Documentary Films

A vibrant portrait of passion, tradition, and the joyful spirit of Thai dance Dancing With Opas is a captivating documentary that follows renowned Thai dancer and choreographer Opas Yarcammee as he trains and inspires a new generation of performers in Chiang Mai. With a contagious passion for the art of dance and a deep reverence for Thai culture, Opas blends tradition and innovation to create something truly his own. The film begins in Opas' studio, where he teaches Thai classical dance to a lively group of teens. We witness the transformation from playful students to focused performers under his encouraging yet disciplined guidance. His charisma, warmth, and humor foster an environment where creativity thrives and cultural legacy is honored. As rehearsals evolve, Opas begins to weave Western elements—like Latin and ballroom steps—into the fabric of traditional Thai choreography, crafting performances that are both deeply rooted and refreshingly modern. We follow him and his troupe as they take the stage at a variety of venues, from school events to major festivals, culminating in a spectacular performance during Chiang Mai’s 720th anniversary celebration. Beyond the stage, the film offers a personal glimpse into Opas’ world. From late-night karaoke sessions to shared meals and cultural storytelling, we see how his “joie de vivre” extends far beyond the dance floor—touching everyone he works with and inspiring his students to pursue excellence with joy and heart. With stunning handmade costumes, glowing lanterns, and heartfelt music, Dancing With Opas is more than a dance film—it’s a tribute to a beloved teacher, a cultural ambassador, and a creative force whose influence ripples through every performance.

Set against the shimmering waters of Thailand under a full moon sky, Loy Krathong is a visual and cultural journey into one of the country's most enchanting festivals. Celebrated annually on the twelfth lunar month, this deeply symbolic event invites participants to release handmade offerings—krathongs crafted from banana leaves and lit with candles—into rivers and canals, creating a breathtaking spectacle of floating light. The film immerses viewers in the spiritual layers of the tradition: honoring Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water, in gratitude for her life-sustaining gifts; paying homage to the Buddha with hopes that the offerings reach sacred realms; and embracing themes of forgiveness, renewal, and letting go. Interwoven with scenes of vibrant parades, traditional music, and community celebration, Loy Krathong offers a poetic reflection on the bond between humanity, nature, and the divine. More than a festival, this is a moment of collective release—where candlelit prayers drift across water, carrying wishes into the night.

Philip Tétrault has been locked up in jails and psych wards, kicked out of the house by desperate friends and family and spent long periods living on the streets of Montreal. However, he is also a talented writer and loving father whose deep family bonds and friendships have helped him come through periods of incredible darkness brought on by his schizophrenia. Directed by Pierre Tétrault, This Beggar’s Description tells his brother Phil’s story — one of art, love, and madness — capturing the far-reaching effects of schizophrenia on one man, his friends and his family. Phil’s writing is central both to his life and to this documentary — offering extraordinary insights into street life in Montreal, the beauty of nature and what he calls “the gymnastics of my mind.” His unpublished novel, Travels in Schizophrenia, is so intense that to this day Phil can’t read it, for fear that it will bring on his schizophrenia. Today he spends his days with friends on the street, collects cans for beer money, plays his beloved pan flute and writes as much as he can. Phil often mentions the manuscript poetry book in Montreal, which is attended by his old friend and great supporter Leonard Cohen, whose songs are woven throughout the film. In this powerful and moving portrait, we are reminded that rather than consigning to isolate those with schizophrenia, it is a far richer experience to make a place for them. --- ABOUT THE DIRECTOR With This Beggar’s Description, actor, director, artistic director, and playwright Pierre Tétrault launches his film career after making his mark in theatre. Previously, he developed theatre for young audiences at Carousel Players (St. Catharines, Ontario), before joining Young People’s Theatre, Toronto in 1998 as artistic director. Notable shows include Dora award nominees Mella Mella, The Prince and the Pauper, and Ghost Train. Tétrault’s co-writing credits include Crack Diary, *Peacocks and Bandadits, The Nightingale and Gandhi High* --- ABOUT THE PRODUCER Gerry Flahive has worked on more than 30 films for the NFB, including the Genie Award-winning Just Watch Me: Trudeau and the ’70s Generation, McLuhan’s Wake, Project Grizzly, Shinny: The Hockey in All of Us and The Next Big Thing. In 2004 he produced the award-winning It’s a Girl’s World, about social bullying among girls. --- Written, Directed and Narrated by PIERRE TÉTRAULT Produced by GERRY FLAHIVE Director of Photography PIERRE LETARTE c.s.c. Editor GREG HOPEN Sound Designer CHRIS MILLER Original Music by DONALD QUAN Creative Consultant DORIS RASJAN Executive Producers SILVA BASMAJIAN, SYLVIA SWEENEY Featuring the prose and poetry of PHILIP TÉTRAULT Featuring the music of LEONARD COHEN --- © 2003 National Film Board of Canada

Lanna Style and Grace A documentary celebrating dance, identity, and the spirit of Northern Thailand Follow Waewdao and her dynamic dance-theatre troupe as they bring the vibrant traditions of Lanna culture to life — from five-star hotel stages to temple grounds, university parking lots, and remote village clearings along the Mekong River. Lanna Style and Grace is a visually stunning journey through movement, music, and meaning. Whether performing a dazzling Lanna reinterpretation of The Phantom of the Opera for international tourists on New Year’s Eve, collaborating with a French contemporary dance troupe to challenge Thai audiences at Chiang Mai University, or offering traditional dances in a Lao village as sacred tributes, Waewdao’s troupe adapts with grace, purpose, and cultural pride. More than just performance, this documentary reveals how dance can become a voice for change. Through their expressive choreography, the troupe raises powerful questions about environmental protection in Doi Suthep, the struggles of displaced immigrants, and the fight for 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Thai society. Shot against the lush and varied backdrops of Northern Thailand, the film is a celebration of handmade Lanna textiles, rich traditions, and the joy of creative collaboration. With every rehearsal and performance, Waewdao exudes calm and joy — inspiring her dancers to move with passion and authenticity. Lanna Style and Grace is a tribute to the power of art as both cultural preservation and social commentary. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in dance, identity, and the unifying spirit of performance.

Set in the cool January air of Chiang Mai, this film offers a rare glimpse into the ancient Lanna tradition of Tan Khao Mai—a ceremonial celebration of gratitude, renewal, and reverence. Filmed at the beautifully preserved Wat Intharawat (Wat Ton Kwen), one of the last remaining wooden temples in the region, the documentary captures a deeply spiritual moment in the life of the local community. From dawn until nightfall, villagers gather to offer rice and food to the Buddha, light a towering candle in a monastic rite, and ignite a symbolic bonfire—meant to warm the Buddha during the cold season. As flames dance into the twilight, participants circle the fire in prayerful movement, giving thanks for the past year’s harvest and making merit through intention, ritual, and action. The evening culminates in a vibrant dragon procession and a cultural spectacle of music, light, and traditional Lanna dance. With its richly textured visuals, traditional costumes, and immersive access to a ceremony rarely seen by Western eyes, the film celebrates Thai Buddhist devotion and an intimate portrayal of a community honoring its ancestral roots through ritual and joy. Written, Directed and Narrated by PIERRE TÉTRAULT Editor and Creative Consultant KRIS KASYAN