thecommentary.ca

The filmmaker Mads K. Baekkevold discusses his debut feature having its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival, a film looking at the life, work and identity of chef Hidekazu Tojo, The Chef and the Daruma, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. For nearly forty years now, Tojo’s has been a popular mainstay in Vancouver’s food scene. One of the more anticipated documentaries of the year, The Chef and the Daruma had its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival last night. And just before the screening, I talked to the film’s director Mads K. Baekkevold about this movie and what it was like working with Hidekazu Tojo as reveals so much about his life and work. The film retraces in a trip to Japan, what sort of upbringing it was, and how from early on to today, family was so important to Chef Tojo. We see the influence on his work and artistry as he narrates jobs he had in Japan in various kitchens before he immigrated to Canada in the early 1970s. Even in contemporary sequences, where Tojo dines throughout Japan, we see the clever inventor at work, taking in the tastes that might find its way back to Vancouver and his menus at the West Broadway location where he holds court nightly. I’ll also ask Mads about what it was like to make the movie, and the various pieces of advice that Tojo deploys throughout. One of the things we don’t talk about, and I purposely didn’t talk about it in our conversation is the Daruma, these dolls that appear throughout the film that are central in the goalsetting that Chef Tojo does through the year. They’re such a special part of Tojo’s outlook in life and how the film unfolds, that I’ll leave it to viewers to find out more about them. Mads K. Baekkevold is a freelance director, creative, writer, and editor. He has created content for various clients, including television commercials that have earned him two Cannes Lions awards, and a Clio. Visit https://www.madskarlsenb.com/ for more. The film screens at least three more times, and though they might be sold out by the time this runs, visit www.viff.org for updates on additional screenings. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Mads Baekkevold; Mr. Baekkevold, good morning.The post Mads K. Baekkevold first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The filmmaker Thea Loo discusses her new documentary Inay (Mama), having its premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Inay (Mama) (Filipino for Mama), is a new documentary that is having its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival tomorrow night. It’s a moving film that looks at the impact of the Live-In Caregiver Program that from the 1990s on has brought thousands of women from The Philippines as migrant workers rearing the children or elderly family members of Canadians, enabling them to send their earnings back home, where many of their children were left behind. After a certain period of time, these women were able to gain permanent residency and then bring their children to Canada. It’s an often-harrowing journey, as there are issues of abandonment, as well as cultural and psychological shock once these children build a new life in a new country, and try and rebuild a relationship with a missing parent. Thea Loo is the film’s director and she joins me now to talk about the film. Early in the movie, she and her husband, cinematographer Jeremiah Reyes talk about the depression that Reyes contends with. And soon, he and her friend Shirley, are interviewed on camera about the intergenerational trauma and lack of belonging that they seemingly have each had to navigate through. In Jeremiah’s case, addressing a lot of this might just help he and Thea adjust better to their recent marriage. Both he and Shirley have to deal with secrets that they grew up with, and by the end of the film, each of them sit down with their respective mothers and talk, often frankly, always emotionally, and hopefully charting a new path. The repercussions of governmental policies, and its effect on generations of Filipino Canadians is something this documentary sheds light on and it’s enlightening and enlightened in its approach. Thea Loo is a graduate of Simon Fraser University. Other than filmmaking, she has worked in other disciplines like photography, music, and theatre. The film screens tomorrow (October 2nd at 7.00pm) and Friday (October 4th at 4.00pm) at International Village. Thea and Jeremiah will participate at Q&As at both screenings. We taped this interview a couple of weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Thea Loo; Ms. Loo, good morning.The post Thea Loo first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The writer Bill Arnott discusses his new book A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, On Foot (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2024), with Joseph Planta. A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, On Foot by Bill Arnott (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: A Perfect Day for a Walk Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Bill Arnott joins me now. He’s recently published a new book, A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, On Foot. It’s part travelogue, and part history. In his observant, inimitable way, he walks parts of the city bringing the reader the sights and even sound, as well as points us to things we might have missed or overlooked, or taken for granted. He offers up hidden gems, as well as fascinating stories and histories of the neighbourhoods he walks through. Whether it’s Kitsilano, where he lives, or Granville Island, or False Creek or the West End, there’s all sorts of things we need to know about and remember. And even places like Yaletown or Chinatown or the Downtown Eastside, where we might have misconceptions about; are seen in a new light through Bill’s gaze. The book is a celebration of an ever-changing city, and there’s no better way to chart the city’s progress than on foot. I’ll ask Bill about why set out to document his walks, the various people he encounters on the way, that he canvasses for their thoughts about the direction of the city. I’ll also ask him about why he kept the journeys within the months of October to March. The book also has archival photos, as well as contemporary ones taken by Mr. Arnott, who joined me from here in Vancouver when we taped this interview nearly a month ago. Bill Arnott is the author of A Season on Vancouver Island, and the award-winning Gone Viking books. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. This new book is published by Arsenal Pulp Press. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Bill Arnott; Mr. Arnott, good morning.The post Bill Arnott first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The acclaimed choreographer and performer, co-artistic director of The Biting School Arash Khakpour discusses their latest production Empty-Handed (02-05 October 2024 at the Firehall Arts Centre), with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Arash Khakpour joins me now. The co-artistic director of The Biting School, he is the choreographer, and one of the performers of Empty-Handed, which begins tomorrow night, 02 October 2024 at the Firehall Arts Centre. The world premiere runs until Saturday (05 October 2024). I’ll ask Arash about the piece, and the themes explored therein: darkness, deception, and greed, all timely themes. It’s a contemporary dance piece. I’ll get Arash to tell us about the music, as well as the way this piece views the world. Visit www.firehallartscentre.ca for tickets and information. And visit www.bitingschool.com for more as well. Arash is joined onstage by the performers Juolin Lee, Marisa Gold, Hayley Gawthorp, and Antonio Somera Jr. We taped this interview last week. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Arash Khakpour; Mr. Khakpour, good morning.The post Arash Khakpour first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The filmmaker Christopher Auchter discusses his new documentary The Stand, which debuts this week at the Vancouver International Film Festival, a feature-length film on the 1985 blockade by the Haida on Lyell Island, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Christopher Auchter joins me again. The acclaimed filmmaker has a new film, a full-length feature that will debut this week at the Vancouver International Film Festival. In The Stand, Christopher with archival film and audio, takes the audience back to the fall of 1985 when a small group of Haida blockaded a dirt road on Lyell Island to demand that clear-cut logging stop as it’s been destroying salmon habitat and ravaging the old growth forests. There’s a lot of pressure exerted by the provincial and federal governments, as well as private logging interests, as the RCMP is called in to keep the peace and at times enforce various court orders. We see the court of public opinion form against the Haida, most vocally in the form of talk show host Jack Webster, who talks about the issue regularly on his highly rated BCTV morning program. I’ll ask Christopher about all the archival material he was able to draw upon. There’s radio interviews as well as high quality film shot from the perspective of the Haida, as well as the private logging firm contracted to work the forest. We see what it was like for the RCMP too, as the various points-of-view are featured throughout, almost-moment-to-moment. We see their conversations with the elders who take up the blockade, who also have to arrest them later on. We see Guujaaw on the front line, and how he communicates with others over a radio. Miles Richardson is featured in the film through his appearances with Webster and their vigorous debates, as is then-NDP MP Svend Robinson, also a lawyer, who’s on the front line. As the complex legal process plays out, the obtaining and enforcing of injunctions and the sort, we see what it’s like on the front lines and how with such dignity and grace what compels the Haida to take a stand. There’s a great character in the film, used as a sort of narrator that I’ll ask Chris about, Mouse Woman. Voiced by Delores Churchill, she adds some levity but also poignancy as we see throughout the film, as well as narrative information that provides further context to the events. It’s a powerful film, and one that tells necessary history considering what this critical moment provided as an inflection point for the future of land claims and Indigenous sovereignty. Christopher Auchter has appeared on the program twice to talk about his previous short films 2017’s The Mountains of SGaana, and 2019’s Now is the Time. Christopher Auchter wrote and directed, as well as animated The Stand, which is produced in association with Knowledge Network and the National Film Board of Canada. The film screens at the Vancouver International Film Festival this Thursday, 03 October 2024 at 8.45pm at SFU Woodwards, and Saturday, 05 October 2024 at International Village; at 3.15pm. Chris will be at both screenings. We taped this interview eleven days ago. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Christopher Auchter; Mr. Auchter, good morning.The post Christopher Auchter first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The acclaimed pianist Kevin Chen previews his upcoming performance at the Kay Meek Centre (Saturday, 28 September 2024), the program of Chopin and Liszt, music, and more, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. The Kay Meek Arts Centre is kicking off its 20th anniversary season. A gala dinner is planned for November 23rd, but this Saturday their Resonate Series begins with a performance by the acclaimed pianist Kevin Chen. Mr. Chen joins me now to talk about his program of Chopin and Liszt, what their music means to him, and what performing them will be like. At 19 years old, Mr. Chen is already a Canadian superstar in the making. The CBC has named him one of the Top 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30, while Maclean’s Magazine had him on a list of 100 Remarkable Canadians. He debuted at the age of seven with the Abbotsford Symphony and has already performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Hungarian National Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Taipei Symphony, and the Edmonton Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic. It was in Calgary where he joined me from last week, but he spends most of his time in Hanover, where he studies full time. You can visit https://www.kevinchenpiano.com/ for more information. Tickets for Saturday’s performance at the Kay Meek’s Grosvenor Stage can be had at www.kaymeek.com. Showtime is at 7.30pm, but there’s a pre-concert talk at 6.45pm. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Kevin Chen; Mr. Chen, good morning.The post Kevin Chen first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The broadcaster and author Carol Off discusses her new book At a Loss for Words: Conversations in an Age of Rage (Random House Canada, 2024), with Joseph Planta. At a Loss for Words: Conversations in an Age of Rage by Carol Off (Random House Canada, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: At a Loss for Words Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Carol Off joins me again. She’s just published, At a Loss for Words: Conversations in an Age of Rage, and it’s already a bestseller. In the book, she looks at six words that have lost their meaning in recent years: freedom, democracy, truth, woke, choice, and taxes. These are words that have been distorted and weaponised, to the point where their meaning today is often discounted or meant to be derogatory. These are words that were associated with civil rights and social justice, and she works through the book a way to reclaim them. Along the way she looks at how so many people are falling for conspiracy theories, getting hoodwinked by autocrats, and buying into the rage. And Carol noticed this as she was wrapping up her decade and a half as co-host of CBC Radio’s As It Happens. She noticed in the conversations she was having with guests, how polarised the conversations were getting. It’s an engaging book, one that’s informative like when she talks about the Hungarian influence on politics outside of its country, like Canada, as well as how Facebook has been weaponised, using The Philippines as an example, as she shares conversations with Maria Ressa. Carol Off is an award-winning journalist, who before her over fifteen years at As It Happens, covered Canadian and international affairs. Her first bestselling book The Lion, The Fox and The Eagle, was a bestseller and critically acclaimed. She’s written three more award-winning books of narrative nonfiction, including her most recent, which she was on the program with in 2017, All We Leave Behind: A Reporter’s Journey Into the Lives of Others. This new book is published by Random House Canada. We spoke three weeks ago, with Carol joining me from Toronto. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Carol Off; Ms. Off, good morning.The post Carol Off first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The bestselling author Marion McKinnon Crook discusses her recent memoir Always On Call: Adventures in Nursing, Ranching, and Rural Living (Heritage House, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Always on Call: Adventures in Nursing, Ranching, and Rural Living by Marion McKinnon Crook (Heritage House, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Always on Call Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Marion McKinnon Crook is the author of Always On Call: Adventures in Nursing, Ranching, and Rural Living. It was published this past spring, and has remained on the bestsellers list since. It’s a sequel to Always Pack A Candle, and they’re marvelous insights into the life of a public health nurse in rural British Columbia in the 1970s. Marion joins me now to