Off Key (1994 film)

Off Key
Directed byKarethe Linaae
Produced byWade Ferley
StarringDavid Lovgren
Gabrielle Rose
CinematographyWade Ferley
Music bySchaun Tozer
Release date
  • September 1994 (1994-09) (Cannes)
Running time
22 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

Off Key is a Canadian drama short film, directed by Karethe Linaae and released in 1994.[1] Made as her thesis project for the film studies program at the University of British Columbia,[2] the film centres on a sexually charged battle of wills between Vladimir (David Lovgren), a Russian concert pianist, and Agnes (Gabrielle Rose), a photographer who wants Vladimir to pose in the nude.[3]

According to Linaae, the film's principal theme is about the double-standard in North American filmmaking, under which it's more acceptable to depict extreme gore and violence than it is to show a naked body.[3]

The film premiered in the International Critics' Week program at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival,[4] and had its Canadian premiere at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival.[1]

The film was a Genie Award nominee for Best Theatrical Short Film at the 16th Genie Awards.[5]

  1. ^ a b Craig MacInnis, "The beauty of Canadian short-subject films". Toronto Star, September 8, 1994.
  2. ^ Craig MacInnis, "Student thesis travels to movie heights". Calgary Herald, May 16, 1994.
  3. ^ a b Katherine Monk, "Cannes invites off Key Vancouverites for swanky showcase". Vancouver Sun, April 20, 1994.
  4. ^ Craig MacInnis, "Striking an erotic chord: Karethe Linaae's first film chosen for screening at Cannes". Toronto Star, May 13, 1994.
  5. ^ "Lepage leads Genie nominees". The Globe and Mail, November 8, 1995.