CINELATION | Movie Reviews by Christopher Beaubien
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  • DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: BRIDGE NO. 29 (2014)

    DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:
    BRIDGE NO. 29 (2014)

    My short film stands as a cautionary tale for those unwilling to take personal responsibility for their mistakes until they are thoroughly helpless. The helping hand that Glenn is reaching for this time is Sandra, an old friend he hasn’t seen in a long time. Their reunion couldn’t be more awful. Both of them become engaged in a fierce and highly calculated battle of wills.

  • A Few Bits on A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS (1985)

    A Few Bits on A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS (1985)

    Peter Greenaway’s sumptuously decadent film "A Zed and Two Noughts" (1985) is one that sates both the visceral and cerebral palettes. While the viewers watch these images, they can contemplate how the subtle offsets to otherwise level and harmonious compositions are really broken illusions that reflect their chaotic reality.

  • Movie Review: BERNIE (2012)

    Movie Review: BERNIE (2012)

    Too often, people cannot believe that he – of all people! – could commit murder. That is the buzz coming from the good people of Carthage, Texas over their beloved Bernie Tiede – the real life subject of Richard Linklater’s bizarre crime story.

  • Movie Review: INCENDIES (2011)

    Movie Review: INCENDIES (2011)

    Nawal Marwan is dead. The room is still and unbearably quiet. As the notary Jean Lebel (Rémy Girard) reads Nawal's final will and testament aloud, Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) are disturbed by their mother's final request.

  • Movie Posters: LIFE DURING WARTIME (2010) and Other Films by Todd Solondz

    Movie Posters: LIFE DURING WARTIME (2010) and Other Films by Todd Solondz

    Over Todd Solondz's career from "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (1996) to "Palindromes" (2004), the posters of his films have been consistently inspired. Their designs and illustrations(!) convey the sweet and sour qualities of his controversial themes, which engage and then subvert our expectations.

The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective

Written by Christopher Beaubien • November 22, 2024 • Start the Discussion!

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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.


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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.


 

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Encore! Encore! “The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective” Screens This November

Written by Christopher Beaubien • November 15, 2024 • Start the Discussion!

It’s happening again.

I am proud to return to the Cineworks studio theatre for an encore presentation of “The First CINELATION Retrospective” with this year’s edition of “The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective”.

We will be screening my three favourite short films that I wrote and directed: “Bridge No. 29” (2014), “Socket” (2016) and the award-winning “Siren (2020). As a bonus, those who attend will be the first to witness the premiere of a secret short film I shot in 8mm this summer. All I will say is it features an actress who has appeared in one of the three standout films featured and it clocks in at three minutes. Nobody outside of Cineworks knows anything about it much less the title! I am very excited to showcase its unveiling.

The Black Box Studio is located at 300 – 1131 Howe Street behind the Cinematheque. Since the entrance is down a back alley, I encourage you to bring a friend.

The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective takes place on November 20th at 6:30pm.


NEW SHORT FILM (Title To Be Revealed At Screening) (2024)

Runtime: 3 Minutes and 13 Seconds
Synopsis: You’ll see! CONTINUE READING ►

The First CINELATION Retrospective is Happening

Written by Christopher Beaubien • December 06, 2023 • Start the Discussion!

With the support of the Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society, I will be screening three of my favourite short films together for the first time on the big screen next Tuesday, December 12th. These macabre works include Bridge No. 29, Socket and the award-winning Siren.

The First CINELATION Retrospective will celebrate the last ten years I have worked diligently as an independent filmmaker with a great assortment of talented and dedicated artists. I hope you will brave the cold to enjoy a rare opportunity to experience these three films.

The Black Box Studio is located at 300 – 1131 Howe Street behind the Cinematheque. Since the entrance is down a back alley, I encourage you to bring a friend.

The First CINELATION Retrospective takes place on December 12th at 6:30pm.

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CONTINUE READING ►

SIREN (2020) – The Award-Winning Horror Film Now Available For Streaming

Written by Christopher Beaubien • October 28, 2023 • Start the Discussion!

“SIREN” Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

Award-Winning Horror/Thriller Film (16 Minutes)

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.
CONTINUE READING ►

Favorite First-Watches and Discoveries of 2023

Written by Christopher Beaubien • October 04, 2023 • Start the Discussion!

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Here are my Favorite Pre-2022 First-Watches and Discoveries of 2023:

“Humoresque” (1946)
“Max and the Junkmen”
“Le Trou” (“The Hole”)
“Streets of Fire” (1984)
“Le Corbeau” (“The Raven”)
”The Man from Laramie”
“An Impossible Love”
“Women in Love” (1969)
“Splendor in the Grass” (1961)
“Bruno Reidal, Confessions of a Murderer”
“A Girl Missing”
“Black Sunday” (1977)
“Lover Come Back” (1961)
“César and Rosalie”
“Twentieth Century”
“Bad News Bears” (1976)
“Elizabeth Harvest”
“Serenity” (2019)
“Pastorale 1943”
“Fran”
“Executive Decision” (1973)
CONTINUE READING ►