TIFF premiere shot in Riverdale by local director

TIFF premiere shot in Riverdale by local director. North Riverdale filmmaker Kazik Radwanski's film, 'Out in that Deep Blue Sea', will have its world premiere at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 12, 2009. Photo/JAMIE CAMPBELL

Called Out in that Deep Blue Sea, the 16-minute short is part of the festival's Short Cuts Canada Programme 2 series.

Lifelong north Riverdale resident Kazik Radwanski is the dramatic short film's director, while Ottawa native Dan Montgomery serves as its producer. Both met while studying Image Arts at Ryerson University and have gone on to collaborate on various projects through their production company, Medium Density Fireboard Films (MDFF).

The story of an overworked and unhappy middle-aged real estate agent, Out in that Deep Blue Sea is the final entry in the 'MDFF Trilogy' of films, which explore challenges faced in different stages of life.

Princess Margaret Blvd, their 14-minute-long film, screened at last year's TIFF. That film was selected to be on Canada's Top Ten shorts list, an annual event that raises awareness about and celebrates Canadian film. The narrative tells the touching story of Isabelle, who in her twilight years defiantly confronts the later stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Actress Gina Sylvester compellingly conveys the emotions Isabelle faces as she comes to terms with the fact that she can no longer live the life she knows.

Princess Margaret Blvd. has gone on to be screened at several film festivals and events across the globe.

The first part of the series is a short film called Assault, which won the Norman Jewison Filmmaker Award.

Because of his local connection, Radwanski said he felt inspired and was able to easily find ideal places to shoot his latest short.

"I was very familiar with all of the locations," he said, adding that a portion of the film was even shot in his parents' Withrow Park-area home.

"There's a very strong Riverdale connection. I like working with real people."

Several friends and family members are also in the film.

"Even my parents are in it at times," he chuckled.

Dozens of area residents also took part in the project.

"We literally cast people on their door steps. We knocked on maybe 100 different doors in Riverdale," said Radwanski, whose father is actually a local real estate agent.

"People were really cool when we went door to door. About 50 per cent said yes when we asked them to be in the film."

John Pratt, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 25 years now, said that back in June the producer-director team came knocking at his door asking if he'd like to be a part of their film project.

"They were very friendly and I was happy to help out aspiring filmmakers," said Pratt, who was one of the homeowners the film's main character - played by first-time actor Peter Bavis - called on.

"This was definitely different from my day job. I've never done anything like this before but I'd be up to doing something like this again."

Pratt, who works in retail inventory management, was pleasantly surprised to learn the film he appeared in is having its world premiere at TIFF.

He's looking forward to checking out the short when it's shown for the first time Saturday, Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. at the Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W.

"I think it will be fun," enthused Pratt, who has yet to see the finished product.

Out of that Deep Blue will also be screened Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:15 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Ontario's Jackman Hall, 317 Dundas St. W.

Visit www.tiff.net for information about purchasing tickets to the screenings.