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:

Darcy Fehr, Ann Savage, Louis Negin

4 wins & 17 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	...	Self
Fred Dunsmore	...	Self
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:

two word title | place in title | city in title | shower | male in shower | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Guy Maddin provided live narration at many film festival screenings.

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Crazy Credits

Tapioca Wrangler - Marnie Patuck

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Moody Manitoba Morning
Written by Rick Neufeld
Performed by The Bells
Played during the January sequence

User Reviews

Just Fascinating

A tribute, kind of, to the great city of Winnipeg, Manitoba (I'm not being facetious-I've been there), this is an 80 minute documentary about the place. It accentuates the winter's bitter cold, the days gone by (some of the images are amazing) and what the city meant and means to Mr. Maddin. This film is not for everyone. It is in black and white and grainy. At first, I wasn't sure if this was a mockumentary, but even though the narrator laments the passing of people and places, I was wondering if the whole point was to explain why people don't leave. Sure, its no Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver (you get the idea), but its a medium size city that thrives. I have seen Mr. Maddin's "Saddest Music In The World", so I know I was expecting something different. Maybe you have no interest in Winnipeg (or can even find it on a map!), but that doesn't detract from the narrative. An added bonus is Ann Savage playing the narrator's mother. Wow, she is in her mid 80's and she agreed to do this role. I don't expect mass agreement here, but if you were commissioned to do a film about your hometown, I'm not sure how different your film would be than this, especially if you life in a city thats cold in the winter. I'm waiting for "My Buffalo" or "My Fargo". For now, I'm quite content with this film that moved me and even taught me about the city. A great left of center cinematic achievement.

Details

Official Sites:

Offical site [UK] Official site [France]

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Minha Winnipeg

Filming Locations:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,309, 15 June 2008

Gross USA:

$159,363

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$316,743

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buffalo Gal Pictures, Documentary Channel, Everyday Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1