Hot Docs 2015 Review: ‘Tig’

Posted in Festival Coverage, Hot Docs 2015, Movies by - April 22, 2015

Tig

Show Me The Funny

It’s takes courage to be a stand up comedian, it takes even more to own who you are as an individual and tackle the problems that life brings you, head on.

In October 2012, Tig Notaro opened her stand up set like no one has done before, “Good Evening, I have cancer”.  The set went viral which immediately sent her to the heights of fame, after she had been diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, over come and infection that could have killed her, after her mother’s passing and her breakup with her girlfriend.  Directors Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York follow the comedian for a year, chronicling all the highs and lows as he faces it all with her trademark deadpan humor and an indomitable spirit that you never see coming.

Equal parts, hilarious and subtly inspirational, Tig is one of those movies that feels like it is poured out of a formulaic mold but you never care as you want to drink up every damn drop.

Directors Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York never get ham handed with the material and don’t manipulate the story to any unnatural or fake dramatic swells and this film manages what documentary film is supposed to do; give us a genuine slice of life.  Notaro embraces her role as subject lays her entire life on the table which allows us to get behind her and love her more then we already do.

Tig is the feel good opener that every film festival needs to have and Tig Notaro serves as everyday reminder of the heroism in trying to find the best way that you can to be happy in your life.

Tig is the opening night film, tomorrow night at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre at 9:45 PM.

It also screens on Fri. April 24th as a part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Screening at 6PM at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre.

There is also a third screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Sunday May 3rd at 7PM.

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David Voigt is a Toronto based writer with a problem and a passion for the moving image and all things cinema. Having moved from production to the critical side of the aisle for well over 15 years now at outlets like Examiner.com, Criticize This, Dork Shelf (Now That Shelf), and to.Night Newspaper. He’s been all across the continent; serving on the FIPRESCI Jury at the Festival Du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal, covering festivals out side of Toronto like Calgary Underground Film Festival, CUFF Docs, Slamdance, Fantasia, SXSW, DOC NYC, Santa Barbara Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival and many others However, In the uncertain world of modern film journalism, David also knew that he needed to have a hand in writing and cementing his own contributions on the global film scene. Having eclipsed the 10 year anniversary of his own outlet, In The Seats, where he’s been striving to support film (and TV) from all walks of life and his podcast “In The Seats With…” where after 5 & ½ years and over 750 episodes he’s talked with a wide variety of filmmakers, actors, behind the scenes artisans and so much more on the art of storytelling for the screen, which is spawning the launch of a new show in the Spring of 2026. “ITS: Soundtracks” will focus on the use of soundtrack and score in film which he believes is a combination that is the cinematic equivalent of Peanut Butter and Chocolate. All this as well as hosting and moderating a variety of big screen events around the city, covering film in all its forms is just a way of life for him.
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