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.

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.

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.

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.

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.