Latitude 44 Gallery Call for Artists

Poster: Latitude 44 Mi Confesión Call for Artists
Show Runs: September 9 – 25, 2010
Latitude 44 Gallery Framing Decor
Credit: latitude44gallery.ca

Latitude 44 Gallery
Framing ∙ Décor

invites you to participate in a special showing coinciding with the Junction Arts Festival, where we encourage you to share your confessions and passions through your art.

Works have to be created within the past year, sized no larger than 24x36 and valued from $100-$800. This showing will give special consideration to pieces inspired by the passion, colour and artistic fibre of Buenos Aires, however all works will be considered.

Submissions of three pieces to be presented to the gallery for consideration no later than September 3, 2010.

LATITUDE 44
MI CONFESIÓN

Show runs
September 9 – 25, 2010

Latitude 44 Gallery ∙ Framing ∙ Décor

2900 Dundas Street West Toronto Ontario, Canada M6P 1Y8
[located at Dundas & Keele in the historic Junction of Toronto
and wheelchair accessible]

For more information:
phone: 416-769-2900
e-mail: latitude44gallery@bellnet.ca
website: www.latitude44gallery.ca

Junction Retrospective Photography at the Wise Daughters Craft Market

This "Renaissance Lamp" is an almost iconic image of Emmanual's collection Junction Retrospective
Junction Theme: ... unique buildings, ... vibrancy of people, ... diverse community
The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour: Artist: Emmanuel Mifsud

"The photographs by Emmanuel Mifsud at Super Submarine are a delightful experience when you appreciate the juxtaposition through the window."

~cr

Junction Retrospective Exhibit
A Series of Images of the Junction Locale by Emmanuel Mifsud

July 23 - September 12, 2010
Opening Night Reception: July 23, 7 - 9 pm

Wise Daughters Craft Market
3079B Dundas St W Toronto, M6P 1Z9
[between Keele Street & Quebec Avenue]
(facing Quebec Ave, just south of Dundas, behind Crema Coffee)
Via TTC: Junction bus #40from Dundas West Stn,
Lambton bus #30 (or 15 min. walk) from High Park Stn.
www.wisedaughters.com
416-761-1555

This series of black and white facades and streetscapes celebrates the West Toronto Junction for its diverse architecture, reflecting its history and people through the passage of time.

For more information, visit Studio Mano Manu.



Artist's Statement:
Photography has been an interest of Emmanuel since his early teens after receiving a 3-D camera as a gift. Opportunity knocked when he was living and working at National Stud Farm, now known as Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario. The famous racehorse Northern Dancer had returned home, the place where he was bred and raised. "The Dancer" was retired to stud. Years later, travel nurtured his interest. Whenever the urge to capture a moment, his camera was never far away. Emmanuel's interest in nature, urban landscapes, equine action and people are reflected in his varied portfolio of prints and positive images using a Pentax Spotmatic 500 SLR camera.

In 2008, Emmanuel's entry, "Junction Retrospective" - a Series of images of the Junction shared first prize in the "Local Option Arts Competition". After many years of colour photography, the black and white series of facades and streetscapes of "The Junction" became a point of coming full circle. He continues to use his photography to promote the West Toronto Junction for its diverse architecture, a reflection of its history and people through the passage of time.

links:
Studio Mano Manu: Photography by Emmanuel Mifsud: Junction Retrospective
In Celebration of the Centennial of the City of West Toronto
"Over the years the Junction has evolved into a diverse community with its heart remaining intact, forever attracting people from all over the world."
The Junction Residents Association: Junction Retrospective Opening Reception
Snap Bloor West: Junction Retrospective Photography Opening Reception

tweets:
WestSideTory: RT @SNAPBloorWest: Event: Junction Retrospective Photography Opening Reception Tomorrow 7:00pm
wisedaughters: #JunctionTO free reception for photography show Junction Retrospective by Manni Mifsud tonight 7 pm.
dvshopca: RT @wisedaughters: #JunctionTO Retrospective photo show opens Fri 7 pm with free reception. Come enjoy these images of our hood.

Canada Day 'Arts Picnic' in High Park, July 1, 1 - 4 pm

Poster: Canada Day 'Arts Picnic' in High Park
July 1, 2010, 1 - 4 pm
Credit: gerardkennedy.ca

Come out and celebrate Canada’s 142nd Birthday with your family, friends and neighbours!

