WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE Director Profile: Simon and Zeke Hawkins

That we don't have prior feature films to discuss when talking about Simon and Zeke Hawkins should not be reason to worry. In fact, we can't really think of a better form of praise than having one's first feature film premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. And in the best--in our humble opinion--Programme as well. (Ahem, Vanguard, ahem.) 

The directors (and brothers, if the same last name didn't tip you off) will be premiering We Gotta Get Out of This Place at this year's Festival. The film is being described as a "tight, twisty, Texas-set nouveau noir" with a nod to pulp crime legend Jim Thompson. And if that wasn't bad-ass enough, Jonathan Keevil (of Bellflower fame) worked on the score. Colour us impressed. 

If we travel back in time a few years (Figuratively, because we only wish we had a time machine, but who really needs one when you have the internet, right?), we see that Zeke directed a short film, Equestrian Sexual Response, that premiered at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival. Don't let the title make you nervous; Moviegeeks.com called it "a sweet and tender film that handles the subject matter of sexual discovery with tact and respectful insight" and went on to praise the cinematography ("sublime"), original music, and the lead actresses' performance ("compellingly realistic, poignant and heartbreaking"). It's no surprise that the short went on to win the 20110 SXSW Special Jury Prize, as well as being featured in a handful of other film festivals. You can watch the trailer for Equestrian Sexual Response below:

The brothers have also gained praise for their The Godfather Musical series, with the "Ode to Fredo" chapter screening at a handful of festivals and picking up a couple of awards as well. This author is rather ashamed to admit that she has never seen the Godfather films, but she's quite certain that the "Ode to Fredo" is brilliant. She just doesn't, uh, know who Fredo is. See for yourself: 

And if you're all, "The Godfather isn't really my cup of tea", that's cool. There is The Braveheart Musical instead. You can check that out on Simon and Zeke's website, along with proof of Simon's prestigious Excellence in Dance award.

So, maybe we're a little (just a little) sad that Zeke and Simon Hawkins have appeared to have left the world of hilarious musicals and dance behind (or have they?!). That being said, we are beyond eager with anticipation to see their first feature film, and first foray into the nouveau noir, thriller genre. 

WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE Screening Times:

• Saturday, Sept 7th, 6:45 PM THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
• Sunday, Sept 8th, 4:00 PM SCOTIABANK 4
• Sunday, Sept 15th, 9:00 PM SCOTIABANK 10