Porcupine Lake

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.

So Great to see Ingrid Veninger's latest film 'Porcupine Lake'. Her years of prolific film-making have paid off and she has created a tight, interesting and moving film that is both funny, real and poignant.

The main characters explore new teen feelings and try to make sense of the confusing and sometimes dark adult relationships they see around them. This is done with great sensitivity and insight. It is not easy to convey the subtle, new emotions that teens experience but Ingrid's approach and direction worked. Apparently the 13 year old actors met for the first time when they were filmed and the freshness and authenticity shows.

The characters were unique and interesting, the relationships and plot was highly entertaining despite the tough subject matter. The acting we excellent.

The depressing homes of the dysfunctional rural families were very true to life yet there was compassion at the same time.

I highly recommend the movie to people interested in films that delve into challenging relationships and emotional situations with insight, wisdom and humour.

Beautiful and surprising coming of age film. Authentic to the core. I had the pleasure of seeing the premier of this film at TIFF 2017, and the entire cast and creative team and crew were present for the Q&A. The sense of family and heart and generosity, led by director Ingrid Veninger, during the Q&A was felt throughout the entire film.

Film Review: Porcupine Lake. Director, Producer, Writer (here) and actress Ingrid Veninger proves she clearly has a pulse on the youth coming of age summer experience. Bea (Charlotte Salisbury - a young version of Helen Hunt) finds herself in Northern Ontario, as her mom Ally (Delphine Roussel "Almost Adults" 2016) reluctantly agrees to meet and work at her out of town dad Scotty's (Christopher Bolton "Rent-like-a-Golie" TV) roadside cafe. Enter local rambunctious and fast-talking fellow youth Kate (Lucinda Armstrong Hall "Neighborhoods" TV), who befriends Bea and quickly becomes her friend, confidant and summer attraction. Surrounded by preoccupied parents, and a slue of stereotypical small town folk (including the terrific facial expression given by gay boy Emile "Maxime Robin Tom Clancy's Jace Ryan" 2018), the girls find ice cream, candy, knick-knack selling and experimentation easy to come by. Veninger's quiet back woods Ontario setting provides the girls a carefree and safe setting to observe and do as they please. What works here is that while the setting is without confrontation, there is an underlining energy that all can feel, yet no one is willing and/or able to address. Salisbury and Armstrong Hall are like two little "Thelma & Louise," unafraid of what lies ahead, yet cautious as to what each day has to offer. Running at about 1 1/2 hours, the films pace will lose many. DVD/VOV release: August 14, 2018

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.