CANADA DAY 'ARTS PICNIC' IN HIGH PARK

Thursday, July 1st
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
High Park - Areas 1 & 2
Bloor/High Park Entrance

Featuring local music, dance, and theatre. Supported by local community organizations and businesses. Free. All Welcome!

Hosted by: Gerard Kennedy, M.P. , Parkdale-High Park

Food & Refreshments │ Children’s Activities │ Entertainment

For more information please contact: (416)-769-5072

Don’t miss actors from Dream in High Park at 3pm
& many more local arts groups
including artists from the Junction Arts Festival!

Come out & celebrate Canadian Culture!

Summer Comedy Workshops for Adults Begin July 6 at the Annette Library

Flyer: Toronto Public Library Annette Street Branch
Stand up and Sketch Comedy Classes for Adults with Neil Ross
Tuesday July 6 - Tuesday September 7, 7- 8pm
Credit: torontopubliclibrary.ca

Unleash Your Natural Comic!

Summer Comedy Workshops
Stand up and sketch comedy classes for adults eighteen and over
with Neil Ross

Tuesday July 6 - Tuesday September 7, 7- 8pm

at the Annette Street Public Library
145 Annette Street Toronto, ON , M6P 1P3
[One and a half blocks west of Keele]

Writer/comedian/director Neil Ross has worked in Canadian comedy for thirty years. He has taught stand up comedy to street kids and improvisational comedy to psychiatric survivors - so he can work with you!

Participants will find their natural comic and create comedy in teams. Graduates will debut on the comedy stage of the 2010 Junction Arts Festival both as a solo act and in sketches for a show called EnvironMENTAL Junction (September 9 - 12, 2010).

The cost is $10 a workshop with a 5 workshop minimum.
The last workshop (September 7) is free.

Call the Annette Street Branch at 416-393-7692 today to reserve your spot!

links:
TPL Annette Street Branch Programs and Events
TPL Annette Street Branch Blog

Invitation: Screening of Fezeka's Voice and Celebration the World Cup in South Africa

Poster: Screening of Fezeka’s Voice to celebrate the World Cup in South Africa
National Film Board of Canada Cinema, Thursday July 8th, 2010, 6:30-9:30 pm
Credit: fezeka.com

The Consul General of South Africa in Toronto
Ms. Tselane Mokuena
&
All Living Things
invite you to a private screening
of
Fezeka’s Voice
to celebrate the World Cup in South Africa

The beautiful story of one man, a teacher, who has spent the last 12 years of his life inspiring the children of his township through laughter, love and song.

Thursday July 8th, 2010

Reception: 6:30 to 7:00 pm
Feature Film: 7:15 pm
Post Reception: 8:30 to 9:30 pm

National Film Board of Canada Cinema
150 John St. @ Richmond St. W., Toronto ON M5V 3C3
[TTC: Osgoode subway station]

Donation: $25.00
Proceeds to The Fezeka Foundation
RSVP to events@all-living-things.org

youtube.com: Fezeka: At the heart of this initiative is a documentary, a scholarship fund, and a social network.
Watch the trailer, visit the site, www.fezeka.com and become part of the community.
Credit: cielproductions

links:
CieL Productions: multimedia content for change
All Living Things
ndisafunda.za: Alexandra (Alex) Abraham is blogging from South Africa
Education Without Borders: Fezeka school in Guguletu
Canada South Africa Chamber of Business

Invitation to Aquila's First Year Anniversary: 2 Day Extravaganza

Aguila restaurant & Junction Jazz bar is ready to celebrate its first anniversary
2010 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Jose & Kori
invite you to

Aquila's
1st Year Anniversary
2 Day Extravaganza

June 17 - 18

Aquila Restaurant & Junction Jazz Bar
347 Keele Street & Dundas W
Toronto Ontario M6P 2K6

Located in historic Junction neighbourhood

e-mail: aquilarestaurant@rogers.com
phone: 416-761-7474

come check out

Thursday, June 17 @ 8 pm - 12 am
Paul Gellman Band

&

Friday, June 18 @ 9 pm - 1 am
Bill Beaumont Blues Deluxe

Blues Bands coordinated by Dave McManus is in the house

Great Food & Great Giveaways

"It's all Good in the Hood!"

