The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective
Welcome everyone to The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective.
As I said at last year’s “First Cinelation Retrospective”: This is going to be fun.
And it was.
And now we’re going watch these films again and get more out of them: Thrills, thoughts, shocks, chills, wickedness and elation. The more you love cinema, the more elated you’ll get tonight.
Speaking of which, along the previously screened “Bridge No. 29” (2014), “Socket” (2016) and “Siren” (2020), these three were filmed in clinical, inhuman digital code that peer and fall into the dark abyss of the human condition – full of rage, tension, obsession, mayhem, cruelty, despair, primal lust and madness (Again, these movies are fun!), I have constructed a brand new one with more raw, austere, tactile and vintage material than I’ve ever worked with as a filmmaker to create a work of art that lives up to its substance.
It’s a rare feat that the very location – right where you’re sitting, Luigi – is where I shot my very first 8mm film and where we’ll watch it first thing.
And I want thank Luigi Alvarez, Inanna Cusi, Dan Small, Colin Williscroft at Cineworks and especially, my gaffer and workshop partner Joe Gin Clark who unfortunately couldn’t be here with us tonight, for their support and teaching me to work with analog film.
Outside of Cineworks, nobody here knows anything about this new short, which makes things more intense for all of you and me. It’s like an experiment! Just imagine being in outside in complete darkness, unaware that you’re standing above a high precipice and here I am pushing you off.
I also had the good fortune to work with many talented friends, artists, actors and technicians crafting these films that I conceived and executed for the past 10 years. My gratitude knows no bounds.
Brace yourselves, these four films are coming at you now as a single monstrosity – a savage work of art.
Enjoy the show.
Here is a photo that was taken during the Q&A by cinematographer Danny Nowak (CSC). On the left is Luis “Luigi” Alvarez, the magnificent interviewer who asked really inspired questions about my work. On the right, I am in the zone explaining what compels me to make these films.
And my films looked brilliant projected in their DCP format.
NEW SHORT FILM (Title To Be Revealed At Screening) (2024)
Runtime: 3 Minutes and 13 Seconds
Synopsis: You’ll see!
The film will be made available online before the end of the year.
BRIDGE NO. 29 (2014)
Runtime: 5 Minutes and 25 Seconds
Synopsis: A woman (Julia Harnett) who lives alone comes home to find an old acquaintance (Matt Seeley) has let himself into her apartment.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: BRIDGE NO. 29 (2014) | IMDB
SOCKET (2016)
Runtime: 21 Minutes and 12 Seconds
A professional photographer (David Cutcher) discovers that you should never ridicule the amateur photography of your eye doctor (Robyn Bradley).
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: SOCKET (2016) | IMDB
SIREN (2020)
Runtime: 15 Minutes and 51 Seconds
Synopsis: Driving on a highway late at night, distracted driver April (Dalit Holzman) and her combative lover Brooke (Erin Morgan) are pulled over for speeding by two sinister police officers (Eryka Alanna and Madison Isolina). During a strange and increasingly frightening interrogation, the two women find themselves under the power of a supernatural force that changes everything they ever knew about themselves… and each other.
SIREN has also earned 16 award wins including Best Horror Short Film at the PEEPHOLE filmfest and 24 nominations.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: SIREN (2020) | IMDB
Filmmaker’s Bio:
Christopher Beaubien’s knowledge of film has made him a walking encyclopedia of all things cinematic. Before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in filmmaking at Capilano University, he successfully studied and worked for over a decade in graphic design and illustration. Inspired by legendary directors David Cronenberg, Peter Greenaway and Sam Raimi, he applied his passion for visual art theory with his filmmaking aesthetic and love of the horror genre.
Having seen over 7,000 films, his review site, Cinelation, is a labor of love. Essays on various films garnered the attention of fellow reviewers as well as the producers of “Synchedoche, New York” (2008) led to an invitation to participate in a Critics’ Round Table discussion of the film in New York City. This was included in the Blu-Ray’s Special Features section.
For three years, Christopher has hosted a weekly screening of movies at the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation. He also introduced the 4K release of Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” to a full house at the Vancity Theatre. He has been a committed supporter of the Vancouver International Film Festival for over 20 years. He is renowned for his expertise, reliability, and commitment to excellence.
He has directed several short movies including “Bridge No. 29” (2014), “Socket” (2016) and the award-winning “Siren” (2020), which has played in over 80 film festivals around the world. He is working on producing his first feature.
