Hye’s Musings

Youngblood is a modern reimagining of the 1986 hockey film, a thoughtful and hard-hitting take on masculinity, race, and resilience within the sport. I speak with East Coast actor Alexandra McDonald, who portrays Jessie, a promising athlete whose relationship with the film’s central character, Dean Younblood (Ashton James) adds to the story’s themes of ambition and identity. Now available on VOD.

Shot over six years by an all-woman crew on 16mm film, AGATHA'S ALMANAC quietly observes nonagenarian Agatha Bock tending her ancestral Manitoba farm without a car, cell phone, or even running water.  The film premiered at Hot Docs 2025, where I was fortunate to meet Amalie Atkins and Agatha herself. Sharing our conversation with you here. AGATHA'S ALMANAC is expanding its run across Canada in sel...

Gabriel Mascaro's THE BLUE TRAIL is set in a not-so-distant dystopian future where the Brazilian government sends seniors to isolated colonies under the guise of boosting the economy, and 77-year-old Tereza (Denise Weinberg) decides her story is far from over.  I spoke with Gabriel Mascaro during TIFF 2025 where the film screened in Centrepiece section.   

Inspired by Thomas’ celebrated short film Redlights, Nika & Madison follows two Indigenous women whose lives are thrown into chaos after a violent encounter with police. I met up with Thomas during the Toronto International Film Festival 2025 edition to discuss more about the film, in lead up to its World Premiere at the festival.  The film extends its theatrical to a much wider release across...

After 20 years, d’bi.young anitafrika’s three-week repertory production of the critically acclaimed SANKOFA TRILOGY featuring the plays blood.claat, benu, and word! sound! powah! returns to Toronto. In this episode, I speak with d’bi.young anitafrika about the significance of this trilogy, the evolution of her work, and much more. Performances run from Sep 23-Oct 12, 2025 at The Theatre Centre in...

Damien Eagle Bear’s feature documentary, #SKODEN, had its world premiere at Hot Docs 2025. In the early days of social media, a notorious image circulated of an Indigenous man with raised fists, ready to strike. The photo went viral when one word added to the image would change it forever: SKODEN. I met up with Damien during Hot Docs to talk about the personal story behind this meme and more. Sorr...

With intimate access and a vérité approach, MARRIAGE COPS examines the intricate role of the state in the most personal aspects of its citizens’ lives. Directors Shashwati Talukdar & Cheryl Hess found a very layered and nuanced story. Prior to the film's premiere at Hot Docs 2025, I spoke with the filmmakers to gain more insight into this very interesting film.

At 36, Ana faces a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer. She finds refuge in her camera and family archive. Through these images, she reflects on her journey, and in her scar, she discovers that healing reaches beyond the physical body. MAMA is Ana Cristina Benítez's first feature documentary. At the film's premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto, I had the opportunity to speak with her and the film's pr...

*Throwback Episode* Identifying Features (Sin Señas Particulares) by Fernanda Veladez & Astrid Rondero The film is about the many immigrants who often go missing or die on their journeys. In this episode, I speak with the filmmakers about the need to tell these stories.  Pardon the minor sound glitches as this was recorded via Zoom.

August Kyss is an emerging producer, director and actress who is quickly become a prolific and invaluable staple in the independent genre films and beyond. In this episode, August and I talk more about her career in film and TV thus far, and her upcoming plans to expand on her achievements in the industry.

Welcome to Hye’s Musings! This podcast is an extension of my website, Hye’s Musings , where I discuss arts and culture through reviews, interviews, and thought pieces.  I am Heidy M, a Guatemala-born, Toronto-based arts supporter and enthusiast, film critic, and film programmer.  Feel free to connect with me online at hyemusings.ca and on the socials @hyemusings.