crocodile eyes
Synopsis
(73 min. 2024)
“crocodile eyes” is a portrait of a four-generation family as they navigate death and birth, and the life in between. Captured in a series of un-hinged vignettes, the film unfolds a dual purpose: as a meditation on the cycles of life, and as a deconstruction of the filmmaking process inspired by the rules of DOGME95.
Content Note: This film contains real death and birth.
Inspired by — The humanity of Agnes Varda
The humour and passion of John Cassavetes
The movement of Bob Fosse and Miranda July
The provocation of DOGME95
Gallery
if you were me
(13 min. 2022)
Intimate and uncertain, a young couple ask each other questions with the hopes of becoming closer.
“This film is rather wonderful. A feature-length of story in thirteen minutes! Deceptively straightforward but remarkably layered.” Jonathan Marlow
“A marvellous, very dense tale of two. Quite touching and quite ‘Ingrid-esque’ in the most positive way.” Florian Weghorn
“A wonderful new short film (from Ingrid Veninger) that I found profoundly relevant to our current state of things in the US.” Holly Herrick
ONE(NINE)
(83 min. 2021)
During the COVID-19 pandemic
Nine filmmakers
Isolating in different parts of the world
Join to make a film
ONE(NINE) is a timeless multiversal experience
of what it means to find connection in a time of isolation.
WISH
(11 min. 2021)
In this intimate and achingly beautiful portrait of a mother and daughter, we share the milestone of Laska’s 1st birthday with crocheted crowns and blueberry muffins. A story about family, motherhood, courage and the resilience people find during the most challenging times.
WATCH ON CBC GEM.
“Veninger’s own daughter and granddaughter star in the film. There is much to appreciate in WISH. It is about family, motherhood, relationships, and the resilience people find during the most testing and difficult circumstances.” Heidy M @hyemusings
“Beautiful, provocative.” Julia Grant
“Touching, and profound, a film for our times to be sure” Robyn Stevan Matamoros
“I love this film. It’s such a beautiful portrait of new motherhood during this crazy time.” Laura Good
Watch it Here:
JAY FEELBENDER – BIG GAME
From director, Ingrid Veninger, “I love working with Jacob (aka Jay Feelbender) because he’s always receptive, playful, creative. He has been an amazing collaborator from our very first ventures — starting when he was 8-years-old. We’ve made short films (The Bunny Project, Everything is Love and Fear, Mama) and features (Only, i am a good person/i am a bad person, The Animal Project).
BIG GAME is the third Jay Feelbender single release in 5 months. The psychedelic energy of this track quickly got under my skin. Immediately I visualized layers, 360 rotations, split screens, shooting through prisms, pinks, blues, greens. Wide angle lenses and rapid zooms. Jay in a pink suit was a key image and dancing was a must. I reached out for b-boys on Facebook and was linked to Lee Pham. Lee led me to Mark and Arie, who are featured in the video. A drive through the Wasaga Beach near Collingwood lead to the discovery of some excellent and nostalgic locations: motels, painted walls and sand dunes. The track has a party vibe but, as with many of Jay’s songs, there’s a vulnerable underbelly. I wanted the visual energy to be a blurring of kinetic joy, mixed with a desperate need for escape, and intense longing. I reunited with DP Michael Maddeaux and editor Chris Mutton who were both part of the key team for Porcupine Lake, my 6th feature film. We shot this video in 6 hours with a crew of 3. Next, I plan to co-develop a series with Jacob. We have a good time together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQRNSL3dDJw
THE WORLD OR NOTHING (EL MUNDO O NADA)
WORLD PREMIERE HOT DOCS
(84 min. 2019)
“The World or Nothing is a tender look at the millennial search for online fame, the immigrant dream of “making it” and the inspiring bonds of brotherly love.” Written for Hot Docs by Aisha Jamal
“Ingrid Veninger’s feature films have always had a naturalistic, vérité feel to them, playing with the boundaries between narrative fiction and real-life events… The World or Nothing reverses that polarity: it’s a true story about people who are constantly performing.” Norm Wilner, NOW Magazine
“A film about youth, and hope, and optimism, and that desire to take on the world when anything feels possible.” Pat Mullen, POV Magazine
“Veninger is the perfect choice to document the siblings’ as-yet-unattained entertainment industry glory. The World or Nothing is a film made by a filmmaker who knows precisely what her subjects are going through. While Rubert and Rubido are captivating and charismatic on their own, Veninger never unnecessarily skews their journey for added drama or catharsis. It’s a film about hard working artists doing their best in a global economy that’s downright toxic for creative types.” Andrew Parker, The Gate
Watch it Here:
PORCUPINE LAKE
WORLD PREMIERE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
(84 min. 2017)
A story of bravery and the secret world of girls during a fateful summer when adulthood has not yet arrived, but childhood is quickly vanishing.
“Veninger has bottled that very precise moment when a young girl is trying to figure out the woman she’s going to become.” Chris Knight, National Post
“Sensitively explores feminine coming-of-age.” Kate Erbland, IndieWIRE
“A film of heart and prickly specificity.” Angelo Muredda, Cinema Scope
“A story every woman carries inside her.” Melissa Leo, Academy Award Winner
“Assured, subtle storytelling by director/screenwriter Ingrid Veninger.” Marsha Lederman, The Globe & Mail
Watch it Here:
THE OTHER SIDE OF PORCUPINE LAKE
WORLD PREMIERE WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL
(85 min. 2017)
In the spirit of encouraging a new generation of filmmakers, The Other Side of Porcupine Lake not only gives insight into how Ingrid Veninger, “Canada’s DIY queen of filmmaking”, makes her films, but also provides us with a front row seat on the fascinating, challenging, and collaborative journey of independent filmmaking.
“A moving portrait of a personal and collective process.” Jill Friedberg, Whistler Film Festival, World Documentary Jury
“Required viewing for filmmakers and film fans.” Jason Whyte, eFilmCritic
“This film is not only a companion piece [to Porcupine Lake], it’s cinema. It can stand alone.” Alan Zweig, Filmmaker
Watch it Here:
