We Forgot to Break Up is a 2024 Canadian drama film, directed by Karen Knox. Adapted from the novel Heidegger Stairwell by Kayt Burgess,[1] the film centres on The New Normals, an indie rock band from a small town led by trans man singer Evan (Lane Webber), who move to Toronto in pursuit of stardom.[2]
| We Forgot to Break Up | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Karen Knox |
| Written by | Noel S. Baker Pat Mills Zoe Whittall |
| Based on | Heidegger Stairwell by Kayt Burgess |
| Produced by | Nicole Hilliard-Forde |
| Starring | Lane Webber Daniel Gravelle June Laporte |
| Cinematography | Jordan Kennington |
| Edited by | Anna Catley |
| Music by | Torquil Campbell |
Production company | Motel Pictures |
| Distributed by | Northern Banner Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
The cast also includes Daniel Gravelle, June Laporte, Jordan Dawson, Hallea Jones, Jade Hassouné, Xavier Lopez, Gwenlyn Cumyn, Nicolette Pearse, Keara Graves, Evan Buliung, Janelle Cooper, Nicolas Babin and Joe Drinkwalter.
Production
editA short film based on the novel, We Forgot to Break Up, was previously directed by Chandler Levack and released in 2017.[3] The feature film version went into production in 2022 in North Bay, with its screenplay written by Noel S. Baker, Pat Mills and Zoe Whittall.[4]
The film's soundtrack includes several original songs written by Torquil Campbell of the indie rock band Stars, as well as songs by Peaches, Gentleman Reg and The Hidden Cameras.
Distribution
editThe film premiered on March 17, 2024, at BFI Flare,[5] and had its Canadian premiere in May as the closing gala of the Inside Out Film and Video Festival.[6]
Critical response
editLindsay Clarke of Exclaim! rated the film 8 out of 10, writing that "the place where We Forgot to Break Up shines the most is in its ability to equally represent both the excitement and heartbreak of young adulthood — the pain of breaking up, of pining after someone, of taking what you have for granted. We Forgot to Break Up takes place over the span of a few short years, but by the end, Evan and the rest of the band have learned so much (and yet so little) that it feels like a lifetime of experiences."[2]
Awards
editKnox was co-winner of the DGC Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film, alongside Fawzia Mirza for The Queen of My Dreams.[7]
References
edit- ^ Victoria Ahearn, "Motel Pictures filming queer indie music film We Forgot to Break Up". Playback, November 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Lindsay Clarke, "Inside Out 2024: 'We Forgot to Break Up' Pens a Love Song for Toronto's Music Scene". Exclaim!, May 28, 2024.
- ^ Meghan Collie, "Chandler Levack on Her New TIFF Short & the Importance of Telling Trans Stories" Archived 2020-07-13 at the Wayback Machine. Flare, September 13, 2017.
- ^ Melanie Goodfellow, "Lane Webber, Daniel Gravelle, June Laporte, Jordan Dawson & Hallea Jones Join Cast Of Toronto Indie Music Scene Feature ‘We Forgot To Break Up’". Deadline Hollywood, November 9, 2022.
- ^ Ellie Calnan, "BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival unveils full line-up". Screen Daily, February 13, 2024.
- ^ Valerie Complex, "Inside Out 2slgbtq+ 34th Annual Film Festival Reveals Full Lineup". Deadline Hollywood, May 3, 2024.
- ^ Alex Nino Gheciu, "‘Queen of My Dreams,’ ‘We Forgot to Break Up’ tie for top Directors Guild award". Brandon Sun, October 28, 2024.
External links
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