Details on the AQUILA Restaurant Facebook's page

Follow Aquila on Twitter @AquilaRestaurnt

+ Aquila Restaurant - Junction Jazz: Upcoming Concerts @ the Toronto Jazz Festival: June 15 - July 4, 2010

Your Help Needed to Break the Guinness World Record™

Poster: Worldwide Knit in Public Day 2010
Join the Guinness Book of World Records Attempt for Most People Knitting
June 12, 2010 from 1 - 4 pm (Attempt at 3 pm!)
Design Contributed By: Dig Dug Designs
Logistical Support Provided By: The Junction Forum for Arts & Culture
Credit: wisedaughters.com

Worldwide Knit in Public Day Extravaganza!
Guinness World Record Attempt

When: Saturday, June 12, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Attempt at 3 pm!
Rain Day - Sunday, June 13, 1:00pm – 4:00pm !!!

Where: The Junction Square [Dundas at Pacific]
2954 - 2960 Dundas Street West
The Historic Junction Train Platform

+ Musical guests include:
Beverly Taft http://www.beverlytaft.com/
Melissa Larkin http://www.melissalarkin.com/
Tomboyfriend http://tomboyfriend.com/

And a beautiful classical guitar surprise!

Presented by Wise Daughters and That's Women's Work

June 12 is Worldwide Knit in Public Day and the Junction Square is being taking over to not only brazenly knit in public, but to try to break the Guinness World Record for most knitters in one place at one time!

Novices and experts alike are invited to bring a lawn chair, some needles and yarn, and to be part of history! There will be live entertainment, refreshments and prizes, as well as beginner knitting classes on the spot. The count for the world record will take place at 3 pm sharp.

Participants are encouraged to donate what they knit (that day, or anytime) to Streetknit.

Wise Daughters (3079B Dundas St. W.) is a drop-off point for donations of woollies, yarn and needles. Streetknit meets the last Tuesday of each month at the shop for an evening of knitting and chatting all year round.

Visit www.wisedaughters.com or www.thatswomenswork.com for more details.

Check out Most People Knitting- World Record Attempt event Facebook page.

link:
nationalpost.com: Torontonians hope to set group knitting world record
By Gillian Grace May 6, 2010

+ If you will be around, please stop by and check the Junction Residents Association event:

2nd Annual Junction Yard Sale Day
& Community Potluck

@ Junction Streets

Saturday, June 12 8:00am – 2:00pm

Vernon St, Laws St, McMurray Ave, Vine Ave and Quebec Ave have announced they are participating, but other streets can still join the fun. Take a stroll around our great neighbourhood and get some great deals.

Participating streets are invited to a community potluck in Vine Parkette @ 4pm.

CONTACT 2010 Photography in the Junction: Final Week

flickr: CONTACT 2010 Photography in the Junction Opening Night Receptions May 8, 2010
2010 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

All Welcome at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday, June 3, 6-9 pm

Poster: Boom Times Spring Fling at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm
Poster Art by Rhonda Nolan Design
Credit: JunctionRA.ca Culture Committee
Click on the image to listen on YouTube The Junction Suite, Main Theme, Music by Isaias Garcia - Film Composer
The Junction Suite Compositions: Original Music for the upcoming theatre production. Composed by Isaias Garcia.
Each of the compositions represent a variety of cultures and nations.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/canargentinemusic#grid/user/DF853D3C8996A911
Credit: canargentinemusic

Welcome to and Experience!

Boom Times Spring Fling
at the first annual Humberside HOOPLA
Local artists / mentors working with Humberside C. I. students
to co-create new Visual Art & Theatre

Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time: 6 - 9 pm

Location:
Humberside Collegiate Institute
280 Quebec Avenue, Toronto, ON
(Just north of High Park)
Admission is $2

SPRING FLING 2010

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society and the Junction Residents Association are sponsors of the Boom Times Spring Fling, a community driven art project. Humberside Collegiate students, mentored by local artists in traditional and non-traditional media, create original art and theatre that will be showcased at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm.
A Silent Auction will be held in support of the Local Option Art Project.

Come and experience the world debut of Junction History Mash-up featuring stand up/sketch comedy, archival photographs, comic book art, and original orchestral music by young composer Isaias Garcia, with direction by Neil Ross.
They will be appearing at historic Lismer Hall, HCI HOOPLA at 8 pm.

