Must-see NFB

>> The docs Obaachen's Garden and Tommy Sexton celebrate two very different lives

by MATTHEW HAYS

From the opening frames of the marvelous documentary feature Tommy... A Family Portrait, we see what made Codco troupe regular Tommy Sexton such an exceptionally hilarious man.

His characters were insanely inspired, infused with jabs at the Catholic church and Newfoundland culture, among many other things. Sexton succumbed to AIDS several years ago. But in this documentary, the late artist is handed a beautiful tribute, wherein clips punctuate revealing tales about his childhood and coming of age, all told from the perspective of his loving mom and large and complicated roster of siblings.

This film shines, in the best possible way, in a clear reflection of Sexton's energy and character. What we get are refreshing insights into his inspiration. Sexton played a mentally-damaged girl in a recurring sketch in Codco. This, we learn, was drawn from an older sister who had suffered brain damage. There was nothing nasty about Sexton's characterization; rather, it was his way of pulling laughter out of a difficult family situation. Tommy... recently had its premiere in St. John's, Newfoundland, where it played to a sold-out crowd, who gave the film a standing ovation. Don't miss the Montreal premiere of this ode to a Newfie hero.

In another NFB entry screening this week, a longer life is examined. In Obaachen's Garden, filmmaker Linda Ohama turns the camera on Asayo Murakami, her 103-year-old grandmother. In a film that is part recreation, part interview and part archival footage compilation, Ohama recounts Murakami's long journey to Canada from Japan. Murakami's life story is fascinating, alternately sad and, as it touches on some of the worst aspects of the 20th century, ultimately disturbing. A commanding look at history from an intensely personal perspective, this film won the Audience Choice Award at the recent Vancouver Film Festival.

Obaachen's Garden screens Oct. 26-28. Tommy... A Family Portrait screens in a benefit for the Image&Nation Film Festival, Oct. 31, 7:30pm. Both at the NFB