We Will Be Brave

From photography and beatboxing to poetry and martial arts, the “Good Guise” collective sparks conversations around healthy masculinity through art. They welcome others to join in their mission of finding radical alternatives to shame and punishment for men who have harmed, or been harmed. How can a group of racialised men confront their privilege and power, while also honouring the hurt that society punishes them for feeling? How can we move away from punishment towards healing?

We Will Be Brave talks about men’s mental health in a way that is honest, vulnerable, timely and very rarely seen on screen. Explorations around what masculinity is, and re-evaluations of what it could be are intertwined with revelations about the unique mental health challenges faced by men of colour. Join an exploration of positive masculinity.

Co-presented by the Sundar Prize Film Festival and Sher Vancouver, this is a special screening in dedication to Tracey Friesen, founder of Story Money Impact.

This screening is made possible by the Ontario Arts Council.

Audience talkback with director Chrisann Hessing & film protagonist Balu to follow after the film!

Chrisann Hessing, director
Chrisann Hessing is a documentary filmmaker and impact producer based in Toronto. She has produced award-winning short films that have screened at Hot Docs, RIDM, Global Impact Film Festival and the London Asian Film Festival. Her work has been supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Inspirit Foundation, BravoFACT! Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent and Telefilm Canada. Chrisann’s latest film, Turning Tables, won Best Short Documentary at the 43rd American Indian Film Festival, and has screened in over 30 film festivals internationally. In 2020, Chrisann was selected as one of Reelworld’s Emerging 20 and named Talent to Watch by Telefilm Canada.

Balu, film protagonist, musician
Recognized by Rolling Stone India in 2018 as a global artist to watch, Balu is an R&B singer and beatboxer blending South Asian roots with Toronto’s vibrant culture. Born to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, he was raised in Toronto’s Afro-Caribbean neighborhood, shaping his East-meets-West sound. Influenced by icons like Prabhu Deva, Nina Simone, and Michael Jackson, Balu turned to R&B to navigate his struggles. His music, played on global radio, reflects his journey, anxieties, and dreams. With a vision to redefine South Asian representation in film and music, he aims to break stereotypes and inspire through storytelling.