Porcupine Lake

This film was like walking back in time to the longest days of childhood summers. The detailed clues about small town life - from the plethora of business cards tacked on the bulletin board in the local snack shack, to the stickers covering plastic cereal containers at a chaotic breakfast table - have stayed with me. As someone who grew up always being the new girl, I identified with Bea (Charlotte Salisbury) as she tried to navigate and keep up with the rules of this place, dictated flawlessly by local girl Katie (Lucinda Armstrong Hall). Ingrid Veninger takes us on the beautifully heartbreaking ride of a very complicated friendship between two young girls on the verge of womanhood. Highly recommended.

Bea and her mother is moving to Port Severn for the summer. It's cottage country and a small lakeside community. Her father inherited the local diner from his father. Her mother wants to sell it and the marriage is in trouble. Bea is befriended by Kate. Bea is shy and prone to panic attacks. Kate is from a troubled family with troubled older brother Romeo. Kate takes Bea as her girlfriend as she brings Bea into her world.

I've never heard of filmmaker Ingrid Veninger. She seems to be a bit actor in Canada turning to indie filmmaking. There is an interesting voice being used. The two young actresses have the presence and the connection. There are limitations. The story does hold back from the most dangerous possibilities. During the climatic action sequence, the filming lets down the needed thrills for intensity. It takes some interesting moves but this is still very much an indie.

I will leave my first review beneath this review as it seems to take a couple of viewings. After all the hype one (me) expected too much. Considering the girls ages they both put on a class performances almost on par with more mature actors. We will see more of them. The story line is good, could have been better in places, some things not needed to be included. Stunning scenery. I have had several conversations with Ingrid Veninger and she was eager to promote her film well. Much appreciated and helped understand things.

Yes we all know what its about and that a few privileged people have seen it... and those on Air Canada flights. Its been released now 9 months and still not freely available to buy, rent pay or to view. When I tried to pay to view, I was told my credit card is not registered in UK so go away. When asked they said it will make more money being released little at a time... This I find had to work out as instead of being a Block Buster movie it will be relegated to the ranks of "has been" short movies on Youtube ... Questions must be asked.

Well I finally got to see it, very disappointing, the trailer contained all that was relevant in the movie. If you want to see a movie about this subject "The First Girl I Loved" and "The Truth About Jane" are 100 times better and more informative, plus they "flow" and easy to watch. Sorry but my score is still 1.

A film that delicately reminds us of that small window of innocence and the weeks leading to a new and more courageous way of being in the world no matter the chaos or uncertainty around us. Inner strength shines through these two young girls in stellar performances. The film transports you to another place and time in Canada and in your soul....that precious time before that first kiss that changes everything forever. Music by Zeus is subtle and adds to the films ability to take you back in time.

This is really a nice film about two girls who meet, discover each other, and become very close friends very fast. Having grown up in a resort community I can attest that this rapid development from strangers to bosom companions can and very often does happen during summer vacation. It's charming to watch the principals in this film contend with the strange new feelings that are an inevitable part of adolescence.

One drawback I just could not get over was that actress Charlotte Salisbury seemed to have no chemistry with the dog, who was apparently always looking off to stage left for his handler!

The details of the real-life Port Severn community are fascinating - the restaurant/petrol depot really exists as depicted and appears consistently in the film.