Filmmaker Guy Maddin is from Winnipeg.  Winnipeg is a province in the heartland of Canada where bitter winters and extreme hot and cold temperatures are the norm.  Those familiar with Maddin’s films (THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD, TWILIGHT OF THE ICE NYMPHS and my personal favourite ARCHANGEL, know what to expect from his work - a German impressionistic-type mostly silent black and white personal feature full of startling images and odd narrative story-telling.

Maddin’s latest feature MY WINNIPEG is no different.  The shaky opening credits remind one right away of the old silent films.  And Winnipeg is arguable best filmed in this light.  MY WINNIPEG is a loving tribute to the place he grew up and tries to escape from – though unable to do so.  Maddin shows himself (Darcy Fehr) seated in a train, dozing on and off, like a somnambulist trying to get out of the city.  He narrates the film, examining the lifestyle of the townsfolk.  “It is always sleepy… It is always winter..”, as the narration goes.  He also unashamedly discusses his hatred toward what the town council had done to some of the landmarks (the Eaton’s store) while displaying his most remarkable memories (the snowy covered traveled back lanes) of the town.

MY WINNIPEG is a stunningly shot piece of work.  Enjoyable, teasing, poetic and occasionally informative, Maddin’s film makes a welcome break at the cinema.  One only wishes he showed the hot summer in Winnipeg on screen as well.