 | Sunday, April 03, 2022 | |  | Sunday, April 03, 2022 | | Hi, art lovers! | | | It was another five days of the #WFH grind. For most of us at CBC Arts, I think that’s safe to say. But while I was blowing my lunch break debating the correct use of “LOL” over Slack, one of our colleagues was out becoming a bona fide showrunner. Who’s that? The one and only Amanda Parris, the (CSA-nominated!) host of CBC Arts: Exhibitionists and creator of the brand new web series Revenge of the Black Best Friend. The show premiered on CBC Gem Thursday (watch it here!) and it’s a comedy with a bit of a surreal premise: what if you could stage an intervention for a Hollywood hit — a so-called classic that doesn’t pass the DuVernay test?
On Revenge of the Black Best Friend, Dr. Toni Shakur (Olunike Adeliyi) is a self-help guru who comes to the aid of sidelined Black characters, getting them into the spotlight they deserve. It’s a concept that reminded me of this old episode of The Cut Podcast, recommended listening for any ‘90s kid who rented Matilda or A Little Princess. On the episode, producer B.A. Parker tracks down some of her favourite child actresses of the era. As kids, they played some version of the Black best friend trope, and they discuss “the lasting effects of being labelled a sidekick.”
As for what’s happening on Revenge of the Black Best Friend, all six episodes are streaming now. Later this week, it’s heading to Canneseries, Cannes International Series Festival, where it'll be appearing in the short-form competition. Amazing. The Toronto Star recently touched base with Amanda about the show for this feature about new Canadian web series. Another notable mention from that article: Topline, created by CBC Arts alum Romeo Candido. (RIYL: pop music, coming-of-age drama, Toronto on screen. Watch it here.) | | | And because we promised you eye candy ... | | |  | Riisa Gundesen | I only just stumbled on this Edmonton artist’s website, so as a late-breaking addition to last week’s “goblin mode” roundup … La Goblin Odalisque. (That’s not the actual title. I’m just enough of a goober to think it works. Title: Reclining Nude. Artist: Riisa Gundesen.) | | | | |  | @shameusseamus/Instagram | | Séamus Gallagher (previously seen here), Marisa Kriangwiwat Holmes and Clara Lacasse are the recipients of the 2022 New Generation Photography Award. As part of the prize, their work will feature in a pair of winners exhibitions, including a show at the National Gallery of Canada. | | | | |  | @burn_island/Instagram | | Beauty springs … from a busted old truck hood. Garrett Owen Gilbart is the artist behind this rugged piece. (For those who braved Toronto’s One Of A Kind show this weekend, did you stop by his booth?) | | | | |  | @thebentway/Instagram | | That picture’s just a mock-up illustration, but it’s your first peek at a new public art installation that’ll be appearing under Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway come May. The Bentway announced its summer schedule recently, and this piece by Mimi Lien is among the highlights. | | | | |  | Jackie Brown | | | | | Get financial advice from a working Canadian actor. A few quick tips: keep your receipts and maybe try to have rich parents. | | | | |  | Jocelyne Junker, Capture Photography Festival | | | | | The largest photography festival in Western Canada kicked off Friday. Check out some of the highlights. | | | | |  | zdars.co | | | | | | | The Toronto comic book artist on the challenges of writing Batman, and why his new project is a comic about comics. | | | Share this newsletter | | or subscribe if this was
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I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time! | | | | | |
