Victoria Day: A Relative Tale of Teen Drama

Canadian cinema is notorious for it's use of the Anti-hero as a protagonist.  We tend glorify the mediocre "every-man", and root for the loser to get his comeuppance.  Some people think it's just our way of distancing ourselves from epic American protagonists, others think it's an inescapable aspect of the stories we tell as Canadians.  I can't particularly argue with either of these points, but I say - when it works, work it.

Victoria Day is a coming-of-age story centered around Ben Spektor (Mark Rendall), a high school student in 1988 whose pubescent problems are dwarfed when a local teen goes missing.  Despite the stigma surrounding the disappearance, the movie concentrates on Ben's reaction to the tragedy and how it affects his attitude towards everyday life.  His romantic efforts become more complex than maybe he would like, his hockey team is mid-playoffs and lacking concentration (which Ben doesn't appear to care too much about given the

 circumstances), and his immigrant parents are constantly pushing him to prove his worth.  In one week, Ben must become a man; a situation that is both confusing and challenging for the poor teen.  

I think the Anti-hero is effective in this application.  Ben is not quite miserable enough to seem pathetic, and remains relatable despite his melancholy.  He is a solid central character, and you can't help but hope he comes out on top.  Setting him against the angst of the late eighties is also effective, besides being visually interesting.  

The style borderlines '90's grunge, and creates beautiful cinematographic opportunities.  Children of the '80's and '90's will pick up on significant allusions to the era (particularly Gretzky and the Oilers), and contemporary teens will find the characters universal enough to ally with today.  This one is a thinker and a feeler, so be prepared to interpret subtext while you're enjoying the bush parties, fireworks, and hockey games.  Ben's best friends provide the comic relief (which, yes, can be relieving at times), so don't assume this flick is all furrowed brows and crossed-arms.  See it, and enjoy it for what it is. 

 Victoria Day is my pick for favorite Canadian screening, and is playing Saturday, September 26th (today) at The Globe Theater - Downstairs at 12:00PM, and Sunday, September 27th, same place, at 9:30PM.              

Victoria Day

Victoria Day is a film that hits close to the heart when it comes to being a teenager in a household with parents who immigrated to Canada leaving behind everything they knew to give their children more opportunities than they ever had. Mark Rendall’s character, Ben Spector makes me reminisce about my teenage years as an Indo-Canadian youth, and my parents expectations for me. David Bezmozgiz beautifully captures the internal turmoil of a teenager trying to make their parents happy versus themselves without over exaggerating the issues faced in teenage life. Most teenagers find themselves struggling between their desires, and their parents desires for them, regardless of being an immigrant or not. Although, it is not usually that which drives teenagers to do what they do, rather it is trying to fit in, being cool, friends, girlfriends/boyfriends, and just good o’l fun the kind that sometimes can get you into trouble. You know you’ve been there, and if you haven’t (which I doubt), chances are you didn’t get caught doing stupid teenage stuff, or you still just have not owned up to it.

Yuri’s (Ben's father) desire’s in the film were centered around seeing his son be scouted for hockey, so that he could be the next Gretzky. The scenes shot in this film around the family members, and friends watching or talking about hockey were all too familiar. I’m sure if you don’t identify with this film in regards to the immigrant experience you will identify with it when it comes to hockey, our sport of choice in Canada. Hockey seems to be something that all Canadian’s old and new love.

You can catch Victoria Day at 12:00 noon on Saturday September 26th, or at 9:30 pm on Sunday September 27th at the Globe Theatre.