Face 2 Face With David Peck

Kalina Bertin and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Manic, survivor guilt, family secrets, mental health issues, intimate connections and prejudice. IMDB Trailer And learn more about Kalina here.  Synopsis Manic chronicles filmmaker Kalina Bertin’s struggle to make sense of the legacy of mental illness wreaking havoc over her sibling’s lives. Convinced that her father holds a key piece of the puzzle, she sets out to find the truth about him, and discovers a man known alternately as a cult leader, a scam artist, a prophet, and a father of fifteen. Manic invites the viewer on a compelling and intimate journey through time and through the mind, where past and present collide. Biography After completing her degree in film production in Montreal at UQÀM, filmmaker Kalina Bertin quickly realized that if she didn’t set out to understand the mental illness in her family it would destroy her. This process gave birth to her compelling documentary film Manic, which explores the legacy of bipolar disorder

Daniel Zuckerbrot and Face2Face host David Peck talk about Michelangelo, The Nature of Things, capital “T” truth, documentary storytelling and science. For more info on Reel Time Images head here. Biography Daniel’s first experience in the Canadian film industry was in 1974 when, while studying history of science, religion and philosophy at the University of Waterloo, he got a summer job as a researcher for a documentary. Though only 20 at the time this was far from his earliest foray into the Canadian art scene. At the age of 15 he began working as an assistant in the technical crew at Theatre Passe Muraille. This was in 1969 and Passe Muraille was the centre of avante garde theatre. In recent years Daniel’s specifically theatre related work has been limited to directing actors in some of his productions as well as having made a number of documentaries about performers. A working magician himself for some years, he taught magic privately and for the Toronto Board of Education. He is also one of the founding

Neasa Ní Chianáin and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film School Life, mentorship, a more relational pedagogy, nursery rhymes and belonging. IMDB Trailer Find out more about the film here. Synopsis This observational documentary follows a year in the lives of two inspirational teachers at Headfort, the only primary-age boarding school in Ireland. Housed in an 18th century estate, school life embraces tradition and modernity. For John, rock music is just another subject alongside Maths, Scripture and Latin, taught in a collaborative and often hilarious fashion. For his wife Amanda, the key to connecting with children is the book, and she uses all means to snare the young minds. For nearly half a century these two have shaped thousands of minds, but now the unthinkable looms: what would retirement mean? What will keep them young if they leave? Biography Neasa Ní Chianáin started directing in 2001 with television documentaries. She has directed three feature documentaries, including the award-winni

Kyoko and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Tokyo Idols, Tokyo “idol culture”, loneliness, relationships, clever business models and how to find love in hyper modern societies. IMDB Trailer Find out more about the film here. And learn more about Kyoko here. Synopsis “IDOLS” has fast become a phenomenon in Japan as girl bands and pop music permeate Japanese life. TOKYO IDOLS - an eye-opening film gets at the heart of a cultural phenomenon driven by an obsession with young female sexuality and Internet popularity. This ever-growing phenomenon is told through Rio, a bona fide "Tokyo Idol" who takes us on her journey toward fame. Now meet her “brothers”: a group of adult middle aged male super fans (ages 35 - 50) who devote their lives to following her—in the virtual world and in real life. Once considered to be on the fringes of society, the "brothers" who gave up salaried jobs to pursue an interest in female idol culture have since blown up and have now become mainstream via the internet, illumi

Ron Baugh and Face2Face host David Peck talk about mentorship, being present, community and about how great leaders learn how to serve others. Biography Ron has led such well-known brands as Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada, Harvey’s Division of Cara Operations, Williams Coffee Pubs Ltd., and most recently served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Tire Dealers’ Association. As COO of Cara’s $260M Harvey’s Division, Ron oversaw 330 locations and initiated a comprehensive overhaul of operating standards. As COO of Williams Coffee Pubs, Ron had full P&L and operational responsibility and increased store sales by 14% over a two-year period. During Ron’s tenure as Senior VP of Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada, he was responsible for 370 locations generating $700M in sales and led the operations to their most profitable year ever in 2010.  And as Executive Director of Canadian Tire Dealers’ Association, Ron provided support, advice and guidance to 490 Canadian Tire dealers and established the organization’s fi

