Review of My Winnipeg

Misty, water coloured memories

Guy Maddin's latest film is definitely a break from his long followed approach, but not too sharp of one. Those familiar with his earlier films like Saddest Music in the World and Careful will know of Maddin's penchant for cribbing heavily from the aesthetic and traditions of the silent film era. He frequently uses non-sync sound and artificially ages his images, lending a sense of old timey fragility to his contemporary fantasies.

This time around Maddin goes at his hometown of Winnipeg and childhood memories through documentary. It is a new genre for Maddin, but stylistically My Winnipeg still has a great deal in common with his earlier fiction films. Much of the film is spent roaming through the streets of the prairie city, recounting anecdotes of the bitter cold, the checked past of hockey teams, and the antics of extraordinary citizens. Some fiction, some fictionalized, and some straight fact. And don't simply assume that the strangest of them are the tall-tales.

There are also several scenes portraying actors hired to recreate Maddin's own family and play out some of the more disturbing moments he recalls in growing up. Accompanying all of this is a familiar maudlin voice over that should help Maddin fans feel right at home.

I am a massive fan of Maddin's films Archangel, Careful, and his most recent narrative, Brand Upon the Brain. These surreal, old fashioned fairy tales are something Maddin can do outstandingly well, but he has been treading that water for twenty years now. Even though My Winnipeg is not as successful as those other films, it is still entertaining and it is very nice to see Maddin attempt something new. While I had some problems with the piece (in particular, the jarring inclusion of some shots in colour digital video when the vast majority of the movie is in black and white film), My Winnipeg should open up new vistas for Maddin. I look forward to seeing what will grow out of this experiment.

My Winnipeg should be seeing a theatrical roll out this summer.

Aaron.
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Posted on 02/08/08 by: Aaron 01:23 PM