CanCulture's executive team look back on the Toronto International Film Festival #TIFF23

Spanning from the 7th to the 17th of September, Mariana, Caelan and John reflect on their experience attending the prestigious film festival

By Mariana Schuetze, Caelan Monkman, John Vo

One of the most fun and enriching experiences for us was to be on the red carpet, next to other media outlets and talking to incredible filmmakers (Mariana Schuetze/CanCulture)

Mariana Schuetze: I have always had this dream of watching many films in one day. A "double-feature" at the movies. But not even during “Barbenheimer,” I did that. So it's not an exaggeration when I say covering the 48th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for CanCulture this year was a dream come true.

Back in June this year, I and the other two members of this term's executive team, Caelan Monkman and John Vo, decided to apply to press at TIFF in 2023. Very hopeful and unsure of what would happen, we quickly filled out an application and submitted it. A couple of weeks later, we got it: Press Accreditation at the Toronto International Film Festival.

What does Press Accreditation give you?

Mariana Schuetze: Getting Media Accreditation at TIFF offers you a few tickets to public screenings, some networking events and countless opportunities to catch Press & Industry events. This includes P&I screenings of films, which are held on a first-come-first-serve basis. Another exciting opportunity we had access to were the red carpets! As press, we get to ask for red carpet placement and interview or photograph our favourite artists.

John Vo: When we got sent our emails proudly saying that CanCulture Magazine would be granted press access to the festival, it felt like a hazy dream. I usually err on the side of optimism, but my mind droned with the loud thoughts that we would be rejected and turned away. Would it be truly surprising since I’m sure thousands in Canada and across the world apply each year for the chance to cover TIFF? Receiving that email felt like finding the coveted holy grail. Not only because we could see tons of films but also the confirmation that rising publications like ours would be given the chance to participate in one of the most anticipated events Toronto offers.

Caelan Monkman: I remember being so excited when I opened my email and read that CanCulture had gotten press accreditation approval. The press accreditation meant that we could cover red carpets and industry events, as well as attend film screenings specifically for press and industry passholders. More than that, though, press accreditation was validation that all our work as student journalists and members of CanCulture Magazine had paid off, and we were well on our way to being professional film journalists.

What was the experience like?

M: In 10 days I got to glimpse into at least 15 people's minds. I got to know 15 unique stories. In the 10 days of the festival this year, I watched 15 films. Running from theatre to theatre was a nerve-racking experience of its own, but the best part of it all was living through so many different experiences. At the end of the festival, I genuinely felt like at least a whole month had gone by.

As a press member with the opportunity to basically watch as many films as I wanted (or could), I was really excited to just sit down, watch a movie and exercise my critical thinking. During most films, I had a small notebook and a pen and I sneakily tried to take some notes during the screenings. They are a bit all over the place but turned out to be really useful for me to separate what happened in what film, after watching four movies in a day.

J: Toronto streets are a familiar picture: bustling people with unique dreams trying to make it to their destinations, cars blaring their horns in all their road rage and the streets lined with restaurants and boutiques. The only time the city becomes still is during the witching hour. Toronto couldn’t be any more busier, right? Wrong!

As I headed towards my last film for the 48th Toronto International Film Festival on a Saturday afternoon, I scanned the streets. I became overwhelmed by packs of people eagerly looking for the next celebrity to spot or waiting in the rush line to potentially see a movie. When people talk about sensory overload, TIFF should come to mind.

Scanning through all the moments I experienced, I smiled fondly and sighed in relief that it was over. What can I say that isn’t obvious? To start, seeing actors and directors in front of you can be weirdly anticlimactic. Like “Wow, you’re a human being just like the rest of us but with money and status.” Still, I definitely had my moments where it struck me that these famous and talented folks came up to the bustling and smelly streets of Toronto all in the name of celebrating film. The art of being in films, making films, conversing about films.

C: The first thing that comes to mind is the sheer scale of the festival. There are hundreds of films screening at the festival, each with their own casts (well, some with their own casts, thanks to the SAG-AFTRA strike), crews, production and distribution teams, etc. The festival takes place in various locations near the TIFF Bell Lightbox in downtown Toronto, so when you’re surrounded by so many other festival-goers milling from one venue to the next, it can definitely be a bit of a sensory overload.

Although at times overwhelming, the experience was immensely positive. You can tell that everyone at the festival — from the volunteers to the press to the fans to the celebrities — are all in attendance because of their shared passion and love for cinema. Getting to see so many films while surrounded by those sorts of people is incredible.

Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, there were still plenty of big stars on the TIFF red carpets! One of my favourite moments was getting to interview legendary New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, who was at the festival for his latest film, Next Goal Wins.

The downside

M: As you would imagine, the biggest downside at a film festival like TIFF is not having enough time to watch everything you want to. In talking to my fellow friends and journalists covering the festival, I came across so many interesting and new stories to watch, but I just didn't have the time, opportunity or energy to watch them.

Also, when choosing what films to watch from the hundreds of options being offered at the festival, I was drawn to stories similar to mine. At least for this first-time experience, I don't believe I went too far out of my comfort zone with my choices, and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed everything I watched. However, my goal for next year is to certainly watch some pieces I normally wouldn't at the theatre.

