Hot Docs 08 Day 2 - Friday April 18/08

It begins as festivals always will with the first line up of the year. It's a lucky thing though, as it was a lovely day outside, feeling more like June than April as we joined the queue outside the Isabel Bader Theatre for the screening of Anvil! The Story of Anvil. At a good 30 minutes before the show the line went all the way back to University and past the first TTC entrance, so it was clear it would be a packed house.


(Director Sasha Gervasi introduces the film)

Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Dir: Sacha Gervasi
USA

Can a film be inspiring and crushing at the same time? Sure it can, if the film is Anvil! The Story of Anvil. This documentary follows the metal band Anvil, a band where the frontman/guitarist Steve 'Lips' Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner have been playing together for 30 years. Yes, thirty years. Have you heard of them? Well you have now and I hope you hear a lot more about them. The film is a great introduction to their collective past as well as their recent European tour. At moments it's hard to watch and the band members as they slug through their day jobs and tour with varied success on vacation, then go back to the day job. Although emotions can run high at time, overall they remain positive and continue to strive for excellence and always stick to their dreams. How many of us can say that? A truly inspiring film.

Want to know more?
See the film for yourself at the added screening on Sunday April 27/08 at 9:30 at the Royal.
Check out the Anvil Film Site and the Anvil band site


(Anvil: Robb Reiner with Hot Docs staff, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Glenn Five)


(Anvil CD and merchandise were available after the screening, to many a fans delight)

Hot Docs runs from April 17-27/08 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada