Boxcutter

Tonight could be Rome’s big break. All he needs to do is get his tracks in front of a Grammy Award-winning producer rumoured to be dropping in at an invite-only event. But when his computer—and, with it, his music—is stolen, Rome finds himself racing against time to recover it. Joined by childhood friend Jenaya, they embark on a quest through every corner of Toronto, encountering an array of vibrant characters who either help or throw them off course.

In the director’s words, Boxcutter is “an ode to a vibrant and underappreciated music scene.” It is also unabashedly Toronto in a way rarely seen on screen, reflecting the city we live and breathe in our neighbourhoods. Director Reza Dahya’s debut feature film inhabits the town; the rich imagery and soundscapes beautifully exhibit the movement and complexities of its characters and the place they call home.

Dahya’s love of music runs deep. Formerly the co-host of OTA Live on FLOW 93.5 FM, he channels his passion for hip-hop into Boxcutter and, like the two artists at its centre, stakes his claim on the scene and the city by capturing it on screen for the first time.

– Marina Hanna