J: After the first day and the adrenaline wore off, the exhaustion finally started to kick in. Ten days of attending events and films never sounded like an easy feat to start but pairing that with balancing school work and eating regular meals was more challenging than defeating the Roman empire. I like to joke that they should change placing TIFF in September so that student journalists won’t pull their hair out but I suppose if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

C: The festival is an all-day affair for 11 straight days. That means that it’s easy to tell yourself you should be doing more — seeing more films, attending more red carpets, writing more articles — even when, in reality, that may not actually be feasible. As students, we were all balancing schoolwork and personal responsibilities on top of our festival coverage, something that most of the festival’s journalists didn’t have to do. Ultimately, I just had to remind myself that I’m human and that as much as I would like to see every film that’s screening, I also needed to make time for my personal wellbeing and school responsibilities.

Our favourite films

J: We obviously can’t talk about actors and writers in films without addressing the elephant in the room. All I can say is that CanCulture will always believe in paying artists fair wages. If you did not already have that mindset, this festival cemented that belief. All the films curated for the schedule were made with the love and passion that comes from humans. The lived journeys and intricate thought processes translated onto the big screen are something no robot or studio executive could replicate. This was prevalent, especially during the Q&As post-film where the cast and directors of the film would come out and describe in grand detail why they continue to do what they love. Cinema, from international films to documentaries to wacky comedies, should come from the hands and minds of artists who are paid fairly for their work. Out of all the lovely films at TIFF available to see, my top three would definitely be The Boy and the Heron, Concrete Utopia and Dicks: The Musical.

M: The majority of the films I watched told women or queer people's stories, and were mostly directed by women or non-binary people. This specific way of looking at life certainly shaped my experience at the festival. In the end, though it's hard to choose, my favourite film I watched was Toll (or Pedágio, in its original language, Brazilian Portuguese), directed by Brazilian director Carolina Marcowickz. CanCulture had the incredible opportunity to interview the director and the star of the film, Meave Jenkins.

C: There were a lot of excellent films that I got the chance to see at the festival. While hard to choose, my favourite film was Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction, which also happened to be the winner of TIFF’s People’s Choice Award. It was funny, heartfelt and conveyed an important and necessary message without feeling preachy or pretentious. Other films I really enjoyed include Ariane Louis-Seize’s horror-comedy Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, Viggo Mortensen’s Western drama The Dead Don’t Hurt, and Weston Razooli’s charming and mystical adventure film Riddle of Fire. And of course, I would be remiss not to mention the newly remastered iconic concert film Stop Making Sense, which, although I had seen it before, was incredibly fun to see on the big screen and had me and the rest of the TIFF audience dancing along in our seats to every single song.

Checkout our Film section for some exciting reviews.

Overall: our takeaways

M: I think the biggest takeaway from this experience, for me, is that I want to do this. I want to be surrounded by film in any way I can, be that as an entertainment journalist or someone who works in film. Movie magic is real and TIFF was full of it. "For the love of film!"

J: In our pursuit of attending one of the world's biggest and most renowned film festivals internationally, I obtained something grander than I ever imagined. Being at TIFF could have been so daunting if I had done it alone, but with my fellow masthead members and the other students who attended with different outlets, I felt secure knowing I could lean on them for support. We got to bond over films, dissect them to the nth degree and applaud in packed theatres. This is a longwinded form of saying “Maybe the real treasure was the friends we made along the way” but less corny.

C: TIFF was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m incredibly grateful I got to be a part of it. The films I saw were excellent, and although by the end of the festival, I was a bit ‘film-ed out’ and in need of a good long nap, I left feeling like I’d experienced something truly special. It was also validating to be surrounded by, and working alongside, other industry professionals. Looking down the red carpet and realizing you were standing a few metres away from CTV and Letterboxd — not to mention literal celebrities — definitely created some “pinch me” moments.

Masthead Wrapped: CanCulture’s top Canadian songs of 2023

13 Canadian tracks encapsulating our year 

By Nalyn Tindall

With Spotify wrapped, making waves once again, and exposing the most vulnerable for their fascinating taste in music, the masthead decided to do them a favour and compile our favourite songs. Who cares if your top artist of 2023 was “Brown Noise,” tell your friends you listened to these Canadian hits instead. Here are our top picks for our favourite Canadian songs this year. 

Anna-Giselle Funes-Eng, Multimedia Editor

“I’d Have to Think About It” by Leith Ross

I love Leith Ross with all my heart! I got to see them play live in June and they are majestic. I love how romantically dramatic this song is. I listen to it whenever I feel like screaming in a soft indie-folk way.

Caelan Monkman, Managing Editor

“Gigafire” by Half Moon Run 

Half Moon Run is a band that continuously impresses me. The Montreal trio is consistently reinventing itself, with their latest album, Salt, being no exception. While the album is full of solid tracks from start to finish, “Gigafire” is a personal favourite of mine. The deep growls of the electric guitar paired with a lush arrangement of strings and piano make for a truly cathartic listening experience, not to mention frontman Devon Portielje’s stellar vocal performance on the song. 

Talia Saley, Food Editor

“Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne 

I grew up listening to Avril Lavigne and she has been an iconic Canadian artist in my life. Whenever I hear her songs on the radio, or in public, I’m transported back to my childhood. It makes me feel rebellious whenever it listen to her!

Vanessa Tiberio, Social Media Manager

“Fever Pitch” by Hotel Mira

This song is by Vancouver-based Indie-rock band Hotel Mira, one of my favourite bands for the past six or so years. “Fever Pitch” catapults listeners into the sunny embrace of summer vibes with upbeat melodies and a strong, boppy chorus. I can’t help but nod my head along to the beat of this song while a smile inevitably forms across my face when I listen to it.

