Christie PITS FILM FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, August 27, 2023

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

With the short films Indigo and Fox and the Whale

This screening was originally scheduled for our programme at Bell Manor Park, though regrettably cancelled mid-evening by a thunderstorm. TOPS is delighted to offer this screening a lucky second chance as the newly announced surprise final screening at Christie Pits Park on August 27. Don't miss our other "encore" screenings taking place at Evergreen Brick Works from August 29 - 31 - the final shows of the summer! 

One of cinema’s most beloved non-human characters for over forty years, Steven Spielberg’s titular extra-terrestrial is accidentally stranded on Earth when his spaceship leaves him behind during an exploratory visit from their world. A near-perfect sci-fi adventure, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial turns the conventional tropes of otherworldly discovery upside down, inviting us to explore ordinary childhood on earth as if it were a new experience: tasting pizza and candy for the first time, watching flowers grow, even secretly imbibing beverages intended for grownups. But E.T.’s adventure on Earth is most poignant when he experiences the emotional power of a true and deep friendship, the danger of those who fear difference, and the pain of homesickness. A cultural touchstone for several generations, its themes continue to resonate for audiences of all ages.

Accompanying E.T. are two shorts by visionary animators. Toronto filmmaker Robin Joseph’s Oscar-shortlisted short Fox and the Whale is a lyrical, wordless fable about a small fox searching the world for an elusive whale. This story of yearning and the pursuit of meaning is rendered in incredibly vivid animation that calls to mind children’s book illustrations. Vancouver-based Michif media artist Amanda Strong uses stop-motion animation to craft a dream-like world in Indigo. With imagery inspired by the Indigenous medicine wheel, this richly textured short film tells the story of a woman seeking to reconnect with her memories and restore her spirit with help from Grandmother Spider.