Ryan Suffern and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Finding Oscar, truth, empathy and evidence, Guatemala, “real justice” and why he’s now an optimistic realist. Trailer IMDB More about the film here on the website. To learn more about finding those who are the “disappeared” search here. Synopsis: Executive produced by Stephen Spielberg, Finding Oscar is a feature length documentary about the search for justice in the devastating case of the Dos Erres massacre in Guatemala. That search leads to the trail of two little boys who were plucked from a nightmare and offer the only living evidence that ties the Guatemalan government to the massacre. Biography As head of documentaries for The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Ryan Suffern has an active role on a full slate of films.  His past projects delve into a variety of diverse issues such as climate change, the LGBT community and child refugees. He and Frank Marshall have collaborated on three commissioned documentaries for ESPN Films. Prior to his start

Pete Enns and Face2Face host David Peck talk about the power of experience, the sin of certainty, faith, trust, wisdom and why we need to restore our sense of humanity. Biography Peter Enns was born in Passaic, New Jersey, to German American immigrant parents. He grew up in River Vale, New Jersey and graduated from Pascack Valley High School in 1978. He is married to Susan and has three children, Erich, Elizabeth, and Sophia. He holds a B.A. in behavioural science from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University. Enns returned to Westminster Theological Seminary in 1994 to begin his teaching career. He was tenured in 2000 and promoted to full professor in 2005 as Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Hermeneutics. Among other duties, he served as Associate Academic Dean from 1998 to 2001, chair of the Hermeneutics (Ph.D.) Field Committee (1997-2000), and edited the Westminster Theologi

Issac Julien and Dr. Diamond and Face2Face host David Peck talk about nurturing different artistic experiences, invisibility of issues and race and complex new media projects and porous institutions.   Issac’s latest RoM installation.   Global Experience Project   OCAD University (OCAD U) is launching a trailblazing international initiative, bent on elevating Canada’s prominence in the global communities of art and culture. The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation Global Experience Project (GEP) will bring four leading international artists to Toronto for a significant residency at OCAD U over the next five years. The GEP will connect selected students with the visiting artists and notable scholars, on campus and abroad.   “We are thrilled beyond words to realize the launch of the Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation Global Experience Project,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University. “The opportunity to interact closely with ground-breaking international artists will shape the learning e

  Ulrik, Adil and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new film Recruiting for Jihad, love and community, religion and inclusion, radicalization and why notions of “us versus them” is going lead nowhere. Synopsis: Filmmakers Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen and Adil Khan Farooq followed the well-known Islamist missionary Ubaydullah Hussain for three years. A charismatic and intelligent man, he is also a recruiter with ties to ISIS who acts as the spokesperson for The Prophet’s Ummah, a Salafi-jihadist organization in Norway. Hussain is more than happy to share his views and practices with the camera, offering unparalleled insight into the life of an extremist. At first presenting himself as rational, open-minded and tolerant, Hussain’s ideological contradictions and prejudices are slowly revealed in this compelling and eye-opening exposé. The stakes get even higher as people we see Hussain recruiting become linked to terrorist acts. Eventually the documentary footage is seized by police as evidence, leading to a co

Lawrence Scanlan and Face2Face host David Peck talk about sharing the wealth, listening compassionately, generosity and social justice of various kinds. You can learn more about Lawrence here.   Biography Lawrence Scanlan was born in Toronto and spent the first six years of his life in the northern Ontario railway town of Nakina. He has lived and worked in Toronto, Nelson, B.C. and, for the past thirty-five years, the Kingston area in southeastern Ontario. Scanlan has worked in newspapers (literary editor of The Whig-Standard, editor of The Nelson Daily News), magazines (managing editor of Harrowsmith) and radio (producer with CBC Radio’s Morningside as well as Writers & Company). He has won three National Magazine Awards and, as a freelancer, written scores of articles on many subjects, including science, sports, literature, travel and medicine. In 1989, Scanlan’s first book was published — a biography co-authored with Ian Millar called Riding High. It was a Globe and Mail bestseller and would pave the w

Prof. Alexander Hinton of Rutgers University and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new book Man or Monster: The Trial of a Khmer Rouge Torturer, genocide, evil and the “sin of not seeing.” You can get his new book and others here below. Man or Monster Why Did They Kill Colonial Genocide Hidden Genocide Biography Alexander Hinton is Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights and Professor of Anthropology and Global Affairs at Rutgers University, Newark. He is also a past President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2011-13) and holds the UNESCO Chair in Genocide Prevention. He serves as an Academic Advisor to the Documentation Center of Cambodia, on the International Advisory Boards of journals such as the Genocide Studies and Prevention, Journal of Genocide Research, and Journal of Perpretrator Research, and as co-editor of the CGHR-Rutgers University Press book series, "Genocide, Political Violence, Human Rights".  In 2009, Alex Hinton received the Robert

Martin Himel and Face2Face host David Peck talk about Martin's film "Secrets of Survival", family, isolation, identity, and loneliness - and the family secrets we all have. Trailer CBC Docs Synopsis: Malka Rosenbaum remembers that moment as if it happened yesterday.   A Toronto University student, she had been complaining about the difficulties of being an only child. Her Mother then told her there was once another child who had died in WW2. Malka had a sister and her name was Esther.  Forty-five years later, Malka’s 93 year old Aunt Franiya told her that Esther may have survived. Malka is compelled to find out what happened. Juergen Ulloth can never forget the moment his life changed forever.  Excited about getting married, he went to the Kassel Municipality in Germany to retrieve his birth certificate for a marriage license. The clerk told Juergen that his family name was not originally Ulloth, it was Raenold, his Mother’s maiden name.  Juergen’s father, a German WW2 veteran, was not his biological parent. 

Ian and Face2Face host David Peck talk about “intelligent collaboration,” the state of journalism round the globe, “hopeful narratives,” and how we need to mobilize hopeful knowledge. You can purchase the book here: No New is Bad News and learn ore bout Ian and Discourse media here. Synopsis Postmedia cuts have continued, with dozens of journalists being laid off - 3,000 in total in the company and 10,000 in the industry as a whole. While Canada’s media industry has been in dire straits for a while, the Trump victory south of the border has put a spotlight on why media is so important for democracy. The public’s interest in the media industry - and effects such losses can have on democracy – at a town hall, provincial and international level - has never been more keen. The Public Policy Forum released their exhaustive study of the decline of traditional media, Shattered Glass, offering comment on current business models, under-development of digital technology and the rise of fake news. Biography Ian Gill is

Jessica and Face2Face host David Peck talk about “slow media”, art versus advertising, mindfulness and how to connect with the “bigger picture.” Get Jessica’s book here: Humanize Your Brand: How To Create Content That Connects With Your Customers Biography 15+ years experience in media, bringing a proven knowledge of creative strategy, communication, and management with an emphasis on high-quality content across all platforms ranging from start-ups to global brands. Extensive experience managing large teams of diverse personalities in deadline driven environments, leading cross-functional team collaboration, and developing industry outreach opportunities. Jessica Ann is the Founder and Creative Director of Jessica Ann Media {JAM}, a content marketing agency that develops compelling content for top-tier brands. With a Master’s Degree in Communications from Johns Hopkins University, Jessica inspires advocates for Fortune 500 companies through shared emotions and experiences, driving hundreds of thousands of do

Ngozi and Face2Face host David Peck talk about Ms. Lovely, Sarah Baartman, freedom, shame and the colonial gaze, “othering” and why we no longer have excuses. Buy Your Tickets here. Synopsis: The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely, which is being staged as part of the inaugural season at The Crow's Theatre March 28 - April 8, 2017. The one-woman play stars Ngozi Paul (Da Kink in My Hair) and is directed by Canadian Screen Award winner Zack Russell (She Stoops to Conquer).  Especially relevant in today's social and political climate, The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely is a hilarious, timely and evocative tale of a young woman’s search for love and agency. At different stages in her life Lovely struggles with her understanding of herself as a Black woman and awakens to her sexual identity as mirrored through popular culture. Personal stories from Lovely's life interweave with the story of Sarah Baartman (The Venus Hottentot), the historical symbol of the commodification of Black women’s sexuality. From the 21st century tw

