Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Dark, hilarious and politically sharp, Winnipeg directors Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson’s new dark comedy, Rumours, roused laughter and awe from their home-town audience at the Dave Barber Cinematheque on Nov. 1st.
Many may know Maddin’s work from his 2007 film, My Winnipeg, which attempts to understand the city’s rich history and his upbringing in Winnipeg’s West End.
Rumours premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and hit theatres on Oct. 18th, one of several collaborations between Maddin and the Johnsons since 2015.
Taking place during a G7 conference, where leaders of the seven wealthiest liberal democracies meet to discuss global affairs, the film quickly turns as the politicians get lost in a forest filled with undead creatures and a giant brain.
Mixing politics, romance and the surreal, the directors were inspired by media coverage of these real world meetings, where awkward and ridiculous interactions occur amongst the pomp of international diplomacy. The result is a satirical farce that shows exactly what these leaders do when face-to-face with peril.
Not much.
Two-time academy award winner Cate Blanchet is undeniably charming as an almost oafishly pragmatic Chancellor of Germany. Roy Dupuis plays a handsome, deeply emotional and courageous Canadian Prime Minister.
The film is curiously prophetic, although it was written years ago – as many of the world leader’s ridiculous characterizations have played out shortly before the film’s release.
“We wanted to get back into our comfort zone,” said Evan Johnson when he was asked about the film’s ascetic style. During a Q&A after the Cinematheque screening, the directors called it “Winnipeg basement sets.”
In recognition of Maddin’s impact on Winnipeg’s film culture, Rumours, along with the new short film Serve the Country by local directors Miloš Mitrović and Fabián Velasco, will be playing throughout the whole month of November at the Dave Barber Cinematheque.