Artist/mentors Christopher Sears, Rhonda Nolan, Carol Barrett and Cathy Thorne have been working with students to create original cedar sculpture, textile sculpture, altered book and comic zines for the Local Option Art Exhibit.

The art will be on display at the HOOPLA and at Wise Daughters Craft Market during the month of June, starting Saturday June 5 at 2 pm. A Roving Exhibit will be in the Junction throughout the summer at patron businesses.

Poster: All welcome at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm
Credit: Humberside Collegiate Alumni Association

Spring Fling originated at the 2009 Amalgamation Celebration at Humberside C. I., a collaboration between Boom Times Cabaret, The WTJHS, the JRA, students, historians, artists, businesses and community groups.

Photo: The Junction Amalgamation Celebration, May 1, 2009
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Please read more about it in Cara Reeves's article:
The Junction Amalgamation Celebration, May 1, 2009: a Brilliant Folk Art Rendering of Democracy in the Junction.

Press Release: Toronto Russian Film Festival (TRFF)

Photo: Toronto Russian Film Festival Posters
2010 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

MEDIA INFORMATION - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto Russian Film Festival Gives Canadians
A Glimpse Into Post-Soviet Cinema

• Three-day film festival runs from May 14-16, 2010
• Tickets now on sale at www.torontorussianfilmfestival.com

(May 4, 2010 - Toronto, Canada) - Canadians get a peek into post-Soviet cinema during the Toronto Russian Film Festival (TRFF) from May 14 to 16, 2010. Marking its inaugural year, TRFF announces an exciting line-up of 11 Russian and Russian-language feature films, animation works and documentaries including the acclaimed One War and Palata N6 (Ward N6). The festival also celebrates the two Canadian-Russian documentary films - Prokofiev: The Unfinished Diary directed by Yosif Feyginberg and David New's Betrayal.

With screenings at various locations in Toronto including the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), University of Toronto's Innis Town Hall and Bernard Betel Centre in North York, tickets are available from $7 to $22. Regular tickets can be purchased at www.torontorussianfilmfestival.com. Group, student and senior discounts are available by contacting info@torontorussianfilmfestival.ca

TRFF opens with the North American premiere of the Russian-Polish co-production of Just Not Now dedicated to the Polish victims of the recent plan crash tragedy. The adaptation of a wartime romance by one of the most celebrated Soviet writer-dissident, Vladimir Voinovich, will be a charitable screening held at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on May 14, at 8 p.m.

During the three-day Festival, TRFF welcomes a slate of Russian A-listers including: directors Vera Glagoleva and Valery Pendrakovsky; Soviet and post-Soviet cinematic icons Irina Kupchenko, Alexei Petrenko, Svetlana Kryuchkova and Alexander Baluev; and acclaimed Russian writer, screenwriter and producer, Eduard Topol.

The following is a complete list of TRFF's screenings and special events:

FEATURE FILM SCREENINGS

JUST NOT NOW*
(North American Premiere)
2010; 84 min; Russia & Poland; Drama; Directed by Valery Pendrakovsky
An adaptation of Vladimir Voinovich's short story, The Smell of Chocolate. Taking place in Poland in 1953, this film tells the love story of a Polish girl and a Russian soldier. Starring Alexander Domogarov - Junior, Vyacheslav Shalevich, Daniel Olbrychski and Magdalena Lamparskaya and produced by Valery Pendrakovskiy and Petr Skulski.
Note: This screening is in honour of the Polish victims of the recent plane crash tragedy.

Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m.; John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre, 4300 Cawthra Road, Mississauga, ON

BURY ME BEHIND THE BASEBOARD* (POHORONITE MENYA ZA PLINTUSOM)
(North American Premiere)
2009; 111 min; Russia; Social Drama; Directed by Sergei Snezhkin
Based on an autobiographical novel by Pavel Sanaev, the film follows the story of a boy who comes from a conflicted family and is forced to maneuver within the complex relationships between his grandparents, his mother and her lover, and all of them together. Starring Alexei Petrenko, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Maria Shukshina, Konstantin Vorobyov and Alexander Drobitko and produced by Michael Litvak and Leonid Litvak.

