In Montreal, a young woman wearing a Spin magazine T-shirt gazes intently at an empty screen on her 2011 MacBook. This scene mirrors the storyline of the film “Mile End Kicks,” directed by Chandler Levack, who transitioned from being a film and music critic in Toronto to embracing Montreal’s booming music community. Levack’s filmmaking journey took off in 2022 with her debut movie “I Like Movies,” focusing on a teenager whose identity revolves around film fandom.
Her success with “I Like Movies” paved the way for “Mile End Kicks,” her second film. Now, with “Mile End Kicks” and her third feature, “Roommates,” set to premiere on April 17 in theaters and on Netflix, Levack finds herself overwhelmed by the rapid turn of events. Describing her current situation to CBC News, Levack expressed feeling surreal, as if she had entered an alternate reality.
“Mile End Kicks,” loosely inspired by Levack’s experiences in Montreal during the summer of 2011, follows the character Grace, portrayed by Barbie Ferreira from “Euphoria,” as she embarks on a journey as an aspiring music writer in Mile End. Levack reminisces about the vibrant music scene in Montreal during that period, witnessing the emergence of iconic artists like Grimes, Mac DeMarco, Tops, and Cadence Weapon. This era left a profound impact on Levack, making her feel like she was living in a movie for the first time.
The film “Mile End Kicks” sheds light on a perspective often overlooked in music scene narratives – that of a young woman. Levack reflects on her time immersed in the male-dominated rock-and-roll environment, revealing the challenges she faced as a 22-year-old woman writing about music. Grace’s encounters with male-dominated spaces in the film resonate with Levack’s personal experiences.
Levack draws inspiration from Canadian musician Alanis Morissette, whose album “Jagged Little Pill” played a pivotal role in Levack’s artistic journey. The film captures Grace’s exploration of Morissette’s legacy and her own struggles with sexism and exploitation in the music industry. Levack shares her intense involvement in shaping Ferreira’s character, emphasizing the importance of portraying authenticity and vulnerability in her storytelling.
As Levack navigates the whirlwind release of her third film, “Roommates,” her career trajectory has accelerated unexpectedly. Balancing the post-production of “Mile End Kicks,” Levack received an offer to direct “Roommates,” a college comedy produced by Adam Sandler and featuring his daughter Sadie. The rapid succession of film releases has left Levack feeling like she has given birth to twins in terms of creative output.
Despite the frenetic pace of her work, Levack values the opportunity to collaborate with Sandler on a mainstream comedy, highlighting the rarity of female directors leading such projects. Transitioning from Toronto to Los Angeles, Levack is adapting to a new chapter in her career amidst a thriving Canadian film industry. The resurgence of interest in Canadian cinema, including her projects and others like “Blue Heron,” signifies a significant moment for Canadian culture, resonating even as external challenges loom.
Overall, Levack’s journey from a dropout to a prominent filmmaker underscores the power of authenticity and resilience in storytelling, resonating with audiences in profound ways.
