The Perlich Post: Thunder Soul wins BIG at Hot Docs!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Thunder Soul wins BIG at Hot Docs!

Time to make some room for more hardware in the Kashmere High School trophy case. I'm thrilled to report that Thunder Soul, The Perlich Post's pick to click at Hot Docs 2010 (see preview), has won festival's prestigious Audience Award by popular vote.
With more than 170 films screened for an estimated 136,000 attendees, the 11-day event was the biggest and most successful Hot Docs festival ever. Yet despite the disappointing lack of advance press for Thunder Soul – none of Toronto's numerous daily or weekly newspapers previewed the film in any substantial way – Mark Landsman's brilliant chronicle of Houston's Kashmere Stage Band under the direction of Conrad "Prof" Johnson still connected with Toronto's knowledgeable film fans. Ballots were cast by filmgoers and Thunder Soul proved to be the clear audience favourite when the results were announced on Monday (May 10) with the runners up being John Walker's A Drummer's Dream, Germán Berger-Hertz's My Life With Carlos, and Jan Tenehaven’s Autumn Gold which took the Filmmakers Award selected by participating directors.

"Hot Docs was a rich experience for me as a filmmaker," wrote director Mark Landsman exclusively to the Perlich Post. "It was my first time, and I was amazed at the crowds – the sheer number of people who lined up, in all kinds of crazy weather, to see all kinds of docs. The audiences were packed, dynamic, engaged. The quality and range of films was fantastic. It was just inspiring and a really good time.
"Working on THUNDER SOUL has been a profound privilege for me--getting to know Conrad "Prof" Johnson, his family, his students; the treasure trove of KSB's music; helping to convey a truly soulful story. Everyone connected with the film feels honored and grateful to have won this award today. One thing that cracked me up, someone from Texas texted to say: 'Congrats on winning at Hot Box!' I think they were confused about which fest we played at.
"I owe you man, The Perlich Post was our lone champion up there! My thanks."

Thunder Soul's remarkable triumph at Hot Docs 2010 not only underscores the cultural cluelessness of Toronto's mainstream media which appears to be growing more irrelevant by the day, it's also a heartening testament to the power of a fabulous film to find an audience against all odds. Hopefully this means that Thunder Soul will eventually get wider distribution in first-run movie houses so many more people can enjoy this wonderfully moving documentary about one man and one band that made a difference. Who knows, maybe some sharp concert promoter will bring the reunited Kashmere Stage Band to Toronto for a show – they'd be perfect for Harbourfront!

Mark Landsman discusses Thunder Soul