Having worked together on CBC Radio’s All in Day as film columnists, Tish is excited to again talk with Di about women’s representation in film.
Centered around The Planters, Tish and Di will have a conversation about the themes of personal isolation, making friends, and opening up. As seen in The Planters, and the other films of the program, friendship is critical to have in one’s life, and can come from the most unexpected places.
The Planters + talk:
Available on-demand from Thurs. Dec. 3, 7pmEST - Sat., Dec. 5, 7pmEST across Canada.
Tickets:
$12 (plus HST, CFI Member discounts apply)
Pre-order to get a reminder!
The Breaker Upperers
Directed and written by Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek, 2018, New Zealand
Mel and Jen made a business out of other people’s emotional unavailability; they do the unpleasant (but often comical) job of handling break-ups. The number one rule: don’t get attached. This system works fine for Jen, but when Mel starts to keep in touch with their clients, their business, and their friendship, are in trouble.
Changes in a friendship can make you feel like your whole world is crumbling. For someone as emotionally detached as Jen, Mel’s sudden interest in their clients feels like a betrayal. Mel’s changed the status quo and Jen is going to have to accept some big changes if she wants to keep her best friend.
Watch in Canada: Netflix
Adult Life Skills
Directed and written by Rachel Tunnard, 2016, UK
Anna isn’t ready to turn 30. She can’t move on from the loss of her twin brother, spending her days in the shed making videos or working at her uninspiring job. Stumbling through life in a haze of grief, it takes an unexpected new friend to shake her out of her stupor.
They say “it takes a village” and, though she’s 29, Anna definitely needs some help growing up. It’s unfathomable for her to have to reach a milestone such as turning 30 without her brother and without him, she’s not interested in anyone else entering her life. It takes the perspective of a child to help her find how to grow up and open up.
Watch in Canada: Hoopla, Popcornflix, iTunes
Summerland
Directed and written by Jessica Swale, 2020, UK
Alice lives alone in a cottage by the English seaside where she writes about folklore and chases off local children who think she’s a witch. Saddled with an unwanted evacuee, she moves from resistance to acceptance as she allows the child into her hardened heart.
Living in a world that won’t accept her as she is, Alice has learned how to survive without love. Someone had to literally be forced into her home for her to learn that her heart is still capable of love. And with her heart open, she gets so much more than she ever dreamed.
Watch in Canada: iTunes, Google Play Movies
Girl Asleep
Directed by Rosemary Myers and written by Matthew Whittet, 2015, Australia
The last thing Greta wants is a 15th birthday party, but her parents have already sent out the invitations. Torn between her new friend Elliott and the intimidating clique of popular girls, Greta resists the teenage turmoil by retreating into a childhood fantasy world but she can’t stay there forever.
Who would want to turn 15 when it’s already such a disaster? Elliott wants to be more than friends and the cool girls are just short of dumping the pigs blood. But retreating into her childhood world isn’t just an escape. It’s like a good therapy session from weird creatures in masks. She emerges ready to tackle anything, even her birthday party.
Watch in Canada: iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube