Today, I proudly donned by Hotdocs volunteer shirt and did  a volunteer shift.  In volunteer training, we were warned that you can't assume you will get to see the doc screening so I didn't expect it.  But I did get to watch two films!  Volunteering was really fun.

My Grandmother's House
I didn't see this full doc.  As I missed the beginning and left before the end.  It is about a grandmother who is taking care of her young granddaughter.  Meanwhile she is being evicted from her house as new apartments are being built in her block.  I loved the film makers' shooting style and the colours she used.  I found the doc didn't do enough to connect me to her her subject but maybe it was because I missed the beginning?

Arctic Son
Highly recommended.  Beautifully shot documentary of a son who returns from city living to the traditional lifestyle of his father in the Arctic.  The doc shows the father teaching the son the techniques of living off the land.  The son gradually finds himself through this and moves away from his destructive habits (drinking, drugs etc.).  This film really portrays the stark differences between the lifestyle of the Inuit with the southern Whites while leaving you with hope for the future.

Country
Country was made by a Quebec film maker about the phenomena of country festivals in Quebec during the summer.  People who enjoy country music and the country culture (rodeos, shirts with tassles) drive around to each festival all through the summer.  It is a warm environment and the people who participate in the country fair find it lifts their spirits.  This was a beautifully shot documentary that illustrates that even in our mass communication people still are drawn to very personal cultural experiences.