The Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival made its debut in September, joining cities like Lisbon, New York and Portland in celebrating this special aspect of motorcycle culture. After our interview in Episode 4, festival director Caius Tenche invited me to moderate a panel discussion with some of this year’s filmmakers and judges. Naturally, I jumped at the chance. It was a lively and fascinating conversation, and I’m excited to share it with you in this special episode.
Show Notes
Motofolk line up for the Saturday night screening at the Revue Cinema in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood.
Here’s a complete list of the films selected for the inaugural Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival. Where the films can be viewed free, I’ve linked directly to those. Where they can’t, or I can’t find them, I’ve linked to the film’s web site. To learn more about the members of the judging panel, check them out on the festival’s site.
A.K.A. Brokentooth – Canada’s Ice Road Biker Maybe it’s about riding a motorcycle in the arctic. Or maybe it’s about the true spirit of independence. Either way, meeting Oliver Solaro is worth your time. Both he and director Jory Lyons participated in the panel discussion.
Serrini finds the humour in this ancient piece of motorcycle Americana.
Chasing Evel: The Robbie Knievel Story
This brutally honest documentary about a lost son won Best Canadian Film honours.
This moving story of a privateer taking on the Dakar won both People’s Choice and Best Feature Film honours at the festival. The incorrigible Jacob Black participated in the panel discussion.
Jamie Robinson creates a feature length MotoGeo adventure. If you love Jamie, you’ll love this.
This delightful film, the one Toni compared to a “warm plate of fettuccini” won Best Short Film honours.
Charming proof that there is nothing so timeless and universal as watching people do foolish things on motorcycles.
Europe sends us back a boisterous take on the custom bike road movie.
Klocked: Women with Horsepower
A completely joyful story of empowerment that will leave you wondering if you’ve been paying enough attention to your own dreams.
This inspiring story about a paraplegic road racer proves both that our limits are higher than we think, and that the love of motorcycles may have no limits at all.
This oddball corner of the motorcycle racing scene provides the perfect backdrop for a story about two women and the true nature of competition. Director Ned Thanhouser brought the perspective of experience to the panel discussion.
The Road is Calling and I Must Go
A meditation on what riding feels like. Save this for a cold winter night.
Shinya Kimura – Chabott Engineering
The custom scene is all about characters, and this portrait of Kimura will leave you a little less certain about the boundary between craft and art.
An engrossing documentary about a storied MC that has always flouted even the conventions of MCs.
A cheerful portrait of riders who are committed not just to riding, but to the world they ride in. Director Matthew Sanders participated in the panel discussion, and got more than one participant thinking about riding dirt again.
Virginia’s quest to build a machine all her own shows us that there’s more to “built not bought” than just bragging rights.
Special thanks and a tip of the helmet to Integrated Media Production Group for handling the recording of this event for me, and to Pfaff Harley Davidson for being such accommodating and professional hosts.
Leave a Reply