Mariana Schuetze, Editor In Chief

“Edge of the Earth” by The Beaches

One of my top songs from this year is “Edge of the Earth” by The Beaches. In 2023 I started working at TMU’s radio station, Met Radio, so I’ve been slowly getting introduced to a variety of new songs. The Beaches’ latest album, Blame My Ex, has been charting on Met Radio’s charts for a bit now, so I came across their songs a couple of times. Ever since I listened to “Edge of the Earth,” it hasn’t really come out of my mind. It’s a really fun song, I really like the beats and their vocals on this song, really makes me want to get up and dance.

Grace Henkel, Arts Editor

“A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell

I love it because the lyrics and guitar strumming are so raw. Joni’s vocals tell a painful and beautiful story that feels timeless. I have so much nostalgia attached to that song. 

John Vo, Managing Editor

“Say it Right” by Nelly Furtado 

In the plethora of proclaimed quintessential“pop princess” albums, Nelly Furtado’s Loose remains a classic on 2000s playlists and in any trashy club wanting to appeal to the masses. For me, “Say It Right” is the perfect representation of the album: sensual, confident and catchy as heck.

Khushy Vashisht, Features Editor

"i wanna be your right hand" by Nemahsis

This has been my favourite Canadian song of the year because of the imagery it sets and how it perfectly captures feelings of turmoil, inferiority and determination fuelled by said turmoil.

Sarah Grishpul, Film Editor

“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive

This song brings me back to memories of my dad and my weekly driving trips. We would blast “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” on the radio along with several other classic hits from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. During these trips, we'd often break out in rhythmic headbanging and off-pitch singing while tearing down the road to the public library. Since moving away from home and adopting a public transit commuter lifestyle, those small memories of carpool karaoke feel utterly nostalgic.

Tara Khoo, Social Media & Graphics Director

“Music Box” by Leith Ross 

I saw them live this year and it was the most beautiful experience ever. I love listening to this song after a long day.

Sena Law, Fashion Editor

“glo up +” by dci. and damn drone

Featured briefly in Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist, “Glo Up +” is featured on Different Dimensions 1.5, a summer collaborative project by Toronto artist damn drone and dci. from Montreal. This energetic track features dynamic vocals over an enchanting instrumental, taking influences from genres of hip-hop, pop and plug-n-b. The two artists compliment each other in their vocal deliveries and range, giving us this summer (and frankly, year-round) bop. 

Khadijah Ghauri, Graphic Design Manager

“Virginia Beach” by Drake 

This is my favourite song because I’m a huge fan of Drake, and he’s truly my Canadian legend! 

Nalyn Tindall, Music Editor

“In Too Deep” by Sum 41 

Whenever I feel the need to dive back into childhood nostalgia, this song does the trick. The raw intro instantly transports me to the back of my parent's 2005 Ford Focus, driving to elementary school and listening to the local radio station playing rock hits from “the 80s, 90s and now.” To me, Sum 41 is the epitome of early 2000s Canadian rock. I can turn on this hit any time throughout the year to gain an instant burst of energy. From the epic guitar riffs to the catchy chorus, this song will always be a masterpiece in my books.  

What was your top Canadian song of 2023? If you’re having trouble deciding, listen to the playlist of our favourite Canadian songs here on Spotify. 

Beer 101: The Devil’s in the Details

By Mark McKelvie

The dark orange gold look of the pilsner fills most of the pint when it’s served on tap, finished off by a fluffy white head. First, a clean scent of malt, then it hits the taste buds, a soft but noticeable bitterness accompanies the cold relief the beer brings.

The average beer drinker may not make any of these observations when they drink, but for cicerones, beer aficionados trained in the storage, serving and tasting of beer, the devil is in the details.

“Everything from the storage of the beer to how the beer is served impacts how good the beer will be,” said Gavin Harper, master beer cicerone. “Any part of the process that is done wrong can mess up the beer as a whole.”

A master beer cicerone is the highest level a beer expert can reach. It takes at least six to eight years and thousands of dollars to obtain the certification, and according to the Cicerone Certification Program, there are only 16 people in the world who have.

“I always say finding the best beer really is a matter of personal preference,” he said. “There is no specific ‘best beer’, it all depends on how you’re feeling that day and what you’re eating the beer with.”

In Toronto, dozens of craft beer breweries have popped up since the 2000s, looking for economic prosperity in return for tantalizing the taste buds of beer fans. There are over 30 of them, like Halo, which brew honey beer.

Steamwhistle’s brewery is located in downtown Toronto, right next to the CN Tower. They brew their beer in a converted roundhouse, their brewing equipment built into the old façade of the building. To keep their brew as pure as possible, they only use four ingredients: water, yeast, barley and hops. The shelf life of their beer is only about four months, but they say the lack of longevity is made up for by its unique taste.

“We’re really proud of the fact that we only use four ingredients in our brew,” said Steamwhistle Brewery retail store co-ordinator Shane Dovey. “No matter how big we get, we’re still going to consider ourselves as a company that’s geared to what Canadians want to drink.”

But with companies boasting their non-artificial brewing recipes and locally sourced ingredients, the question remains of whether or not this approach is economically viable. The number of breweries in Ontario increased by 20 per cent in 2016, but companies like Molson and Labatt dominate the domestic beer market, leaving little room for new brewery start-ups. Beer consumption in Ontario has been decreasing since 2012.

“The marketing for a craft brewery is very broad. Everything from the name of the brewery to the design of the bottle matters,” said David Hardisty, consumer trend and marketing expert from the University of British Columbia. “People like going down to the local independent brewer in their neighbourhood and these independent brewers can succeed on a smaller scale, but like any small business, there’s a very high chance that they will fail within the first five years.”

Billy Woolford is a second-year politics student at Ryerson University who enjoys heading to Lou Dawg’s on the corner of Gerrard and Church streets to have drinks after class. His drink of choice is usually a bottle of Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc, a fresh and fruity white beer, brewed in France.

“I like it because it tastes fruity and sweet, a beer that doesn’t taste like beer,” Woolford says. “I know is that it’s cheaper than some higher end beers and it tastes good to me.”

Kronenbourg is owned by the massive beer conglomerate Carlsburg, which employs over 41,000 people around the world. Some beer critics have found fault with shoddy labour practices and the lack of attention to detail that a microbrewery would give to their brew.

Although it is cheap, some beer connoisseurs will only stick to local brews.  

“Within the beer culture, sometimes there’s a negative connotation with mass produced beer and large beer companies,” Harper said. “Regardless of the price or the type of beer, the evaluation techniques are always going to be the same, and I always tell people to find something they enjoy over something more expensive.”

22 Blockbusters You Never Knew Were Filmed in Canada

By Brent Smyth

While Canada may not have its own version of Hollywood, many blockbusters choose their northern neighbours to film key scenes and even entire movies! Whether to save money or the incredible scenery, here are the top 22 films to have been shot in Canada, and just wait for 16 and 21.

#1- Titanic (1997)

During the true sinking of the Titanic in 1912, Halifax was the closest port to the catastrophe, and the first to receive the distress signal. The ocean scenes in the film, which was in 1997 the most successful of all time- were shot near where the 1912 event occurred. In Halifax today over 100 victims of the sinking are buried near the port.

#2- Twilight (2008)

Forks High School in the Twilight films in real life is the David Fraser Secondary School in Vancouver. Throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver play host to the setting in three of the four movies in the series.

(The Hollywood Reporter)

#3- Good Will Hunting (1997)

Shot in only five months, this movie was created in Boston and Toronto, and all the movie’s famous classroom scenes were filmed at the University of Toronto and Central Technical School, not Harvard and MIT.

#4- Interstellar (2014)

While a solid ¾ of the film is in space, the initial farm scenes and opening locations are all found in Alberta. Including Calgary, Canmore, Okotoks, Fort Macleod and outlying areas.

(MTV UK)

#5- Mean Girls (2004)

Set in Illinois, a majority of the movie was shot in Toronto at Malvern Collegiate Institute and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, and the famous Jungle mall scene was shot in Etobicoke, in Sherway Gardens.

#6- Inception (2010)

Truly a movie of international locations, inception takes place in England, Morocco and France. However the Fortress Mountain Ski Resort in the Canadian Rockies at Kananaskis, just outside of Calgary served as the snowy mountain fortress sequence, the deepest dream level.

(Rolling Stone)

#7- Billy Madison (1995)

Sandler’s character in the film progresses through all the grades of school, and the movie itself progresses through quite a few locations in Toronto, including Northern Secondary School, John Ross Robertson Junior Public School, the Parkwood Estate in Oshawa and several other locations around Toronto, Oshawa and Stouffville.

#8- Blades of Glory (2007)

Putting the city’s Olympic history to use, the film used the Montreal Olympic Stadium for the outdoor skating scenes, and the movie’s signature chase scene was shot in Montreal’s Olympic Village.

(El Parana)

#9- IT (2017)

The remake of Stephen King’s clown horror finds its home in Port Hope, Ont. The local Queen Street Tattoo parlour was transformed to Derry Ice Cream for the film.

(Pop Geeks)

#10- The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Seemingly filmed in New York City, for four nights in downtown Toronto Yonge Street was closed for filming. And because of how accommodating Toronto’s mayor at the time had been, the Eaton Centre and the University of Toronto also play a role in the film.

(Mental Floss)

#11- Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Instead of flying to France for the European scenes, film crews travelled to Montreal and Quebec City to avoid breaking the bank while still getting the european feel.

(Nerdist)

#12- The Neverending Story (1984)

Although most of the movie was shot in Germany, the alleyway Bastian finds himself chased into is Vancouver’s Blood Alley in Gastown. And at the very end of the movie, Flying Luck Dragon Falcor does a Vancouver fly-by.

(Time Out)

#13- Capote (2005)

It may have been set in the flatlands of Kansas, but Capote was instead shot in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba. Some notable sites to see are the Manitoba Legislative Building, Gilbart’s Funeral Home and Stony Mountain Institution, which plays a prominent role in the film.

(Mental Floss)

#14- My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Starring Canadian actress Nia Vardalos, the film may have been set in Chicago, but the filming didn't draw Vardalos far from home. A number of downtown spots including Toronto’s Greek Town played home to the film.

(The Telegraph)

#15- Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Although set in Wyoming, it is clear the Canadian Rockies are the breathtaking backdrop seen in the film. Sites where the filming actually took place include Calgary, Elbow Falls, Cowley and Fort Macleod.

(The Ace Black Blog)

#16- Chicago (2002)

Iconic Toronto locales such as Osgoode Hall, Queen’s Park, Elgin Theatre and Union Station all had roles in the film, and Toronto has frequently played the part of Chicago in blockbuster films, and this musical was no exception.

