
Talk about a hall of mirrors! Sook-Yin Lee adapts a graphic novel by her ex-boyfriend, Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown, about the end of their relationship in the early naughts and Brown’s subsequent decision to start paying for sex. Dan Beirne (The Twentieth Century) plays Brown, and he’s joined by a cast that includes Emily Lê (Riceboy Sleeps) as Sook-yin stand-in Sonny and Andrea Werhun (Modern Whore) as Yulissa, the sex worker who forms a long-term relationship with Brown.
The tone here is affectionately comedic, matter of fact, and sex positive, not salacious or leering. If you’re at all familiar with her work, you will know that Sook-Yin Lee is unafraid to venture into uncomfortable areas, but what comes through most strongly is her respect for the women involved, and the deep bond she still shares with Chester Brown. Beirne plays him as a calm, curious adventurer who diligently researches escort etiquette and whose forthright transactional approach may have you reconsidering social orthodoxy. Lê’s Sook-Yin substitute is likewise a charming presence, leading with her heart and making plenty of missteps as she navigates the uncertain territory of sex in the contemporary world.
Feb 15 & 16: Q&A with director Sook-Yin Lee
Displays a maturity and thoughtfulness all too rare when focusing on a subject like this.
Zachary Lee, rogerebert.com
A provocative romance in the style of Pedro Almodóvar (check out those bold primary colours) crossed with a documentary about alternative life paths. See where it goes.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Sook-Yin Lee
Daniel Beirne, Emily Lê, Andrea Werhun, Noah Lamanna
Canada
2024
English
Book Tickets
Saturday February 15
Sunday February 16
Monday February 17
Thursday February 20
Indigenous & Community Access
Credits
Executive Producer
Dan Beirne, John Cameron Mitchell
Producer
Matt Code, Sonya Di Rienzo, Aeschylus Poulos
Screenwriter
Sook-Yin Lee, Joanne Sarazen
Cinematography
Gayle Ye
Editor
Anna Catley
Production Design
Olivia D’Oliveira
Original Music
Dylan Gamble, Sook-Yin Lee
Also Playing
Luther: Never Too Much
There is a lot more to soul superstar Luther Vandross than his honeyed hits. This definitive doc sheds light on his work with artists including David Bowie, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin, his struggles with his image and sexuality, and remarkable gifts.
Granny Must Die
An absurd comedy about the daily life of a three-generational Hakka household in Taipei. Huichiao, her grandmother Chunmei, Chunmei's son Fusang, and daughter-in-law Lichun live together in a three-generational household in Taipei. Tensions arise! Rated: PG
Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul
Legendary Toronto soul, funk, and ska singer Jay Douglas leads us through an energizing history of Canadian Caribbean music. Join us Friday night and meet Jay in person, along with producer Andrew Munger!