Guy Maddin's New "Documentary"

Ain't It Cool News has some early buzz on the new Guy Maddin film, My Winnipeg, from the True/False Film Fest. Sounds like "True/False" about sums it up--Maddin's recent films have been the quasi-autobiographies of a character named "Guy Maddin"; My Winnipeg is apparently yet another one, this time a quasi-documentary combining Maddin's signature pseudo-antique style of moviemaking with actual footage from the history of his hometown of Winnipeg. Sort of like those W.G. Sebald novels with the old photos slipped in as "proof," or a Borges "essay" with facts hidden among fictions and vice-versa. Like, see this still? I'm guessing this is not from an actual newsreel. But, wow.

So yeah, I'm excited. Anyone unfamiliar with Guy Maddin's movies needs to fix that right now, please, ideally by renting his masterpiece Careful--but in a pinch you can watch this grainy upload (possibly NSFW!) of his short film "Sissy Boy Slap Party," a mock-homoerotic fetish film in the vein of Kenneth Anger and James Bidgood. Be warned that the video draws its humor from archaic gay and racial stereotypes and includes a visible buttcrack. Also, it's about six minutes of shirtless dudes loudly slapping each other, so if you don't find it completely effing brilliant then you will probably find it insufferable. Which is probably a good rule for Guy Maddin's movies in general. Please check it out.

More From The True/False Documentary Film Fest: Guy Maddin's MY WINNIPEG!! [Ain't It Cool]