Give into the encroaching forest
The show: Into the Forest The moment: The 7 a.m. screening
The power went out and never came back on. The radio played static, then nothing.
Their father disappeared, the nearest town is 40 kilometres away and the car is out of gas.
For a time, sisters Nell (Ellen Page) and Eva (Evan Rachel Wood) stubbornly hope things will go back to normal.
In their eco-friendly house in the B.C. woods, Nell keeps studying, hoping for university and Eva keeps practising a modern dance for an audition.
But eventually, events both gradual and sudden make them face the truth.
Wednesday is National Canadian Film Day 150.
In honour of the big birthday, the organization Reel Canada compiled a list of the 150 essential-viewing Canadian movies and set up 1,500 screenings nation-wide, plus another 100 around the world at embassies, consulates and military bases.
As well, a dozen broadcasters will be airing Canadian films throughout the day. (Find the schedule at canadianfilmday.ca.)
On TMN Encore, for example, you can watch Sarah Polley grow from preternaturally mature young actress ( The Sweet Hereafter, noon) to fascinating director ( Away From Her, 9 p.m.). Hollywood Suite’s four channels will be wall-to-wall red and white.
Give into it, and slowly, quietly, it will encroach on your brain the way the forest encroaches on the sisters’ house — like a dream
And the idea of watching writer/ director Patricia Rozema’s sad, spooky neo-apocalypse tale at 7 a.m. really appeals to me. Give into it, and slowly, quietly, it will encroach on your brain the way the forest encroaches on the sisters’ house — like a dream.
By 9 a.m., you’ll awake back into real life, startled by your electric lights, running water and all colours not green. Into the Forest airs on Super Écran Wednesday at 7 a.m. Johanna Schneller is a media connoisseur who zeroes in on pop-culture moments. She usually appears Monday through Thursday.