(Addicted2Success)

#17- Cool Runnings (1993)

Loosely based on the 1988 Jamaican national bobsled team that competed in the Olympics in Calgary, this movie stays true to its real-life counterparts and had a majority of its filmign done in Calgary.

(Hollywood Reporter)

#18- Juno (2007)

Although set in Minnesota, Juno was actually shot in various locations throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and White Rock, and this American-Canadian comedy has gone down as a Canadian classic.

(Hollywood Reporter)

#19- The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

The highest-grossing Hollywood movie ever to be filmed in Canada, this American action film finds its locations in Toronto and Montreal, as well as globally in places such as Tokyo, Hawaii and Scotland.

(The Telegraph)

#20- Total Recall (2012)

Using the aid of CGI, Guelph, Ont. was converted into a post-apocalyptic London, and Toronto location such as the  University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus and Roy Thomson Hall stood in for stations within the planet’s internal transit system, The Fall. Total Recall remains one of the largest budget films shot in Toronto.

(PLay

#21- American Psycho (2000)

Considering the word ‘American’ is in the title, don't be alarmed when it is revealed Bateman’s office is in the TD Centre, serving as a substitute for the Seagram Building in New York City, which were both designed by architect Mies Van der Rohe. Additionally, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, The King Edward Hotel’s Consort Bar, The Senator diner and several more of the city’s now-defunct restaurants and clubs played host to Patrick Bateman and his friends on film.

(The Telegraph)

#22- The Revenant (2015)

Shot in Alberta, the winter it was being filmed proved difficult for the crew, as the snow started to melt before production was complete. This forced the final fight scene in the film to be shot in Argentina. Also due to the odd winter, Burnaby, B.C. was used for a few scenes.

This piece was edited by Isabelle Kirkwood

The Ethical Fashion Dilemma

By Raizel Harjosubroto

Everything in Zara was on sale. The $2 shirt sat in a pile of poorly stacked clothes. Employees ran back and forth frantically trying to keep the store clean as customers ravaged through racks underneath big, red “70% OFF” signs.

Meanwhile, a Zara employee was on her break and scrolling through Reformation on her phone, a company that sells ethically made clothing. Her jaw drops when she sees a similar shirt that costs $98.

That’s a $96 difference. For basically the same looking shirt.

“Where is this money even going?” she asks, exasperated.

Helena Artates, a creative industries student at Ryerson University, recently came to the realization that the clothes she was getting paid to sell, tidy and organized at Zara are not exactly ethically made. As a matter of fact, the labourers who made the clothing are reaching out for help so people know about their working conditions.

In this case, “ethically made” clothing means that people and the environment were not harmed in the process of creating the products to be sold.

However, when Artates was ready to take the leap into an ethical lifestyle, she was not prepared to pay nearly $100 for a t-shirt.

The full-time student started looking into more mindful brands when she began shopping online more often, about two to three years ago.

“I started finding brands like Reformation and Everlane. Before learning about their transparency… you just buy. You see something. You like it. You buy it. You don’t think about where it’s coming from, who it’s affecting and why it’s so cheap,” she says. “You just like that they are.”

In fact, whenever a customer receives a package from Everlane, they also get a breakdown of the cost of the jacket and where exactly each cent is going.

Artates particularly loves Reformation because, of course, they make “really cute clothes” while also caring about who makes them.

“When I realized that they cared about their workers--inside and outside of the factories--I thought to myself, ‘Why aren’t big brands like Zara and H&M making these types of moves when they have more opportunities to do these things?’” she says.

If there are brands out there that actively support their workers, care about their working conditions and don’t want to pollute the environment, why do people continue to shop at stores like Forever 21 and Gap, who don’t prioritize these things?

“They’re cheap. Everyone loves a good deal… As a student, you can’t afford to buy a $100 dress that was ethically made,” says Artates.

Though the clothes are cheap, that does not necessarily mean that they will last long. This portrays exactly what fast fashion is.

Fast fashion includes “fashion products that are made cheaply to meet the high demands of the consumer, allowing for quick changes on the retail floor,” according to Dr. Lu Ann Lafrenz.

Dr. Lafrenz is a fashion communications professor at Ryerson and her research focuses on sustainability. She says that she has been practicing ethical shopping before it became “important to the masses.”

“I still have clothes from university that I wear. I restyle clothes to update them; like changing bell-bottom pants to straight legs,” the professor says. “I only buy timely and classic pieces that have longevity and span seasons.”

But these “classic pieces” from ethical clothing brands that Dr. Lafrenz is talking about may not exactly adhere to a full-time student’s budget.

Environment and urban sustainability student Milleny Tan Rivero says that shopping at thrift stores was one of her only options while growing up since the prices are lower.

“When I started shopping for my own wardrobe as a pre-teen, I turned to thrift stores simply because used clothes were more affordable,” says the second-year student. “At this time, my mom would spew her anti-thrifting slander, claiming second-hand clothes would bring in bed bugs and carried stains, holes and stenches of strangers.”

In fear of bringing bed bugs into her home, Rivero resorted to depending on large retailers like H&M, Zara and Target.

“I felt like I needed to get sweet deals on more clothes than I needed. Large clothing companies need to invest resources into every level of the supply chain in order to yield long-term sustainability,” says the Ryerson student.

Just because companies are moving toward ethical and sustainable practices doesn’t necessarily mean that prices will decrease. At least not for a while.

“At this time, we are still trying to incorporate sustainability into products and until it becomes more prevalent and more suppliers have sustainable fabrics, the prices will still be more expensive,” said Dr. Lafrenz.

In the meantime, thrifting is a good alternative for students on a budget who want to shop ethically. Just make sure you don’t let the bed bugs bite.

Chicken Fingers of Toronto: Top 3 Con-Tenders

By Kelly Skjerven

You know that feeling you get when you go out to eat and hate almost everything on the menu? I have always been a picky eater, and I have a pro tip for you: chicken fingers are my holy grail (unless you’re vegetarian of course, in which tofu nuggets are great). I’ve always been a picky eater, so chances are I’m ordering chicken fingers almost any time I go out to a bar or restaurant. After my many travels as a chicken finger connoisseur, I've come up with a list of three bars and restaurants that have Toronto’s tastiest tenders!

1. Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Photo: Duke's Refresher + Bar

The atmosphere of this bar is amazing. Great music is always blasting, the drinks are delicious and the chicken fingers are of the highest stature. One day, I told my friend I was craving greasy pub fingers and we set off on a journey. We were in the downtown core and I had always wanted to try Duke’s, as it was recommended to me on countless occasions. I was not disappointed, to say the least. The menu describes the meal as “fresh, never frozen and breaded to order” and I believe it. The breading was so flavourful, and the chicken is so tender that the breading fell off of the meat completely.

2. Fran’s Restaurant and Bar

You can never go wrong with Fran’s. Or chicken fingers. Fran’s serves up some classic deep-fried chicken fingers whose flavours are only amplified when dipped in tangy plum sauce. There’s also an option to have them tossed in different sauces such as barbeque, honey garlic, hot and extra hot, which are an awesome way to vamp up your meal!. Whatever your preferred eating approach, you’ll definitely be licking the plate clean.

3. Imperial Pub

Photo: Kiara Julien

Last but not least, the ‘campus’ pub. Imperial is a great place to kick back after a long of day of lectures and labs. They’re known for offering up some of the best comfort food, such as burgers, nachos, fish and chips and much more. Their chicken fingers are the perfect amount of greasy that you’ll want to soak up after a long day. You can get them with golden-crisp fries or on a combo platter which also includes mozzarella sticks, onion rings, fries and a cheese quesadilla. You might want to bring a few friends to share with you if you’re going to opt for the platter, or eat it all on your own, no judgement here!

All three of these restaurants are perfect spots to satisfy any fried chicken craving. With individual elements that make each place’s chicken fingers unique to their menu, it’s hard to pick just one to go to! I hope you give all three of these diners and pubs a try, you’ll thank me when you’re fighting the urge to lick your fingers after.

This piece was edited by Sukaina Jamil.

Tru-Dance the Night Away

By Moosa Imran

In early 2018, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a trip to India with his family. Though the trip was something of a political gag reel, there were still some light-hearted moments. Sadly, not everyone was able to see the light in these moments.

In a video shared on Twitter, before giving a speech at the Canada House in New Delhi in February, our Trudeau walked up to the podium dressed in traditional Indian clothing, which consisted of what is called a “shalwar kurta”. The “shalwar” is a really thin pair of pants with a puffed-out look to allow for airflow, while the “kurta” is a long shirt that extends past the knees. It is easily one of the most commonly worn outfits in South Asian culture and even reaches out into the Middle East.

Trudeau started his speech off with a little dance, known as the “bhangra”,  a traditional Punjabi dance that is often combined with drums or “dhols”. Trudeau was, in fact, the first prime minister to go out of his way to dress in cultural attire. The two prime ministers that came before him, Stephen Harper and Paul Martin, typically donned traditional western suits during their stately visits. Even former British Prime Minister Tony Blair never attempted to wear cultural clothes in India.  

Video from KacyC Excel CA 🇨🇦

Despite the rather unsightly execution of the dance, Trudeau looked dashing in his outfit, considering dancing the bhangra isn't a daily routine for him. The audience seemed to love and appreciate his short performance, but social media audiences were less than happy with what they saw.

Though many people on Twitter were upset with Trudeau for the overall political turmoil caused by his trip, the Huffington Post called his dance an attempt “to take back the narrative”, and there were many who had a different issue: the prime minister was engaging in cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation has become a buzzword in today’s socio-political cliamte. It is a term used to describe a dominant group using the art, cultural or religious symbols from a marginalized group for its own benefit or enrichment.   

Interestingly enough, most of the people throwing around accusations of cultural appropriation weren’t people from India to begin with. To put it simply, what Trudeau did was far from cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation carries the implication that some cultural hallmark is being stolen, be it in dance, fashion, language or otherwise. However, in this particular scenario, Trudeau stole nothing. Like anyone else who visits an entirely different part of the world, he is a guest. Based on my personal experiences in South Asia, guests are often welcomed and encouraged to indulge and engage in local culture. This engagement is also seen as a form of blessing in many countries. It is a sign of respect that someone wants to visit. It is an even higher return of respect when you greet them with love and care. You expect to share your living space, your food, and if need be, even your clothes.  

That is the purpose of travel; to experience the different ways of life around the world. The stateliness of Trudeau’s visit probably should have outshined his wardrobe, but wearing Indian clothing and bhangra dancing there were means for him to connect with the locals and extend a hand of curiosity and appreciation.

