Simon Fraser University film grad Brendan Prost is about to debut his fourth feature film, Sensitive Parts, at Vancity Theatre on April 16 and 18 as part of Canadian Film Week.
Both locally-produced and shot screenings will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and lead actors as well as a subsequent digital release of the film across multiple VOD platforms.
Sensitive Parts is a tender, sharply observed dramatic comedy about an insecure young woman (Dolore, played by local actor Carolyn Yonge) forced to confront her social anxiety and interpersonal fears before they consume her and the people she loves — with a little help along the way from the imaginary manifestation of an iconic pop star (Fierce, played by local actor Monice Peter).
“The film is ultimately about a character who faces the potentially debilitating consequences of their insecurity and social anxiety, and discovers that the ability to overcome those fears is a matter of strength, will and self-love,” says Prost. “For me, it’s an aspirational journey of self-transformation. In the movie, Dolore experiences a revelation that I hope to”.
Produced and shot in East Vancouver on a modest, self-financed budget of $8,000 in only 12 days, Sensitive Parts is a remarkable achievement in auteur-driven DIY filmmaking with a unique emotional energy — the result of a particularly intensive collaboration between the actors and director.
With its guerrilla, doggedly independent approach, Sensitive Parts dovetails with a trending, insurgent movement in Canadian cinema towards freedom and innovation reflected in the work of other filmmakers such as Kazik Radwanski, Matt Johnson and Sofia Bohdanowicz.
Prost, who graduated from Simon Fraser University’s film program in 2014, is emerging as one of Canada’s most prolific young filmmakers, and was recently a resident in the Directors’ Lab at the Canadian Film Centre in Toronto.
Prost’s previous feature Spaces and Reservations had its world premiere to more than 400 eager Vancouverites at the Rio Theatre in May 2014.
Sensitive Parts has been heralded by the Independent Critic as “a sweet, funny and endearing little film that blossoms largely on the strength of its top notch ensemble cast” and by the UK Film Review in a four-star review as “an instant cult classic… like a lost gem from Woody Allen’s back catalogue”.
The film will be screening in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Tickets for the Vancouver screening are $12 at the door or in advance via VIFF.