Whole New Thing (2005)

Director:

Amnon Buchbinder

Writers:

Amnon Buchbinder (writer)
Daniel MacIvor (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Who was YOUR first crush?

Plot:

After years of being home schooled by hippie parents, Emerson is enrolled at his local high school. The intelligent and androgynous youth confounds his classmates and captures the attention of his English teacher. The teacher-student relationship leads to problems for everyone involved. |

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Teacher Student Relationship | Gay Bashing | Coming Of Age | Teacher Crush

Awards:

11 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Aaron Webber	...	Emerson
Robert Joy	...	Rog
Rebecca Jenkins	...	Kaya
Daniel MacIvor	...	Don Grant
Kathryn MacLellan	...	Ms. McPherson
Drew O'Hara	...	Todd
Ryan Hartigan	...	Jeff
Geordie Brown	...	Buddy
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Denny
Jackie Torrens	...	Claire
Lisa Lelliott	...	Massage Guest
Leah Fassett	...	Laura
Samantha Spencer	...	Debra
Rebecca Regan	...	Teri
Marguerite McNeil	...	Don's Mother

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company:

Acuity Pictures Production

Trivia:

The film was written in two weeks then filmed in 15 days.

Quotes:

Rog: How often do you masturbate?
Emerson Thorsen: After every meal. I floss, too.

Soundtrack:

I Believe in the Good Life

Oh, not the story again!

The elements that were designed to visually encompass this film, are absolutely great! From the house, the clothing (or lack of) of Aaron's character family to the lighting schemes in every situation, Whole New Thing is exactly what Hollywood should tackle: a good story that resonates with real life situations, and a treatment where twists and turns, not manipulation, lead to a very convincing film.

The textures of every small detail were almost handcrafted, especially the music. This is one of the reasons why Canadian films are important: they are a counterweight to American films, (though I still believe that Canadians, as Chileans, Mexicans and all of America's peoples are American).

I'm proud of this film and the way it explores (maybe not in depth, because it was not its purpose) a really difficult issue to which we all close our eyes and ears, and think as impossible and weird. My hat off too for the co-writer and actor Daniel McIvor.

Maybe you'll love to see this film over and over again just to discover how well done it is!