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This overlooked Canadian indie gem was one of the first queer films at the Cannes Film Festival.
The indie film Winter Kept Us Warm may have been the first English-language Canadian film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival, but it has remained in relative obscurity for many years. The film follows Doug (John Labow), a popular senior at the University of Toronto who takes shy freshman Peter (Henry Tarvainen) under his wing. Both have girlfriends, but as their friendship grows, Doug begins to develop especially strong feelings for Peter. Director David Secter had to keep the relationship at the center of the film ambiguous due to the era in which it was made, but when viewed today the tension is undeniable. A groundbreaking film in the development of Canadian cinema, Winter Kept Us Warm paved the way for other Canadian queer filmmakers such as John Greyson, Bruce LaBruce, and Patricia Rozema. Introduced by David Marriott, cofounder of Arbelos Films and Canadian International Pictures. (81 mins., 4K DCP)
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Winter Kept Us Warm, courtesy of Canadian International Pictures.
Winter Kept Us Warm was scanned and restored in 4K from the original 16mm A/B negatives by Canadian International Pictures with funding provided by Telefilm Canada.
FILM/VIDEO PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
Ohio Humanities
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Rohauer Collection Foundation
WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Wexner Family
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Mellon Foundation
Every Page Foundation
Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts
CampusParc
Nationwide Foundation
Lois S. and H. Roy Chope Fund of The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation
Axium Packaging
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Ohio History Fund/Ohio History Connection
David Crane and Elizabeth Dang
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Winter Kept Us Warm