talk about this book, and about what it was like for her and her family in the Cariboo, a vast rural territory that quickly becomes home to her husband Carl, their three young children, and the many farm animals they have. It’s not without its challenges as we read in the book, as Marion also has to oversee a small staff of rural public health nurses. She encounters runaway patients, needle-phobic hockey players, and stories of abuse and neglect. It’s also the 1970s and we see some social progress, especially for women. Marion McKinnon Crook is a nurse, educator, and author of over twenty-five books. Along with her nursing degree, she has a master’s in liberal arts, and a PhD in education. She is also the author of the British Book Tour mystery series under the name of Emma Dakin. Visit www.marioncrookauthor.com for more. The book is published by Heritage House. We taped this interview in mid June 2024, with Marion joining me from Gibsons, British Columbia. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Marion McKinnon Crook; Dr. Crook, good morning. The post Marion McKinnon Crook first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The award-winning writer and academic Jenny Heijun Wills discusses her new collection of essays Everything and Nothing At All (Knopf, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Everything and Nothing At All by Jenny Heijun Wills (Knopf, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Everything and Nothing At All Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. One of the important books of the year is the new collection of essays by Jenny Heijun Wills, Everything and Nothing at All. She writes of herself in the context of the world around her and within her. As a transnational adoptee, she writes of race and ethnicity not only from her perspective, but she looks critically at how others might see her then as now. In her discussions of mental illness, self-harm, queerness, polyamory, and eating disorder, she is frank and honest. Her ability to convey her own feelings as well as invite the reader to think critically of their own on a variety of subjects is so necessary in today’s culture. Take for example how she contends with how she perceived abuse, and how she might have tolerated or rationalised it in the past, and how her view changes because of a myriad of issues, like maturing or being a parent. The wisdom brims in the book, as it’s more than personal history but also literary criticism. Her ability to provide cultural context on a variety of issues is often informative and surprising. Jenny Heijun Wills was born in Seoul, South Korea, and was adopted and raised in a white family in Southern Ontario. She wrote about a lot of her experiences in her critically acclaimed and prize-winning Older Sister, Not Necessarily Related. It was the recipient of the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Nonfiction Prize in 2019, and the Manitoba Book Awards Best First Book Prize in 2020. This new book, from Knopf, is already a 2024 finalist for the Weston Writers’ Trust Nonfiction Prize. She is a Fulbright Alum (Harvard), and in 2015 was a visiting Scholar at Stanford University. She holds two BA-Hons degrees, an MA, and a PhD. She currently teaches at the University of Winnipeg. We taped this interview in late August, with Jenny joining me from Toronto. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jenny Heijun Wills; Professor Wills,  good morning.The post Jenny Heijun Wills first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The retired fisherman and boat builder Jon Taylor discusses his memoir Fried Eggs and Fish Scales: Tales from a Sointula Troller (Harbour Publishing, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Fried Eggs and Fish Scales: Tales from a Sointula Troller by Jon Taylor (Harbour Publishing, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Fried Eggs and Fish Scales Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. We go to Sointula, for this next conversation. I reached Jon Taylor back in June to talk about his memoir, Fried Eggs and Fish Scales: Tales from a Sointula Troller. As you’ll hear, I begin the interview by placing where Sointula is; it’s a place at the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. It’s on Malcolm Island, and Jon’s own family history there extends back to the early part of the twentieth century. His Finnish grandparents had planned to join the other Finns who’d moved there to found their own “workers paradise,” however on seeing the island, they moved back to Cuba. Jon moved there in 1976, and it’s fascinating to read of the lifestyle and what he did to make a living. We read about the rollicking commercial fishery, island life, Jon’s years as a fisherman and boat builder, as well the memorable people that he tells us about throughout the book. It’s a memorable book, as is Jon, whose ability to tell a good story on the page or over the phone are joys to behold. Jon Taylor is a retired fisherman and boat builder. He is a lifelong writer of poetry, memoir, essays and fiction, and he is an avid musician. We taped this interview in early June. The book is from Harbour Publishing. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jon Taylor; Mr. Taylor, good morning.The post Jon Taylor first appeared on thecommentary.ca.