My Winnipeg (2007)

Fact, fantasy and memory are woven seamlessly together in this portrait of film-maker Guy Maddin's home town of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Director:

Guy Maddin

Writers:

Guy Maddin, George Toles (dialogue writer)

Stars:

Ann Savage, Louis Negin, Amy Stewart

4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann Savage	...	Mother
Louis Negin	...	Mayor Cornish
Amy Stewart	...	Janet Maddin
Darcy Fehr	...	Guy Maddin
Brendan Cade	...	Cameron Maddin
Wesley Cade	...	Ross Maddin
Lou Profeta	...	Himself
Fred Dunsmore	...	Himself
Kate Yacula	...	Citizen Girl
Jacelyn Lobay	...	Gwenyth Lloyd
Eric Nipp	...	Viscount Gort
Jennifer Palichuk	...	Althea Cornish
Deborah Carlson
Kevin Harris
Scott Hamel

Storyline

Filmmaker Guy Maddin was born, raised and has always lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a town where he says everyone sleepwalks through life. He is trying to escape Winnipeg, but isn't sure how as he isn't sure what's kept him there in the first place. Perhaps his parent's month long 65th wedding anniversary celebration (despite his father being dead for some years) where he will reenact his childhood (with actors playing his family, except his mother who plays herself) in the old family home at 800 Ellis Avenue, which was above the family's hair salon business, will provide some answers. He recounts some civic events which have affected him and the life of Winnipegers: the 1919 general strike, the destruction of the Wolseley Elm in 1957, and the replacement of the iconic Eaton's building for the new hockey arena in favor of the old Winnipeg Arena. The latter has an especially close connection to him because of a family tie and the rich history of hockey in the city (discounting what he ...

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Plot Keywords:

hockey | city | arena | hometown | mother | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Offical site [uk] Official site [fr]

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Moje Winnipeg

Filming Locations:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$14,309 (USA) (13 June 2008)

Gross:

$156,629 (USA) (15 August 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buffalo Gal Pictures, Documentary Channel, Everyday Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Brows Held High: Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Flight of the Wooden Spoon"
Written by Jason Staczek

User Reviews

A loopy, mesmerising love-letter.

Screened with live director-narration at the Sydney Film Festival, My Winnepeg was not always easy to engage with but was, ultimately, one of the most satisfying filmic experiences of the Festival fortnight to-date.

Mixing surreal, dreamlike images with heartfelt reminiscents, Guy Maddin created extraordinary cinema that will linger long in the memory of all that witnessed it.

The first 20 minutes are the toughest slog - it takes a little while to comprehend exactly the direction this loving-yet-satirical homage to Maddin's home town is trying to accomplish. And I also have reservations as to how this is going to play to audiences without the immediate, personal engagement the live-narration provides - the connection the on-stage presence provided made for an intimacy that may not be otherwise available.

But, with no reservation, the dreamlike images, coupled with the heartfelt words of the creator, made for a unique, beautiful, hilarious, moving experience. This is a major work from an extraordinary talent; a must-see for those that crave films that engage the head and the heart.