There's a documentary that's been floating around for two years about the real Toronto called The Real Toronto DVD (ha!), which I had a chance to watched last weekend. The 60-minute film focuses on the urban neighborhoods and housing projects of Toronto (aka T.O, T-Dot). Madd Russian, the then twenty-two year old director, grabbed his camera and went to nine neighborhoods in Toronto asking the basic question, "What was it like growing up here?"

The first few minutes of the film you're thinking this might be an interesting look at Toronto's subculture but after 20 minutes it becomes apparent that you're just watching young men talk about a lot of, well, shit, "I'll show you ***ies what happens when you come to my hood." The most disturbing part of this film is when we get to the Jane & Finch neighborhood. There's a scene in an apartment building hallway where about a dozen young men gather around brandishing their guns, coaxing their would be watchers to come down to their neighborhood and the consequences that will follow if they do.

There is a fast warning at the beginning of the film where it states that the film does not "glamorize violence... its purpose is to bring awareness on some issues that people in certain ares of Toronto have to deal with every day." Had Madd Russian actually presented different questions to his subjects, there might have been some substance and not a myriad of disillusioned and angry young men repeating how real life is in T.O. over again. Basically good idea gone bad. The documentary is not for the faint of heart due to graphic gun play but if you feel the need to view this film, it's available on google video. Just type in "the real toronto full."

Labels: docu sunday, the real toronto dvd