It’s really no different than people visiting the Caribbean each year and getting their hair braided or wearing a Lei while vacationing in Hawaii. These are all ways that people can connect with others around the world and appreciate the bits and pieces that make their cultures unique, all the while acknowledging our differences and learning from them.

So when you’re travelling, don’t be afraid to experience things out of fear of hurting people’s feelings, especially the people who aren’t from that part of the world. It is likely that if you do end up doing something disrespectful, the locals will let you know, and if that is the case, the respectful thing to do would be to stop, apologize and learn from the mistake for future reference. Let us leave our darling Trudeau to peacefully Tru-dance the night away! Because this trip is going to be hard to forget for many other reasons.

The preceding is an opinion piece. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect any official policy or position of the publication.

This piece was edited by Aya Baradie. 

Album Review: Say Less by Roy Woods

By: Nour Al Saeid 

From free-styling every Saturday night at the YMCA to releasing his debut studio album, Roy Woods has excelled in his music career and is rising to become one of the major R&B icons for Toronto today.

After almost a year of waiting, the 21-year-old singer from Brampton released his album titled Say Less on Dec. 1st, 2017.

The album consists of 16 songs, including three collaborations with other well-known artists. “Take Time” features 24Hrs, a rapper who gained millions of Soundcloud plays and toured with Blackbear this year. “Back It Up” features PARTYNEXTDOOR, a famous Canadian artist who worked with Drake for multiple songs. “Balance” features both dvsn and PnB Rock. Dvsn consists of producer Paul Jefferies and singer Daniel Daley, whereas PnB Rock is a solo artist who released an album in January. Some of these artists are signed by OVO Sound as well.

“What Are You On?” was the first single that was released. It starts with a beautiful, choir-like synthesizer in the back and after a few seconds, the beat kicks in and showcases a perfect R&B vibe that Woods usually goes for. It’s a fast-paced song, not as dark and slow as his older tracks. His articulation grows and his vocals become stronger in the second verse, adding more intensity to the song.

“Back It Up” is a collaboration that starts with a very heavy, low bass. Woods takes the lead with the first verse, his voice is raw and passionate. With the echo-heavy beats and drums, the song has a PBR&B sound that is much appreciated. PBR&B is a sub-genre that mostly consists of strong beats and a lot of synthesizers. Many artists in this category tend to sing about sex and love, which is the main theme of this song.

One thing that couldn’t go unnoticed was how small Woods’ part is. This made the song imbalanced because PARTYNEXTDOOR’s voice dominated the rest of the track, making Woods’ contribution very small. PARTYNEXTDOOR sang the chorus four times and also had two verses, leaving Woods with only 45 seconds in the song.  

Despite that, the entire album is composed of different tracks, each having unique dynamic ranges. Songs like “Balance”, which features dvsn, compliments the OVO vibe that many Torontonians usually search for in music. “BB” and “The Way You Sex Me” have a slow and sexy rhythm with explicit and vivid lyrics.

A few tracks that don’t fit are “Little Bit Of Lovin” and “Something New”. They have an odd techno and pop vibe which doesn’t suit Woods’ sound at all, especially with their heavy use of autotune. Woods is known for having a dark and atmospheric energy in his music and these two tracks are the complete opposite. Compared to his older songs, these two were more pop-oriented, making them seem out of place in the album.

There’s a certain message that’s being portrayed in many of the tracks. Woods continuously mentions a woman in his life that only uses him for money and fame. In “Back It Up” he says, “You want me 'cause I'm in the limelight.” In “Medusa” he says, “All she like is gold” and in “Say Less” he says, “Money on sight now your eyes on gold.”

“What Are You On?” sets the tone of the entire album because the song is about a woman in his life who is only interested in his money and fame, which is most likely the reason why he released this one first.

The music video for “Say Less” was very symbolic as well. A rose is set on fire burns throughout the entire video, which is Woods’ way of showing how risky love is and how he’s not interested in committed relationships.

Overall, many fans are impressed with this project. Some songs should have never made it to the track list due to how pop-focused they were. The album could be better off without them, especially since they don’t fit Woods’ dark and atmospheric sound. However, the lyrics are bold and honest, sending a message to the girl who did him wrong. All in all, this is one of his best works.

Drake better keep his guard up, because Woods is slowly catching up to him.

This piece was edited by Valerie Dittrich

A Tribe Called Red brings down the house at the Danforth

By: Adriel Smiley and Valerie Dittrich

Indigenous-Canadian DJ collective, A Tribe Called Red are making waves throughout the country with their new take on traditional First Nations beats and dance music, showcasing indigenous culture in a positive and uplifting way with their fresh take on the electronic genre.

A Tribe Called Red performed their third sold-out show at the Danforth Music Hall last Friday. The group has been on the Fall/Winter segment of their tour since November, making stops in cities across Canada and the U.S. Tribe performs a unique genre of music that blends various style of music, such as hip hop and reggae with First Nations drumming and chanting.

The band was formed in 2008 by Ian Campeau, Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas and DJ Shub. A decade later, Bear Witness is the only original member remaining, with Shub leaving the group in 2014 for personal reasons. Campeau recently made his exit in 2017, claiming that touring was becoming “emotionally draining”. This was their first time touring since Campeau left. Tim “2oolman” Hill and Bear Witness are the two remaining members and have chosen to continue as a duo for the time being.

