Staff Picks: Favourite films selected by Hot Docs staff!

“One of cinema's most important political takedowns disguised as a brilliant black comedy.” - Kristin Boivin, Hot Docs Festival Senior Programming Manager

Through his signature physical comedy and a classic mistaken-identity twist, Charlie Chaplin defied Nazi-era Germany by creating a bold satire criticizing Hitler, Mussolini, and the rise of fascism. The story follows the mishaps of a Jewish barber with a striking resemblance to the dictator, Adenoid Hynkel, of fictional Tomainia as the country is on the brink of war.

With stellar performances by Paulette Goddard and Jack Oakie, as well as Charlie Chaplin—who updated his much-loved Tramp to portray both the innocent barber and the ruthless dictator—The Great Dictator delivered both comedy and serious reflection in a time when the future of humankind was at stake. The film went on to be a classic, featuring iconic scenes such as a dance with the Globe in the form of a balloon and the rousing final speech proving what Chaplin could do now that he has entered the world of Talkies.

Originally controversial due to some of the world’s unreadiness to recognize the implications of Hitler’s rule and Hollywood’s aversion to announcing political opinion, The Great Dictator is now one of cinema’s most important examples of the inclusion of politics in art. It feels especially timely and poignant today, parallels abound.

This is Kristin’s Staff Pick: Kristin Boivin is the senior programming manager of Hot Docs Film Festival. If she could receive an honorary PhD, it would be in musical theatre, listening to the radio, and the importance of a large collection of robes. Her ideal night involves the intersection of all three.

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