Saturday, May 15 at 11:30 a.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

THE MAN WHO KNEW EVERYTHING*
(North American Premiere)
2009; 107 min; Russia; Erotic Thriller; Directed by Vladimir Mirzoev
Based on the novel by Igor Sakhnovsky, the winner of the prestigious literary awards "Big Book" and "Russian Booker" (2007). After attempting suicide, Alexander suddenly acquires the phenomenal ability to get an instant answer to any question. A modest and inoffensive person, suddenly everyone is after him - including women, mafia mobsters, and the international security forces. Some want to make use of his abilities, others to destroy him. But Alexander continues to live according to the laws of his own conscience. Starring Yegor Beroev, Ekaterina Guseva, Maxim Sukhanov and Andrew Tashkov and produced by Timur Weinstein and Oleg Osipov.

Saturday, May 15 at 7 p.m.; Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto ON

ON THE BRINK I STAND* (NA KRAJU STOJU)
(North American Premiere)
2008; 87 min; Russia; Thriller; Directed by Rauf Kubaev
A frontier guard Andrey discovers tanks where drug dealers hide huge parties of heroin while crossing the Afghani border. In revenge for their colossal losses, gangsters decide to execute Andrey. Having avoided death by miracle, he not only gets even with his executioners, but also wins his love back. Starring Arthur Smolijaninov, Svetlana Ustinova, Ravshana Kurkova with Eduard Topol as producer and screenwriter.

Saturday, May 15 at 10 p.m.; Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON

WARD No. 6* (PALATA No. 6)
(Toronto Russian Film Festival Premiere)
2009; 83 min; Russia; Drama; Directed by Karen Shakhnazarov & Alexandre Gornovsky
Based on a novel by A.P Chekhov, the head doctor of the provincial mental hospital deems one of his patients to be a man with an original way of thinking and his own philosophy. Through the conversations with this patient, the doctor realizes the madness of the world and soon becomes crazy too. But who decides what the line between sanity and insanity is? Starring Vladimir Iljin, Alexander Pankratov-Cherniy, Yevgeny Stychkin and Aleksei Vertkov and produced by Karen Shakhnazarov.

Saturday, May 15 at 6 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

THE MAN WHO KNEW EVERYTHING*
(North American Premiere)
2009; 107 min; Russia; Erotic Thriller; Directed by Vladimir Mirzoev
Based on the novel by Igor Sakhnovsky, the winner of the prestigious literary awards "Big Book" and "Russian Booker" (2007). After attempting suicide, Alexander suddenly acquires the phenomenal ability to get an instant answer to any question. A modest and inoffensive person, suddenly everyone is after him - including women, mafia mobsters, and the international security forces. Some want to make use of his abilities, others to destroy him. But Alexander continues to live according to the laws of his own conscience. Starring Yegor Beroev, Ekaterina Guseva, Maxim Sukhanov and Andrew Tashkov and produced by Timur Weinstein and Oleg Osipov.

Sunday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

JUST NOT NOW*
(North American Premiere)
2010; 84 min; Russia & Poland; Drama; Directed by Valery Pendrakovsky
An adaptation of Vladimir Voinovich's short story, The smell of chocolate. Taking place in Poland in 1953, this film tells the love story of a Polish girl and a Russian soldier. Starring Alexander Domogarov - Junior, Vyacheslav Shalevich, Daniel Olbrychski and Magdalena Lamparskaya and produced by Valery Pendrakovskiy, Petr Skulski.

Sunday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

ONE WAR*
(North American Premiere)
2009; 85 min; Russia; Drama; Directed by Vera Glagoleva
Based on real events in May 1945 during the Second World War, the film sheds light on an island for female prisoners and the children they bore to the Nazi occupants. The women live with the hope of liberation and forgiveness, but reality turns out differently. Starring Alexander Baluev, Natalia Surkova, Anna Nahapetova, Fyodor Koposov, and Julia Melnikova and produced by Vera Glagoleva and Natalia Ivanova.

