In Montreal, a young woman wearing a Spin magazine T-shirt is staring intently at the blank screen of her 2011 MacBook. This scene mirrors the storyline of the film “Mile End Kicks,” directed by Chandler Levack, who made a move from Toronto to Montreal’s vibrant music scene.
Levack gained recognition in 2022 with her debut film “I Like Movies,” focusing on a teenager whose life revolves around film fandom. This success paved the way for her subsequent projects, including “Mile End Kicks,” her second film.
Now, Levack finds herself riding a wave of success with “Mile End Kicks” and her third feature, “Roommates,” scheduled for release on April 17 in theaters and on Netflix. In an interview with CBC News, Levack expressed her astonishment at the rapid turn of events, describing it as surreal and feeling like she entered an unexpected timeline.
Set in Montreal during the summer of 2011, “Mile End Kicks” loosely depicts Levack’s experiences in the city, following Grace (played by Barbie Ferreira from “Euphoria”), an aspiring music writer who relocates to the Mile End neighborhood. Levack reminisces about the vibrant music scene in Montreal at that time, where she witnessed the emergence of iconic artists like Grimes and Mac DeMarco.
Inspired by the film “Almost Famous,” Levack embarked on her filmmaking journey after leaving university and writing for publications like Spin and The Village Voice. “Mile End Kicks” offers a unique perspective by portraying the challenges faced by a young woman in a male-dominated music environment, drawing from Levack’s personal encounters.
The film also pays homage to Canadian music icon Alanis Morissette, with Grace’s writing assignment about Morissette serving as a pivotal moment. Levack highlights Morissette’s journey of overcoming sexism and exploitation in the music industry, particularly through her album “Jagged Little Pill.”
Despite her busy schedule, juggling the releases of “Mile End Kicks” and “Roommates,” Levack reflects on her unexpected opportunity to direct the latter, a college comedy produced by Adam Sandler and starring his daughter Sadie. She describes the experience as a whirlwind, akin to giving birth to twins, considering the challenges of working through the pandemic.
Transitioning to her new life in Los Angeles, Levack acknowledges the thriving Canadian film industry and the positive reception of Canadian cinema. She emphasizes the growing excitement around Canadian movies and the cultural impact they are making on a global scale, amidst challenging political climates.
As Levack continues to make her mark in the film industry, she remains committed to telling authentic stories and connecting with audiences through her unconventional and honest filmmaking approach.