Staff Picks: Favourite films selected by Hot Docs staff!

"Singin' in the Rain is a film that is impossible to hate." - John Debono, 2025 Docs For Schools Coordinator

Capturing a time of turmoil as Hollywood makes the transition from silent to talking pictures, actor Don Lockwood is forced to reinvent himself for a new era. With the help of his best friend as well as a plucky young actress, Don rediscovers his love of music and movie magic. However, no plot synopsis can do justice to the effortless showmanship or the iconic showtunes of Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain. The crown jewel of the MGM musicals, it is the film that will make even the most serious filmgoer crack a smile. Whether it is the hilarious "Make Em’ Laugh," the sweeping romance of "You Were Meant For Me," or Gene Kelly being at his absolute best with the title song, Singin' in the Rain is cinema at its most effortlessly joyous.

This is John's Staff Pick: Born and raised in Toronto, John Debono is a film programmer/Docs For Schools coordinator with a passion for documentaries, community building, and musicals. Having previously worked in youth and mental health support, John is excited to find films that will not only entertain but inspire and empower audiences.

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