Sunday, May 16 at 7:40 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

ALEUSHKA'S AND YERYOMA'S ADVENTURES
(North American Premiere)
2008; 85 min; Russia; 3D Animation; Directed by George Gitis
This 3D animated film is a musical fairy tale with a twist in which Russian national motives are interconnected with the present. Alenushka and Yeryoma live in the fantasy country and they love each other, but magical apples that Alenushka happens to receive as a gift interferes with their happiness. The artful Shah and Knight want to kidnap Alenushka, but love, as always, wins over the most terrible sorcery. Produced by Armen Manasarjan and Gevorg Nersisyan.
*Presented in Russian language only, this film does not have subtitles

Sunday, May 16 at 12 p.m.; Bernard Betel Centre, 1003 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto ON

A COUPLE OF BAY HORSES (PARA GNEDYH)
(North American Premiere)
2010; 96 min; Russian; Drama; Directed by Sergei Krutin
A granddaughter comes to visit her grandmother for the summer. They are very different and have not seen each other for a long time. The grandmother is old-fashioned and strict, and the granddaughter is a modern, independent young woman. It is hard for them to be together, but suddenly they are brought close by the eternal theme - the relationship of men and women and how to behave in order not to be left with a broken heart and broken life. Starring Irina Kupchenko, Agniya Kuznetsova, Mikhail Zhigalov and Jaroslav Zhalnin and produced by Alexander Bokovikov and Sergey Sendyk.

Sunday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m.; Bernard Betel Centre, 1003 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto ON

DOCUMENTARY SCREENINGS

The following documentaries are by Russian-Canadian filmmakers.

VLADIMIR NABOKOV. RUSSIAN ROOTS.*
(North American Premiere)
2010; 26 min; Russia I Documentary; Directed by Olga Chekalina
The film dedicated to the Russian period of the life of the great writer Vladimir Nabokov. Central to this film is an interview with his son Dmitri Vladimirivich which refers to the last unpublished novel of V. Nabokov "Original Laura". Produced by Olga Popova and executive produced by Natalia Semina.

Saturday, May 15 at 2:15 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

PROKOFIEV: THE UNFINISHED DIARY*
(Toronto Russian Film Festival Premiere)
2008; 52 min; Canada & France; Documentary; Directed by Yosif Feyginberg
Based on the published Prokofiev's Diary, the film reveals the largely untold story of the composer's 18 pivotal years between 1918 and1936 outside Russia. It exposes the raw drama, pathos, and emotional upheaval of an itinerant artist who wanders from Russia to the U.S, to Europe, and then shockingly returns to Russia. The film investigates Prokofiev's life and art through his own words, and examines the complex interaction between the works of this period, and the bewildering choices Prokofiev made at this time. Produced by Barbara Barde, Paul Saadoun, Yosif Feyginberg and co-executive produced by Natalia Semina.

Saturday, May 15 at 3:40 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

BETRAYAL*
(Toronto Russian Film Festival Premiere)
2004; 52 min; Canada; Documentary; Directed by David New
He was a linguist, a brilliant academic, and a master spy. She was a seductive blonde beauty, dressed in minks and diamonds. Karl Koecher is the only known intelligence agent from the Soviet Bloc who succeeded in penetrating the CIA. He and his wife Hana spent 20 years leading a double life as "sleepers", Soviet moles building up a carefully designed identity. But it seems they led another secret life - as swingers, trading partners and attendees of orgies in the swing clubs of Washington D.C. and New York City. They may well have collected deeper secrets still from members of the American military who shared their beds. Betrayal features exclusive interviews with Karl and Hana Koecher; Vladimir Kruchkov, the former head of the KGB; and Alexander Sokolov, the former head of Soviet Counterintelligence. Produced by Simcha Jacobovici and Robert Topol.

Saturday, May 15 at 4:40 p.m.; Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON

SPECIAL EVENTS
CREATIVE MEETING WITH WRITER EDWARD TOPOL
Acclaimed Russian writer, screenwriter and producer Edward Topol talks about his latest novel Margaret's Brotherhood Known for his literary talent and his knowledge of Russia, Topol is the author behind bestselling literary works such as The Kremlin's Wife, The Red Square and Free Flight of a Single Blond Girls. Topol's The Red Square and The Minors have been made into films.

Sunday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m.; Bernard Betel Centre, 1003 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto ON

*Indicates this film has English subtitles

Toronto Russian Film Festival
Founded in January 2010, the Toronto Russian Film Festival (TRFF) is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to promote the art of Russian and Russian-language post-Soviet cinema in Canada. TRFF not only encourages professional exchanges between Canadian and Russian filmmakers, but also provides a platform for ongoing dialogue between the Russian communities in Toronto and Moscow and an arena to foster business opportunities between the two countries.
For more information, please visit: www.torontorussianfilmfestival.com.

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Media Contact:
Hina P. Ansari
INAR PR
Tel: 416.568.4462
Email: hina@inar.ca