North of Normal

This episode we dive back into the world of Director/Writer, Andrea Dorfman. Host Andrew Hunter Scholey and returning guest Melissa Jean Miller discuss Dorfman's 2014 film collaboration with musician/poet Tany Davis, "Heartbeat". They also discuss their first project together, the wildly popular short film/youtube video "How to Be Alone", and the themes it shares with "Heartbeat". Our hosts also discuss the difficult relationships artists can have with their art, what local film locations from the film Hunter could figure out and also discuss...... babies and parenting.... just a little.

RUMOURS! GUY MADDIN! Since it's been a bit, Colin Everett and Andrew Hunter Scholey take a massive dive into the highly anticipated new release by one of Canada's greatest directors! Where has Guy Maddin been for the last decade? Why is Cate Blanchett in this weird Canadian film and why does she rule? What's with the giant brain in the woods? Does the Canadian Prime Minister practice safe sex? All will(?) be answered as the hosts have a blast discussing one of their favourite films of the year!

James Thornton returns to discuss a fav of host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They tackle the career of director Phillip Borsos, the unusual production of the film, and Hunter has another chance to gush about one of his favourite actors, Richard Farnsworth. Strap in for a discussion about one of the best Canadian films ever made.

In this episode, Colin Everett is back to discuss "Whale Music" (1994). They tackle not just the film, but also the novel it is based on, the author of the novel and the screenwriter of the film Paul Quarrington, and the band that provided the film's score: The Rheostatics. Where do they land on this ambitious film?

In this dense episode tackling this NFB Canadian classic, James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey cover (checks notes).... The historical log drivers and their importance in Canada's development as a country; the song's composer Wade Hemsworth and his influence on Canadian music; the 60's Montreal folk scene; Quebec separatism and the 1980 referendum; the film's animator and director John Weldon and his prolific career; the Canada Vignettes and their role in the NFB but also Canadian identity; and finally (*breathe...*) what do they finally have to say about the film itself?

This episode, Colin Everett returns to talk about the underrated classic, "Owning Mahowny" (2003). With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss the career of the film's star, Philip Seymour Hoffman, depictions of addiction in film, and nostalgia for yellow police cars. Also, this movie is awesome and you should just watch it if you haven't.

This episode Melissa Jean Miller joins Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss the recent documentary, "The Movie Man" (2024) and also their trip to the subject of the film, The Highland Cinemas in Kenmount, Ontario.

James Thornton is back because he wanted to discuss "New Waterford Girl" (1999), a unique coming of age film set in Cape Breton. His conversation with host Andrew Hunter Scholey covers a wide variety of topics, among which are the surprisingly fascinating early career of the film's director Alan Moyle, life in small towns, as well as how the film's plot plays with how certain aspects of women are portrayed in media.

With the passing of Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland, Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton decided to delay their previously planned episode. Instead they are discussing Sutherland's films produced in Canada and abroad. Then their discussion delves into one of Sutherland's most overlooked films: the medical drama, "Threshold" (1981).

Returning to NoN is Ryan Barnett, the host of the podcast "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North". Ryan has also written a graphic novel about silent film star Buster Keaton. One of Keaton's final films was a project with the Canadian National Film Board called, "The Railrodder" (1965), so Ryan was the perfect guest to have on to discuss. In this episode, host of NoN Andrew Hunter Scholey and Ryan Barnett discuss his graphic novel with artist Matthew Tavares, "Buster: A Life in Pictures". What got him into silent film and Buster in the first place? His research and ultimately interviewing the director of the film Gerald Potterton. All in all a great chat about not just Canadian cinema, but also the golden age of Hollywood and one of its biggest stars.