by Shannonn Kelly
10:17AM, EST, June 18, 2009

Letter to the Editor – Now Magazine – Norman Wilner

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Ever since ReelHEART International Film Festival (RHIFF) launched 5 years ago, Now Magazine has done its best to give ReelHEART non-reviews and essentially trash our festival.

We’re an open festival that doesn’t let in filmmakers in our back pocket or whom we have alliances with. We receive films from approximately 30 countries every season.

We don’t just promote films we like.  We promote films that everybody will like.

We, at ReelHeART, put each film through 3-4 gruelling screening and scoring rounds. While we may not always agree with our programmers choices, the films that do screen are programmed for the varied tastes of the people of Toronto. Something for everybody.

The great voiceover actor Don LaFontaine once said, “”Even the worst picture is someone’s favorite film, and that someone is the fan I am always talking to.”

Now Magazine for 5 straight years refuses to reviews films of a high calibre premiering at ReelHeART, but continually picks on low budget and often local (or visiting) quirky films that draw an audience based on the ‘heart’ and passion of the filmmakers.

My momma always said, there’s a difference between a critic and being critcal. Norman Wilner, you’re the latter.

What Now Magazine doesn’t inform its readers is that each film they trashed packed their screenings. Why? Because the audience disagreed with Now Magazine.

• Now Magazine, you refuse to view our promo reel every single year
• You refuse to review any films with brand recognition or from Hollywood cast and crew
• You refuse to review our documentaries
• You refused to mention that Grammy award winning bluesman Robert Cray entered into our Music video category and won at ReelHeART when our festival was close to his concert date
• You refuse to mention that top tier distribution companies pick up our films each and every year

Even in your review Norman, I’m amused that you side step the fact that director David B. Sharp, is an award winning Special-Effects expert in Hollywood, working on notable films such as: The Passion of the Christ, Mission: Impossible II, Event Horizon, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, and The Tommyknockers to name a few.

He made a fun quirky film that film buffs who know what he does will really enjoy.  Why does that irk you Norman? Is it because  hordes of film students studying at Humber, Seneca or Ryerson will come out to specifically see Sharp’s film and have a Q&A with him on his experiences and his credits on about 25 Hollywood features, and the only way people meet you is at film festivals you support. (As a matter of fact, you’re even prominently featured on a local festival’s website as I write this.)

David B. Sharp, made that film with his son’s to bond, be together and share the knowledge of his craft that kept him away from the family home for hours, days and weeks on end.  And you saw fit to trash this film, while the LA Daily News, sees fit to applaud the bonding of a family and the making of a quirky little film.

And, slamming Ryan Noel’s “homegrown” comedy The Notorious Newman Brothers…? Shame on you Norman.

“Homegrown” my friend is what it’s all about in “true indie filmmaking”. Again, you fail to mention that The Butler Brothers have a large and enthusiastic following in the USA and have won awards and last year won us over at ReelHeART.

Why did they win us over?

Because this hardworking 3-man promotional wrecking crew show more spunk, determination and passion about their films that 70% of filmmakers at any other festival here or in any other country. Team Butler slog their guts out promoting their films and the audience and following they amassed loves them for it. They’ve got what’s called “Indie Spirit”…and guess what Norman, it’s catching!

The following quotes about ReelHeART didn’t write themselves. They were generated by real people:

Bucking the trend of “niche” festivals, the annual event celebrates movies of all genres, countries and film lengths.”
The Globe and Mail

“I’ve seen better films here in one season than I’ve seen in all other Toronto fests in the last 5 years.”
Audience Member

“I just wanted to say how incredibly impressed I’ve been with the energy you and your colleagues put into ReelHeART, and your organization, passion and commitment.”
Carey Born

“I would highly encourage truly indie filmmakers to submit their work to this festival.”
Mark Bonn

“In this era of hyper-specialization, where dinner parties are filled with the conjecture of philistines and the jingo of experts, The ReelHeART Monthly Film Series is anti-niche”
The Martini Boys

“You do a great job organizing and publicizing the event! And some very interesting movies, with a good mix of high and low budget, but always a strong story.”
Katarzyna

“REAL FILMS with real heart are the order of the day at this upstart Toronto film festival.”
Murtz Jaffer, Toronto Sun

“You and your crew run a festival like you’re hosting a party. Yes you are the festival with HeART!”
Audience Member

“The ReelHeART International Film Festival has successfully filled the void left in the wake of increasingly narrow-themed and niche-centric film festivals.”
Outlooks Magazine

“The weird and the wonderful are presented at ReelHeART. Pay attention.”
Liz Braun, Toronto Sun

 

Now Magazine is the only media outlet that trashes ReelHeART. But that gag is getting a little stale-

Norman Wilner, if you bothered to view any of the other 20 films we recommended to you and your assistant, you’d be currently eating your words. But you refused to view anything from the 20 on our promo reel. You decided to pick on the two films that you were hell bent to pick on, just to keep the historical gag running.

Norman Wilner, Cannes we are not. But ReelHeART we are and will remain…

Sincerely,
Shannonn Kelly, Managing Director
ReelHeART International Film Festival (RHIFF)