Guy Maddin Spills Details on Two New Projects!

Back when I interviewed Guy Maddin at the Toronto Film Festival he was kind enough to give me his card and tell me to be in touch if I wanted details on any of his future films. I've taken him up on that offer a couple of times now and, shockingly, he actually seems to have meant it, always firing back quick responses even when he hasn't been free to spill details. So when I spotted the listing for Ghosting in the CineMart 2006 funding list I dropped him a line to see if this was the mystery project he wasn't free to talk about the previous time I'd contacted him. Nope. Ghosting is something entirely new and in the early stages of development. Here's what he's got to say about it:

"Let's see. I'm a few weeks overdue for a treatment on Ghosting. The first one I wrote was rejected by the producers as just far too perplexing. But I can describe it in a few sentences.

So while the ghosts of Gisele's life criss-crossed with those flitting across the murky picture tubes of America, and in the natural course of time made a ghost of her career, all of this creating a swirling maelstrom of ghosts for her and everyone to see and make sense of -- if only they looked in the enlightened way -- Miss MacKenzie's life story becomes emblematic for everyone whose growth was ever affected by, whose bones grew toward, or who had lain silent witness to the wonders and horrors of, that flickering light in the corner of the livingroom."

As for that other project? It's untitled as of yet ("The docu-fantasia-thing has no title as yet. I wish I could just think of one on the spot for you. I guess I'd better not -- the financiers might not like it.") but here are the details on it:

"The project I'm working on now is a feature-length docu-fantasia-mentary/travelogue film on Winnipeg. It goes to camera in February and is supposed to be ready for September. It's a wonderful opportunity to get down on film all the things that matter most to me about my beloved hometown before I get the fuck outta here for good next fall!"

Wha? Maddin's leaving the 'peg? Surprising news there considering how location specific his work often is. And before Kurt chimes in with his "Yes, but where's The Brand Upon The Brain?" let me say that I'm not allowed to say what's planned for the premiere in case it doesn't come together but I know what's in the works and it's going to be memorable in the extreme, entirely unique, and absolutely worth the wait.