Rendezvous with Madness Festival
On the ice he held nothing back, but off the ice, Sheldon Kennedy was hiding shame and secrets. Opening this year's collection of films on mental illness and addiction (and contextualizing postscreening discussions) is Swift Current (Nov. 6, 7:45, Bloor Hot Docs), a documentary on the ex-NHLer who has been haunted by the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his major-junior coach and mentor. (Nov. 6-14; various venues, rendezvouswithmadness.com)
Difret
This African-made docudrama, executive-produced by Angelina Jolie Pitt, is based on the true story of a young Ethiopian girl facing a death sentence after accidentally killing the would-be husband who had legally kidnapped her. A bulldog lawyer helps her fight the law and patriarchal tradition. (Carlton Cinema)
Of Men and War
From Laurent Bécue-Renard, a meticulous war-trauma documentary testifies to the damaged souls and psyches of U.S. soldiers upon their return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The subject matter is getting more attention on big screens of late – a commendable trend. (Carlton Cinema)