Details
Plot Summary
Teenager Adam is spending his summer vacation with his parents on rugged Lake Superior. His dull routine is shattered when he befriends Riley and Nate, smart aleck cousins who pass their ample free time with debauchery and reckless cliff jumping. The revelation of a hurtful secret triggers Adam to set in motion a series of irreversible events that test the bonds of friendship and change the boys forever.
Quotes
“A near-tangible slick of midsummer sweat sits heavily atop each scene in Andrew Cividino’s diverting debut feature, “Sleeping Giant,” lending welcome sensual specificity to coming-of-age material that otherwise paddles in familiar waters.”
“Craftsmanship across the board is punchily accomplished, with the hot primary colors and sharp, symmetrical framing of James Klopko’s lensing giving “Sleeping Giant” a little more snap than other films of its ilk; the same goes for Chris Thornborrow and Bruce Peninsula’s heightened, often brashly percussive score.”
-Guy Lodge, Variety
Reviews
Variety – Cannes Film Review: ‘Sleeping Giant’
Festivals and Awards
Critics’ Week, France, May 2015
Porto Vecchio – Cinémathèque of Corse, France, May 2015
La Cinémathèque Française, France, June 2015
Filmfest Munich, Germany, June 2015
*Winner – Cinevision Award
Beirut at Metropolis Cinema, Lebanon, June 2015
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Czech Republic, July 2015
Lima at Encuentro Latino-americano de Cine, Peru, August 2015
Toronto International Film Festival, Canada, September 2015
*Winner – City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film
Athens International Film Festival, Greece, September 2015
Bergen International Film Festival, Norway, September 2015
Zurich Film Festival, Switzerland, September 2015
Reykjavik International Film Festival, Iceland, September 2015
*Fipresci Award Special Mention
Festival do Rio, Brazil, October 2015
Busan International Film Festival, South Korea, October 2015
Warsaw Film Festival, Poland, October 2015
Le 6e Festival International du Film de La Roche-sur-Yon, France, October 2015
Festival du film de Saint Paul Trois chateaux, France, October 2015
Film Fest Gent, Belgium, October 2015
*Winner – Explore Award
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada, October 2015
*Winner – Best Canadian Film
Alice in the City, Italy, October 2015
International Film Festival Tofifest, Poland, October 2015
Morelia Film Festival, Mexico, October 2015
International Film Festival Molodist, Ukraine, October 2015
Mumbai Film Festival, India, October 2015
Ciné festival en pays de Fayence, France, November 2015
Los Cabos Film Festival, Mexico, November 2015
Just Film Festival, Estonia, November 2015
Kolkata Film Festival, India, November 2015
Gijón International Film Festival, Spain, November 2015
Festival du Grain à démoudre à Gonfreville, France, November 2015
*Winner – Prix du Grand Jury, Best Feature
*Winner – Prix des jeunes cinéphiles, Best Feature
Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA, January 2016
Portland International Film Festival, USA, February 2016