Boxcutter + Bonnarien

Nov 28 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
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Location: Ada Slaight Hall in Daniels Spectrum | 585 Dundas Street East

*This film is sold out, but we will start a rush line an hour before the screening.

Boxcutter

Year: 2024
Genre: Drama
Country: Canada
Language: In English with subtitles
Length: 88 m
Advisory: Mild violence, coarse language
Watch Trailer

After his laptop is stolen, an aspiring rapper goes on a quest across the gentrifying streets of Toronto to recover his music in time for the event that could change his life – a meeting with a Grammy Award winning producer.

Directed by

Reza Dahya is known for his work as a host and producer of OTA Live on FLOW 93.5 FM in Toronto. He transitioned into filmmaking with his short films, ESHA, FIVE DOLLARS and THE WORST PART and recently completed his debut feature, BOXCUTTER.

Director will be in attendance

Bonnarien

Year: 2023
Genre: Drama
Country: French Guiana
Language: In French with English subtitles
Length: 21 m

Mauricette Bonnarien, a dock worker at the French Guiana port of Dégrad-des-Cannes, is a slam poet who is determined to change her last name from the colonial name that was imposed onto her ancestors. Struggling against the inefficiency of French bureaucracy, Mauricette instead uses her craft of slam poetry to begin the process of healing this long-standing generational trauma.

CANADIAN PREMIERE

Directed by

Adiel Goliot is a French screenwriter, filmmaker and slam poetry artist. Goliot was the French slam-poet winner in 2020 and a semi-finalist in the 2021 Slam World competition. He also gives writing and slam workshops in prisons and schools and is currently developing a new short film about the world of incarceration. BONNARIEN is his first short film.

Talkback

Speakers

Join us after BOXCUTTER for a talkback with director Reza Dahya and members of the film’s cast and crew.

Speakers and panelists

Director

Crew

Soko Negash is a Toronto-based producer whose works spans documentary, narrative, podcasts, and everything in between. Some of her recent credits include Amar Wala’s feature film SHOOK (TIFF ‘24), the CBC Gem series WITNESS (Hot Docs ‘23), the Emmy-nominated doc series HIP-HOP EVOLUTION, and Reza Dahya’s much-anticipated feature debut, BOXCUTTER.

Cast

Ashton James is a St. Lucian-Canadian actor who was trained at the CFC;s Actors Conservatory. James’ notable work includes his Canadian Screen Award nominated role in REVENGE OF THE BLACK BEST FRIEND and recent work in FIVE DAYS AT THE MEMORIAL, LAW & ORDER: TORONTO, and the upcoming remake of YOUNGBLOOD. Reza Dahya’s debut feature, BOXCUTTER, in which James was the lead actor, premiered at AIFF.

Cast

ZOE is an award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, and actress from Toronto known for her energetic live performances and genre-blending rhythms. ZOE’s work has been platformed and awarded by Toronto’s 2020 edition of Nuit Blanche and Trinity Square Video and she has performed at iconic venues such as the Drake Underground and the El Mocambo.

Cast

Viphusan Vani is a Tamil-Canadian actor from Toronto who is passionate about telling stories that capture the depth of human struggle with authenticity and beauty. As an emerging artist, he is dedicated to growing his craft and creating emotionally resonant narratives that connect with others on a personal level.

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Thank you to our Co-presenters and Community Partners!

Co-presenters