Nice People is a new documentary that follows the first-ever Somali bandy team in their struggle to reach the World Championship in Siberia in 2014. The team lives and trains in Borlänge, Sweden and is coached by legendary former bandy player Per Fosshaug and Cia Embretsen.
Toronto Black Film Festival
For the second year running, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences failed to nominate an actor from black or ethnic-minority backgrounds for the Oscars. Against that contentious backdrop, this local festival showcases black films and encourages debate on diversity issues. Highlights include an opening-night screening of the South African drama Thina Sobabili (Feb. 10, Isabel Bader Theatre) and a tribute to (and the appearance of) acting icon Alfre Woodward (Feb. 13, Art Gallery of Ontario). TBFF runs from Feb. 10 to 14, various venues; torontoblackfilm.com.
Nice People
For a group of young men who fled war-torn Somalia and ended up in rural Sweden, the sport of bandy was dandy when it came to integrating themselves into the community. An uplifting documentary follows their hockey-ish, fish-out-of-water aspirations. Feb. 5 to 15 (various dates), Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.
What an Idiot
Or is he? In a Canadian comedy written and directed by Peter Benson (Death Do Us Part), a man befriends a bombshell female co-worker by pretending to be gay. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty. (14A) Feb. 5 to 11 (various dates), Kingsway Theatre.
Brad Wheeler