Chloe and I are thrilled to share our first two days at the 44th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival, where we explored a wildly diverse lineup of films that highlight everything we love about this festival.
Day one kicked off with Christy, the much-anticipated biopic of boxing legend Christy Martin, starring Sydney Sweeney, tracing her rise in the ring, her fight for identity, and the shocking attempt on her life by her husband-coach. We also experienced The Blue Trail (O Último Azul), a moving Brazilian story following seniors fighting for freedom and adventure in later life, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Mary Bronstein’s unnerving, blackly comic portrait of maternal burnout — anchored by a powerhouse turn from Rose Byrne. The day ended with Late Shift, a gripping Swiss drama about Floria (Leonie Benesch), a nurse navigating a high-pressure hospital shift, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of healthcare work under strain.
Day two opened with OBEX, a surreal, Eraserhead-like RPG fantasy directed by Albert Birney, set in pre-internet 1987 and following reclusive computer enthusiast Conor Marsh as he becomes entangled in a mysterious video game that blurs the lines between reality and the digital world. The day continued with Blue Moon, Richard Linklater’s poignant biopic of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, set during the opening night of Oklahoma! in 1943. The film delves into Hart’s struggles with alcoholism and depression, capturing a pivotal moment in his life. The day concluded with Canada’s official submission for Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards, The Things You Kill. Directed by Alireza Khatami, this haunting meditation on memory, trauma, and identity follows Ali (Ekin Koç), a university professor who coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance after the suspicious death of his ailing mother.
Join us as we break down these films — and more — during our absolute favorite time of the year: the Vancouver International Film Festival 2025!
Steve Stebbing 