Geoff and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his film The Missing Tourist, closure, mental health issues, forest bathing and the bigger mystery that we find ourselves in. Trailer Watch the film here. Synopsis: The Missing Tourist tells the story of Atsumi’s mysterious disappearance and the urgent missing person investigation that followed, and unfurled with the RCMP announcing that the 45-year-old doctor ‘arrived in Yellowknife with a plan to go into the wilderness alone and become a missing person.’ Tracing Atsumi’s journey from a small prefecture in Southern Japan to the wilderness of the Northwest Territories, the film explores the ways in which we experience missing person stories, while bringing closure to one of the most puzzling mysteries to hit the Canadian North. “The film is about the journey to find closure, something that’s very difficult when there’s an absence of information,” said director Geoff Morrison. “This story made headlines at the time because it was a mystery and because it unfolded

Nick and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Having Our Baby, misconceptions about surrogacy, reproductive tourism, laws and technology, test tube babies, and celebrating life. More about the film here. Trailer IMDB Synopsis Having Our Baby: The Surrogacy Boom, follows Edmonton couple Sarah and Jason Geisler and surrogate Heather Chaput, and Montreal couple Phillipe Robert and Phillipe Malo and Woodstock, Ontario surrogate Eilise Marten, as they navigate the many challenges of surrogate parenting. The film traces the steps these couples go through to connect with a surrogate mother, from first meeting (“it was a little like online dating”, one confides) through pregnancy and birth. The film also travels to the UK to hear Britain’s first commercial surrogate mother relate the high-profile public controversy she endured, and to India, where the practice of Indian women acting as surrogates for First World couples has become a contentious political issue involving charges of colonialism, mistreatme

Marie and Face2Face host David Peck talk about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada, victimhood, calls to action, blindness to others, hope and empathy. Read more about the commission here. Biography Marie Wilson served as one of three Commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada following decades of experience as an award-winning journalist, trainer, and senior executive manager, including many years as the Regional Director for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the CBC North region responsible for three northern territories and northern Quebec. Fluently bilingual in French and English, she has been a university professor, a high school teacher in Africa, a senior executive manager in both federal and territorial Crown Corporations, and an independent consultant in journalism, program evaluation, and project management.  Dr. Wilson was appointed the 2016 Professor of Practice in Global Governance at the Institute for Study of International Development, McGill Univer

Nouman and Face2Face host David Peck talk about self-dialogue and discovery, exclusion and empathy, racism, disrupting the status quo and something called “diversity by default.”  Biography Nouman Ashraf is Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream within the Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management area at the Rotman School of Management. He possesses a broad range of professional, academic and research interests, with a specialized focus on enabling innovative and inclusive practices within organization life.   For the last decade and a half, he has held progressively senior roles at the University of Toronto. He is a recognized thought leader in governance, and has taught thousands of directors in the national Rotman program on Not for Profit Governance in partnership with the Institute for Corporate Directors since its inception in 2007. An award winning faculty member, Nouman teaches Emancipatory Leadership within the Executive MBA as well as the OMNIUM Global Executive MBA Program, Leading Soc

Kevan and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his Canadian Screen Nominated film Hello Destroyer, truth, identity, ”ambiguity with intention,” “curious empathy” and why context is so important. More about the film here. Trailer IMDB Synopsis A young junior hockey player's life is shattered by an in-game act of violence. In an instant his life is abruptly turned upside down; torn from the fraternity of the team and the coinciding position of prominence, he is cast as a pariah and ostracized from the community. As he struggles with the repercussions of the event, desperate to find a means of reconciliation and a sense of identity, his personal journey ends up illuminating troubling systemic issues around violence. Biography Kevan Funk is an award winning filmmaker, whose work has screened and won awards at various prestigious festivals around the world. His debut short, A Fine Young Man, premiered at TIFF and won the Grand Jury Prix at the Melbourne International Film Festival. Kevan's short films Yellowhead a