Last Stop Video Rentals
directed by
Eric Janvier
Ontario
Nick Young is a 20-something college dropout whose life is going nowhere fast. The only thing he has to look forward to is marrying his longtime girlfriend, Deandre, and being one of the first to watch The Phantom Menace. On this particular day, it all falls apart as he's called into work, Deandra breaks it off with him, and he loses his chance to be first in line.
Programmer's Notes
Eric Janvier's Last Stop Video Rentals is an ensemble coming-of-age comedy following a group of young video store clerks over the course of one day.
On May 19, 1999 — the premiere of Star Wars: Episode I—Nick has the day off to see the movie, but is called into work and unexpectedly promoted the same day his girlfriend dumps him. This shift becomes a catalyst for self-reflection, as Nick and his slacker coworkers are forced to finally ask themselves what the hell they're doing with their lives.
A stoner comedy with heart, Last Stop Video Rentals carries the indie charm of cult favourites like Clerks and Slacker, while pairing its humour with the introspection of Kicking and Screaming. Shot on 16mm, Janvier's mumblecore-driven approach captures the messy rhythms of young adulthood with an unmistakable sense of nostalgia.
Janvier makes you long for a simpler time—while simultaneously reminding you how happy you are to be done with that phase of your life. Warm and irreverent, Last Stop Video Rentals finds meaning in the silly and mundane, showing us that sometimes all it takes is one day to make you realize it's time to find your spark again.
Programmer, Aisha Evelyna
Cast
Yassine El Fassi El Fihri, Jade V. Robinson, Andrew Hunter, Emily Lizotte
About the Director
Eric is a writer and director whose short film Reserved aired on CBC's Short Film Face Off. He later ventured into documentary filmmaking with the award-winning short Heartbeat of a Nation, exploring cultural reclamation and identity. Eric has been recognized with the TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award, the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative, the TIFF Filmmakers Lab, and the Rotterdam Producers Lab. He made his feature directorial debut with Last Stop Video Rentals.
Running Time
1:16:00
Language
English
Country
Canada
Producers
Megan Shott, Eric Janvier
Province
Alberta
