To Watch at VIFF

A notorious trauma bay in an inner-city E.R. earns its keep as the 'hurt locker of medicine' as new, idealistic and adrenaline-seeking doctors train in an environment akin to a war zone. When the hospital moves to a swank new building, the rush fades and bureaucracy gridlocks the state-of-the-art facility, and the doctors are faced with the unexpected realities of life and death in a safety-net health-care system on the brink of overload.

The fire of revolution has spread to Cuba! Director Jesse Acevedo risked his own freedom; using hidden camera methods, he brings viewers inside the brewing Cuban revolution. Those filmed are at risk, even now, of imprisonment but through the courage of those willing to speak out we see the new Cuba rising to the beat of Los Aldeanos. In a small town outside Havana two young brothers, are beaten and arrested in their own home and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for listening to rappers Los Aldeanos, banned by the government. We follow the intermingled stories of the Cruz brothers and the band they love. From the streets of Havana comes the sound of struggle and the voice of a new revolution - Los Aldeanos.

History student Palach's self-immolation protesting Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1969. Lawyer Buresová defended his family against communist regime's attempt to dishonor his sacrifice for freedom.

When I Walk is one man's emotional and inspiring journey during six years of life following his multiple sclerosis diagnosis. For Jason DaSilva, life's most challenging and joyous moments are yet to come.

Nearly 100 years after its creation, the power of the U.S. Federal Reserve has never been greater. Markets and governments around the world hold their breath in anticipation of the Fed Chairman's every word. Yet the average person knows very little about the most powerful - and least understood - financial institution on earth. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, Money For Nothing is the first film to take viewers inside the Fed and reveal the impact of Fed policies - past, present, and future - on our lives. Join current and former Fed officials as they debate the critics, and each other, about the decisions that helped lead the global financial system to the brink of collapse in 2008. And why we might be headed there again.

Salmon Confidential portrays the government cover-up of what is killing BC's wild salmon. When biologist Alexandra Morton discovers salmon in BC are testing positive for dangerous European viruses, a chain of events is is set off by government to suppress these findings. Tracking viruses, Morton moves from courtrooms into British Columbia's most remote rivers, Vancouver grocery stores and sushi restaurants. The film documents Morton's journey as she attempts to overcome government and industry roadblocks thrown in her path and works to bring critical information to the public in time to save BC's wild salmon. The film provides surprising insight into the workings of government agencies, and rare footage of bureaucrats tasked with managing the safety of our fish and food supply.

This is an unashamedly opinionated film. In Gore Vidal's America, the political coup has already happened. The right have triumphed and the human values of the liberals have been consigned to history. But how did this happen and who organized it? In this film Gore Vidal's acerbic, opinionated and informed approach rips away at the facade of the new America. The film dramatizes Gore's political views and his concern at the present state of American democracy using interviews and historical footage of his famous appearances on television and talk shows over the last fifty years. In the recently filmed interviews Gore examines the course of American history and policy making and draws dramatic conclusions on the fate of the nation in the modern age.

Follows the court case of three members of the Russian feminist punk protest group Pussy Riot after their performance in a Russian Orthodox cathedral.

In this intense, immersive journey, a young boy finds himself lost in the lively, dangerous world of the New York City subway, while his mother fiercely searches for him above ground in a race against the clock as Hurricane Sandy nears.

The 42 year long relationship between legendary actress Liv Ullmann and master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman.

Amid the Civil War in 17th-century England, a group of deserters flee from battle through an overgrown field. Captured by an alchemist, the men are forced to help him search to find a hidden treasure that he believes is buried in the field.

'Billy Elliot with sax meets Buena Vista Social Club in Cape Town, South Africa.' 13-Year-old Felix dreams of becoming a saxophonist like his late father, Zweli, of the famous Bozza Boys Band. His mother, Lindiwe, hates jazz, which she blames for Zweli's death. Because of alcohol, he died before her youngest son was born. Felix's world is turned upside down when he wins a scholarship to a prestigious school. Wanting to prove himself, he auditions for the school concert, but he can't read music. Two aging ex-Bozza Boys give Felix a cash course on the saxophone and teach him about his musical roots and his father's past. Through Felix's determination, his mother Lindiwe is able to forgive her late husband and celebrate Felix's musical talent.

An examination of Venice, Italy, its rise as a tourist attraction and its linked decline as a functioning city.

An afternoon at the amusement park. Viljami, 12, takes a step towards his adolescense.

A dying man's love letter to his wife, as he counts his last breath.

A crowd of people in Iran gather to watch the execution of a young girl. She cries and begs everyone for help. Horrified, people look away as the girl is about to get hanged, but one particular bystander cannot remain silent.

Beginning at the end of a first date, a man and woman continue to get to know each other while sharing a cab home. But when on a date with someone from the Internet, how can you really know who you've just spent the last few hours with?

The Film incorporates performance and sculpture to examine themes of protest, and destructive and restorative transformations.

A Christmas message, revealing the immeasurable power of words.

Murdochville,1957. A family is forced to move, as the father, pained by a long miners' strike, finds a new job in the city.

A love triangle between a man, a maiden and a monster.

Synchronizing to music, ink drawings 'grow' in an interplay of curiosity, timid encounters and dynamic pursuits.

Three people meet in a seedy part of Montreal.

Jane discovers a truth about her husband.