Ari Kinarthy’s existence is marked by worry and vigilance around his health, as he struggles with spinal muscular atrophy which has progressively weakened his muscles and left him vulnerable to infection and sickness. Yet he was born with the soul of an artist and a passion for music and remains curious and eager to collaborate with other musicians despite his limited physical strength. Anticipating the end of his life, Ari has an ambitious goal: to create music that will capture his experiences and memories and to leave a legacy through which people will remember him.
This documentary is a rare gem, borne of profound contemplation and insight. Intimate, honest, and inspiring, Ari eloquently narrates his own story and shares his artistic process. Ari’s Theme is visually captivating, incorporating animation, dramatic recreations, and imaginative dream sequences. Thoroughly engaging and beautifully made, this film demonstrates what a determined soul can achieve. It will make you weep and smile, all the while appreciating life’s tender workings and the constant movement of time.
The September 30 screening of Ari’s Theme is a Relaxed Screening. Relaxed Screenings are open to ANYONE who would benefit from a less restrictive and sensory-friendly experience. Learn more about Relaxed Screenings here.
Sept 28: Q&A with directors Nathan Drillot & Jeff Lee Petry and Ari Kinarthy
Opening Gala Screening – September 26, 6:30 pm – Standby Tickets
Standby tickets will be available to the Opening Gala screening of Ari’s Theme on September 26 at 6:30 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse. At the Opening Gala screening, members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will live score key passages within the film and lend Ari’s compositions even greater resonance.
In Partnership with
Supported by
Media Partner
Ari Kinarthy, Allan Slade BMT MTA, Johannes Winkler, Leah Kinarthy, Elior Kinarthy
Canada
2024
In English with open captions
May frighten young children
Open to youth!
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Directors
Producer
Nathan Drillot, Jeff Lee Petry
Screenwriter
Nathan Drillot, Jeff Lee Petry, Ari Kinarthy
Cinematography
Nathan Drillot, Jeff Lee Petry
ANIM
Scott Lougheed
Editor
Benjamin Schuetze, Graham Fortin
Nathan Drillot
Jeff Lee Petry
Nathan Drillot and Jeff Lee Petry have been working under the moniker SALAZAR for over a decade producing and directing award-winning documentaries. Highlights include their feature documentary Wizard Mode premiering at Hot Docs and being acquired by Netflix US, showrunning a ten-episode docu-series, The Wrestlers, premiering on Viceland, and a Juno and Grammy nomination for best full-length music documentary with Tegan and Sara. Their short documentary Handsome and Majestic (2016) was included in the BFI Flare Film Festival’s 5 Films for Freedom campaign.
Filmography: Wizard Mode (2016)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Foreigner
An Iranian teenager who recently immigrated to Canada is desperate to make friends at her new high school. Pressured to dye her hair blonde, she unleashes a demonic force rooted within her. A humourous coming-of-age horror from Ava Maria Safai.
Clan of the Painted Lady
Jennifer Chiu’s engrossing documentary explores the Hakka — a people, a language, and a culture that have been obscured for far too long. Tracing her own lineage back to from Canada to China, the director creates an illuminating, bravely personal film.
Finch & Midland
Timothy Yeung’s film tells the story of four Hong Kong immigrants living in Scarborough, Ontario. With exceptional performances from its four leads, the film explores the Asian diaspora, social malaise, and the hardships of life under late capitalism.
The Essence of Eva
Tragically dying years before she’d rise to global fame, Eva Cassidy was an uncompromising artist whose transcendent voice still resonates. With never-before-heard recordings and footage, this intimate portrait captures the person behind the legend.
4: Um, womanhood
Shorts from: Canada, Columbia, France, Netherlands, Sweden.
The Strange Little Cat
This droll, perfectly executed comedy chronicles a day in the life of a multigenerational family prepping a celebratory dinner in their cramped Berlin apartment. Putting daily life’s absurdities on display, it's an exciting choreography of the quotidian.