The band credits their unique sound to their roots in Ottawa. In an interview with NPR Music, they “wanted to throw a party that was geared toward the Indigenous community in Ottawa.” Under their pseudonym “Electric Powwow”, they opted to sample traditional drum beats over hip-hop sounds and dubstep-like synths, creating a genre of music that not only celebrates their culture, but puts a focus on Canada as a whole.  

During the show, five screens surrounded the stage and images on the screen moved quickly in sync with the fast-paced beats. The images depicted Indigenous people in popular culture; from DreamWorks’ Road to El Dorado to Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” music video.

Throughout the show, Tribe was joined on stage by a group of dancers who took turns busting a move to the break-beats. The dancers added to the overall experience with their dynamic set filled with hard-hitting drops, heavy bass and creative and magnetic sounds ripping through the venue. Within a few minutes it was easy to recognize this show had the vibe of a huge party rather than a concert. The audience was engulfed with A Tribe Called Red’s original and patriotic tunes. The show ended with two dancers in traditional Aboriginal clothing on stage. As the last note hit they threw their fists in the air and the crowd did the same. With hundreds of fists in the air, Tribe as well as the dancers cleared the stage. The Danforth dance party finally came to a close and A Tribe Called Red ended the weekend in a flawless fashion.

The group was nominated for a Polaris Music Prize in 2017. They will continue their tour in Los Angeles on February 19.

This piece was edited by Luke Elisio

Toronto rappers make debut in VICE documentary, 6ix Rising

By: Andrea Josic & Raizel Harjosubroto Toronto’s TDOT era is coming to a close after rappers like Kardinal Offishall and Rascalz coined the term “T.O.” a decade ago. When artists like Drake and The Weeknd put the city on the map, The ‘6ix’ became Toronto’s new nickname. 6ix Rising, a new documentary by VICE, follows the journeys of the city’s emerging rappers and how they made a name for themselves on the rap scene.

The documentary features artists Prime Boys, Friyie, Big Lean, CMDWN, Jazz Cartier and Pressa. Director Shawney Coney explores their stories, how the city influences their music and how they are on the verge of fame.

It opens with Jimmy Prime of Prime Boys, a rap collective consisting of himself, Donnie and Jay Whiss. A rap collective is different from a rap group because while the rappers collaborate to make music, each artist has their own discography as well. Growing up in the Esplanade, Prime and his friends created Prime Boys and focused on rap in order to stay out of trouble.

Documentary photo2

“I invented the ‘6’,” says Jimmy Prime. “The ‘6’ is a new brand for the city. I felt like no one was taking the city seriously.”

Rapper Friyie was inspired by the different cultures and musical sounds in his neighbourhood of southside Jane and Finch to make music.

A few months after he graduated from York University, Friyie performed his hit single Money Team at the T-Mobile arena before the Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor fight in August.

“It’s crazy how life works,” said Friyie after watching Mayweather working out to his music. “I was a young kid just working and trying to spit motivational music and it was able to motivate a legend like Floyd Mayweather.”

In December 2015, rapper Big Lean lost his close friend, Lotto Max, in a drive-by in Parma Court, a public housing project neighbourhood in Scarborough. Although he lost the partner with whom he created the rap collective Da Degrees, Big Lean stays motivated to pursue music.

“I’m going to go hard for what he wanted and what I wanted,” says Big Lean. “He’s working up there and I’m working down here until we meet again.”

CMDWN, pronounced “come down,” a Toronto rap collective consisting of Fiji and Ca$tro Guapo, was originally known for hosting house parties in a one-bedroom apartment above a bar.

Ca$tro Guapo’s family is from South Jane and Fiji’s mom lives on Parliament and Shuter. Coming from rough parts of the city, CMDWN uses music as an escape.

“Music, to us, is a gateway to freedom to do what we want and live how we want,” said Fiji.

As the duo’s personalities gained laughter from the audience throughout the screening, it’s evident that CMDWN’s chemistry attracts various crowds.

“We’re opening doors for people that are different,” said Fiji. “Our fans vary from hipsters to weirdos, to hood n*****.”  

Toronto-born Jazz Cartier claims the city as his home. He looks down upon artists who leave Toronto for the U.S. to pursue music because when they return, he feels they can’t claim the city as their own.

Documentary photo

“Your city has to f*** with you before anyone f***s with you,” said Cartier, in regards to creating music in your hometown.

Despite the respect he has for the city, Jay Whiss of Prime Boys feels that an artist needs to go to the U.S. in order to make it big.

“We get caught, we can’t go to the States,” Whiss stresses the importance of keeping a clean record. “That’s the number one market. So if we can’t get there, it’s useless. There’s only so much you can do in Canada.”

Pressa originates from the Driftwood neighbourhood near Jane and Finch. Pressa has been unable to tour in the U.S. because of a criminal record.

His career started as an opening act on Drake’s Boy Meets World tour. Last May, Pressa’s show in London, England was cancelled due to negative press around his arrest in early 2016.

Documentary photo3

“I have better things and better plans for my future,” Pressa said when reading his allegations. “I’m just trying to work and have a better life than where I came from.”

While these rappers have gained local attention, they have yet to take their fame outside of the country.

Whiss acknowledges that it’s difficult to break through. “A lot of people in Toronto have a spotlight as if they’re a big artist already,” said Whiss. “The pressure of having to take it to that next level and getting there, it’s hard.”

In a Q & A session after the screening, Coney said that he is looking into making a documentary about music producers who are more established, with 10 or more years of experience in Toronto’s music industry.

The full Noisey documentary can be viewed here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmEfBgESjKk