EMPz 4 Life is a 2006 Canadian documentary film, directed by Allan King.[1] Made in conjunction with writer Joseph Jomo Pierre, the film profiles a small group of Black Canadian youths living in the troubled Toronto neighbourhood of Malvern, who are enrolled in an after-school math tutoring program run by social worker Brian Henry in an effort to keep them in school and not out on the streets.[2]
| EMPz 4 Life | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Allan King |
| Produced by | Allan King |
| Cinematography | Mark Ellam |
| Edited by | Nick Hector |
| Music by | Chris Ellis |
Production company | At Home in the Hood Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
The film takes its title from graffiti in the neighbourhood, referring to Empringham Drive.[1]
The film premiered on September 9, 2006, at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival,[3] but was distributed primarily as an episode of TVOntario's documentary series The View from Here in February 2007.[4]
It was King's final film, as his planned next film was in production but not completed at the time of his death in 2009.[5]
Awards
editThe film was a shortlisted nominee for the Donald Brittain Award, and Mark Ellam was nominated for Best Photography in a Documentary Program or Series, at the 22nd Genie Awards in 2007.[6] The film was also shortlisted for the Directors Guild of Canada's DGC Award for Best Documentary Film.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Geoff Pevere, "Toronto's troubled youth in focus; Seen through eyes of social worker: Documentary has no easy answers". Toronto Star, September 9, 2006.
- ^ Betsy Powell, "King's doc tackles race; Festival offering headed to television Film sheds light on Malvern area youth". Toronto Star, September 14, 2006.
- ^ "Quick Hits on big films". Toronto Star, September 3, 2006.
- ^ Anthony Rinehart, "Close-ups in the fight against the thug life". The Globe and Mail, February 23, 2007.
- ^ Bruce Kirkland, "Canadian Filmmaker Allan King dead at 79". Edmonton Sun, June 16, 2009.
- ^ "TV dramas lead the field for Gemini Awards". CBC News, August 28, 2007.
- ^ Guy Dixon, "Polley battles zombies at Directors Guild awards". The Globe and Mail, August 14, 2007.
External links
edit- EMPz 4 Life at IMDb
 | This article related to a Canadian documentary film of the 2000s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |