Learn to Swim
Learn to Swim is a Canadian drama film, directed by Thyrone Tommy and released in 2021.[1] Tommy's debut full-length feature, the film centres on a stormy romantic relationship between Dezi (Thomas Antony Olajide) and Selma (Emma Ferreira), two talented but troubled jazz musicians.[2]
| Learn to Swim | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Thyrone Tommy |
| Written by | Marni Van Dyk Thyrone Tommy |
| Produced by | Alona Metzer |
| Starring | Thomas Antony Olajide Emma Ferreira |
| Cinematography | Nick Haight |
| Edited by | Baun Mah Shaun Rykiss |
| Music by | Chester Hansen Leland Whitty TiKA |
Production company | Leilani Films |
| Distributed by | Mongrel Media |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Both Olajide and Ferreira were named among TIFF's annual Rising Stars program for emerging actors.[2]
The film premiered in the Discovery program at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.[3]
Critical response
Norman Wilner of Now rated the film four N's, writing that "from one angle it could be A Star Is Born; from another, maybe it's Once. But music – especially jazz – is all about taking the standards and reinterpreting them into new forms, giving us something new that we can still recognize in flashes. That's what Tommy and co-writer Marni Van Dyk are doing with Learn To Swim, scrambling time and weaving other storylines into Dezi and Selma's collaboration."[4]
The film was named to TIFF's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list for 2021.[5]
References
- Norman Wilner, "10 Canadian films we’re excited to see at TIFF 2021". Now, September 3, 2021.
- Victoria Ahearn, "From ‘Night Raiders’ to ‘Scarborough’: Five Canadian films making waves at TIFF". Toronto Star, September 6, 2021.
- Rebecca Rubin, "Toronto Film Festival Unveils Contemporary World Cinema and Discovery Lineup". Variety, July 28, 2021.
- Norman Wilner, "TIFF 2021, Day 3: Don't let Learn To Swim be drowned out by bigger pictures". Now, September 11, 2021.
- Norman Wilner, "TIFF announces Canada’s Top Ten films of 2021". Now, December 6, 2021.