Doors Open Toronto at The Regent Theatre

May 26 & 27, 2018
Event Theme – Film: The Great Romance

551 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S 2M5

This year's theme, will shine the spotlight on Toronto’s film and television industry. Visit historic cinemas, film and television studios, post-production houses, digital media studios, artist-run centres as well as buildings that have been featured in film and television.

With more than 1,400 on-location film, television and digital media productions taking place in the city each year, Toronto is North America’s third largest screen-based production centre and the heart of Canada’s film and television sector.

Take the Doors Open Toronto Photo Challenge

The Doors Open Toronto audience take some stellar pictures during the event! The blogTO Doors Open Photo Challenge allows people to submit their photos by tagging them with #blogtodot18 on Instagram for the chance to win. The public will be invited to vote for their favourites at BlogTO.com.

REGENT THEATRE Doors Open 2018 PROGRAMME

10am - 5pm

Saturday May 26 & Sunday May 27th, 2018

Continuous Screenings*, Installations and tours open to the public:
*screenings end at 4:00 pm on Saturday; 4:30 pm on Sunday

SCREENINGS

Screenings are curated for a general audience.
Accessible seating and washrooms available on the first floor.
The Claude Watson Film Arts Program at Earl Haig Secondary School Student Film Screenings, 30 mins.

One Hour Midday Matinee Cartoons @ noon on Saturday and Sunday  
Betty Boop and various.

Special Screening: SUNDAY MAY 27th @ 2:30pm

Son of Tutti Frutti
Dir. by Roger Cross, Martin Heath, Deanne Taylor, 1972, 
original 16 mm print, 100mins.

Public Screening projected by Martin Heath, Director, owner and operator of CineCycle.

Free popcorn at Concession Stand; beverages and treats for sale.

INSTALLATIONS DOWNSTAIRS:

Hoi Polloi
Mike Hansen; Interactive (sound and some flashing lights).

Visitor Book – Visitors are invited to share memories of the theatre and/or comment.

Historical Placards

INSTALLATIONS UPSTAIRS AND IN STAIRWELLS*

*Please note that access is by stairs only. Printed copies of exhibitions available for viewing in downstairs lobby.

Visual History of the Regent Theatre (projection; upstairs lobby)
Printed copy available/accessible on first floor.

Vintage 8 and 16mm projectors on display courtesy of CineCycle

Posters of films completed in the Regent Theatre’s post-production studios.

Stories from the Nabe - Guests are invited to share and record their memories of the
Regent Theatre (volunteer facilitated).

Do you have a story about the Regent that you'd like to share?

In the Fall of 2017, the Regent Theatre was listed for sale. While the future of the theatre remains uncertain, we can reflect on what the theatre has meant at a personal and collective level. Come by during Doors Open and share a story, learn about the many layered history and enjoy the special events and screening. This weekend, the Regent belongs to everyone.  

All events and popcorn are free. 

What is a Nabe?  

noun, Usually, nabes, Slang.
1. a neighborhood movie theater.

When the Regent Theatre  opened at Mount Pleasant Rd. and Belsize Dr.in 1927 it was the first movie house located in the growing Davisville neighbourhood. In its first incarnation as The Belsize, the theatre became part of a growing circuit of neighbourhood movie houses or "nabes" serving people of all ages, day and night.  Also known as The Crest, the theatre brought live stage to the city for nearly two decades, and again reopened as an arthouse cinema in 1969. In 1988, the theatre was once again renovated and reborn as The Regent.  Come and learn more about this Toronto fixture and participate in understanding and sharing in its heritage.

.

The Claude Watson Film Arts Program at Earl Haig Secondary School Student Film Screenings

COLD FEET (Written and Directed by Dylan Gitalis and Tristan Kovacs)

Thomas awakes in a dark void and must make a series of decisions. As the decisions get progressively more stressful, the true meaning of these decisions becomes clear.

MOPPER (Written by Alexander Barron and Directed by Dylan Gitalis)

Jeff lives an absolutely meaningless life as a housecleaner. But when a Roomba threatens to replace his job, he  has something to fight for.

PINS & NEEDLES (Witten by Elena Tranze-Drabinia and Directed by Zachary Freeman)

A young woman finds herself in a prickly situation and it’s going to take a lot to get out of it.

I FEEL (Written and Directed by Britney Ngaw)

In Jenny’s society, coin and paper note currency is replaced by emotional reasoning in the form of stories garnering sympathy from sellers

THE EXHIBIT (Written and Directed by Britney Ngaw)

A mysterious art piece incites a riot in a gallery. 

PC (Written by Jenna Purther and Zachary Freeman and Directed by Zachary Freeman)

In a world where what you say can have immediate consequences.

TIN and BONES Written and Directed by Cole London and Matteo Iourio)

A young man's trip to Europe becomes a spiritual journey into life and love.

One Hour Midday Matinee Cartoons @ noon on Saturday and Sunday

Featured Artists

The Claude Watson Film Arts Program at Earl Haig Secondary School Student Filmmakers and Writers

Mike Hansen
Interactive Installation: Hoi Polloi

“Hoi Polloi” offers The Red Carpet as your invitation to celebrity. “Hoi Polloi” is inspired by the concern to give ‘everyone a chance’ When you walk “Hoi Polloi’s” red carpet you are greeted by the undulating screams of your fans and the undying devotion of the paparazzi, as they swoon for your attention. Screams of love and hysteria follow your every step. The paparazzi try to get your attention as they to scoop one another in vain attempts to catch a glimpse of your image. Camera flashes blind you as you walk the red carpet. You become the focus of their attention, even for just a moment.

An encounter based installation that deflates the notion of celebrity by giving star power to the masses. 

Martin Heath presents a 

FREE Screening 

Son of Tutti Frutti
Sunday May 27, 2:30-4:30pm

Directed by Roger Cross, Martin Heath, Deanne Taylor
16 mm film

Music Film extracts showing the history of Rock and Roll and its origins using cartoon clips to introduce and comment on the performances.  The poster says it all.

In 1972 this film had a 13 week run every Friday at midnight in Toronto, cultivating and inspiring a diy film culture across different audiences and film scenes. 

The film will be projected from the upper balcony by one of the film's original directors and editors, and current owner of CineCycle, Martin Heath. Regent Theatre Manager, Carlos Herrera connects the state of the art sound system he permanently installed in the Regent Theatre to this classic tour-de-force.