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PARADE: QUEER ACTS OF LOVE & RESISTANCE

PARADE: QUEER ACTS OF LOVE & RESISTANCE

NOAM GONICK | CANADA | 2025 | 96 MIN | ENGLISH FST

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NOAM GONICK | CANADA | 2025 | 96 MIN | ENGLISH FST

DocumentaryMADE AU CANADA

Presented by

NFB

Synopsis

Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance captures pivotal moments that sparked Canada’s LGBTQ+ movement, honouring the activists and elders whose resistance led to the rights we have today. Through rarely seen archival footage and first-person accounts (including interviews with filmmakers John Greyson, Richard Fung and politician Sven Robinson, to name a few), audiences are brought to the frontlines of the struggle. From police raids to early drag shows, community organizing to the House of Commons—the complex history of the country’s diverse communities is brought to life. Key milestones illustrate the power of taking it into the streets and underscore how easily the rights we’ve fought for can be revoked, making the documentary essential viewing for all Canadians. Unflinching, bold, enraging, hopeful; Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance is a vital new chapter in the queer canon.

Trailer

Filmmaker Bio

Noam Gonick (born March 20, 1973, in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian filmmaker, artist, and writer. A graduate of Ryerson University, his work spans experimental film, documentary, mixed media, and installations. Gonick first drew attention with his short film 1919 (1997), a reimagining of the Winnipeg General Strike through a queer lens. His debut feature Hey, Happy! (I+N14, 2001) won the award for Best Canadian Film at Inside Out. Other notable works include Stryker (2004) and the documentary To Russia with Love. His installations have been shown internationally, and his art is in collections such as MoMA and the National Gallery of Canada.

Producer

Justine Pimlott

Writer

Noam Gonick

Cinematographer

Mrinal Desai

Cast

  • Hugh Brewster; Rico Rodriguez; Alexander Chapman; Susan G. Cole; Cheri DiNovo; Rodney Diverlus; Debbie Douglas; Andy Fabo; Lynne Fernie; Fontaine; Richard Fung; Lorne Goldblum; Amy Gottlieb; John Greyson; Charlie Hill; Tom Hooper; Ed Jackson; Nicolas Jenkins; leZlie lee Kam; Paul Keenan; Myra Laramee; Alan Li; Samuel Lopez; Jeanine Maes; Tim McCaskell; Courtnay McFarlane; Albert McLeod; Connie Merasty; Jearld Moldenhauer; Yvette Perreault; Jeffrey Richstone; Laval Rioux; Svend Robinson; Ron Rosenes; Lorraine Segato; Mirha-Soleil Ross; Tony Souza; Robin Tyler; Rinaldo Walcott; Syrus Marcus Ware
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PARTNERS

NFB

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