'Village Keeper' director Karen Chapman on telling "lived-in" stories through cinema

02/13/25 • 20 min

In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk speaks with filmmaker Karen Chapman about her narrative feature Village Keeper, which explores themes of trauma, grief, and economic disparity through the story of a Toronto single mother.

Chapman shares her desire to capture "lived-in" moments on screen, and how location plays a vital role in shaping character and story, highlighting the impact of class and economic realities on filmmaking.

Chapman reflects on the challenges of directing while eight-and-a-half months pregnant, the need for better industry support for mothers and underrepresented filmmakers, and the value of mentorship programs like the Canadian Film Centre and TIFF Talent Lab (which helped shape her career).

This episode was recorded during the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival.

This podcast is brought to you by the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Presented on the traditional and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

This episode was recorded during the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival.

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'7 Beats Per Minute' Director Yuqi Kang on the arts of Free Diving and Filmmaking

In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk interviews filmmaker Yuqi Kang about her documentary 7 Beats Per Minute, which explores the world of free diving and the connection between humanity and nature.

Kang shares how a YouTube clip sparked her own free diving journey and led her to meet Jessea Lu, a prominent Chinese free diver who became the subject of her film. She reflects on the challenges of underwater cinematography, from unpredictable weather to capturing authentic moments beneath the surface, and the importance of adapting to nature’s elements.

Kang also discusses her transition from documentary to narrative filmmaking and how Vancouver's cultural and creative environment has influenced her work.

This episode was recorded during the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival.

Next Episode

'Preface to a History' director Devan Scott on experimental filmmaking and mental health

In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Vancouver filmmaker Devan Scott speaks with VIFF Year-Round Programmer Tom Charity about his experimental feature Preface to a History, co-directed with Willa Ross. The film explores mental health struggles through the characters Vlad and Sophie—Vlad immerses himself in audiobooks, while Sophie grapples with career dissatisfaction.

Scott shares how his experience listening to a 105-hour audiobook about the Third Reich while on a ski trip inspired the film and discusses the importance of sound design in shaping its unconventional storytelling. He also reflects on the challenges of shooting with a minimal crew in Vancouver and Pender Island, the influence of filmmakers like Chantal Akerman and Jacques Tati, and the evolving collaboration between him and Ross.

This episode was recorded during the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival.