Over 50 years after a memorable overnight train ride, Sandy McLennan retraces his journey across Canada, capturing regional and remote lines on Double 8mm film, the same format he first fell in love with through family home movies. Paired with other gems from the NAC’s 16mm Library, this program celebrates the texture, intimacy, and charm of classic celluloid storytelling.
tickets are $10
MY CANADIAN TRAIN JOURNEY
Sandy McLennan | Canada | 2025 | 19m
50-plus years after a memorable overnight Canadian train ride, Sandy McLennan boards regional and remote lines, with main line and public transit between them. This time shooting Double 8mm film, the same format he fell in love with while screening family home movies just for himself. What was he thinking?
Sandy McLennan loves wandering just outside his darkroom door with cameras and sound recorders. Hand-processing and printing motion pictures via chemistry and chance reveals memory of personal and state-of-the-world emotions. Specializing in Double 8mm and 16mm film, he might include audio improvised from location field recordings, self-talk and the physical sound of assembling. He leads workshops giving the experience of slow-hand time and revelation. He has received production and travel grants from Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council.
Checkout Darkroom Play: A Workshop by Sandy McLennan at MNFF25!
INVERTED LENS: 16MM MOVIES ABOUT MOVIES
An evening of film from the largest and most eclectic collection of 16mm in Niagara—with 1000 titles ranging from the classics of the film history canon to infamous disasterpieces; from home movies to decades-old newsreels; and including a wealth of rescued ephemeral: educational, advertising, and workplace training films.
Take in the ineffable warmth and richness of experiencing the moving image on film in NAC’s cozy Microcinema.
HOSTED BY NAC MEMBERS JC CULP + REN KANGAS
