Andrea Werhun brings her experiences as an escort and exotic dancer to life in Modern Whore.Crave/Supplied
Modern Whore, Crave
One part documentary, one part comedy and one part drama, this Crave original has been the talk of the Canadian screen industry since its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. Andrea Werhun brings her experiences as an escort and exotic dancer to life through re-enactments and interviews, building on the stories she first shared in her 2018 memoir. Her goal is to provide an alternative view to the assumptions and misconceptions surrounding sex workers, told in an unforgettable way. Sometimes campy, other times serious, the film always comes across as honest and heartfelt, particularly when Werhun sits down with her partner and mother.
Mo Gilligan embarks on a 28-day fast-food journey across the U.K. and the U.S. in Big Chicken.Netflix
Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy, Netflix
It’s been 22 years since Morgan Spurlock put his health on the line to expose the fast-food industry, and McDonald’s in particular. In this similarly structured film, comedian Mo Gilligan embarks on his own fast-food journey across the U.K. and the U.S. For 28 days he feasts on nothing but his favourite food: fried chicken. While physical and mental health is an initial focus, the journey quickly transforms into something even more sinister when the industry’s motives are revealed through interviews with experts, food scientists, activists, historians and those responsible for perfecting the exact crunch and taste of the popular dish. Some of the stories uncovered such as the science behind flavour are staggering, and are even more compelling when told through Gilligan’s comedic viewpoint. At the very least it will have you rethinking your next drive-through order.
Casting now open for Canadian version of hit dating show Love Is Blind
Kathy Hancock entered into a relationship with Stephen Griffiths, a British serial killer.Gareth Prescott/Supplied
Serial Killer Wives, Paramount+
There are plenty of documentaries and series about serial killers, particularly some of the more famous ones. What isn’t as often documented are the stories of the people who loved these killers, and the blinders they may have had about their spouses’ activities. Enter this series, which makes its debut on Paramount+ Canada this week. Each episode digs into the stories of former partners of serial killers, as they give first-hand accounts of what living with these people was actually like. It’s a rare peek into the minds of these criminals from those who believed they knew them best, and the show may leave you with a new understanding for some of these victims.
Caitlyn Jenner won the decathlon in the 1976 Olympic Games.CBC Gem/Supplied
Montreal 1976: Olympic Legacy, CBC Gem
There are so many moments to reflect upon when it comes to the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Aside from the new design elements and monumental performances, these were the games that left the city with a massive debt that was only fully paid off 30 years later. If you want to skim the surface with some of these stories, this new original mini-docuseries offers six introductory vignettes. From gymnast Nadia Comāneci earning a perfect score and the East Germany doping scandal to Caitlyn Jenner’s decathlon win and the overall safety measures the city needed to implement for the Games, these are bite-sized snippets designed to showcase just how monumental the event was.
Heated Rivalry casts another Canadian to hit the ice in Season 2
Travis Barker sustained third-degree burns over 65 per cent of his body in a plane crash.Daniel Rojas/Supplied
Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear, Disney+
In 2008, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker was in a fatal plane crash that killed four people. He and collaborator Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein were the only survivors, and Barker sustained third-degree burns over 65 per cent of his body. That kind of event haunts a person, creating survivor’s remorse and other traumatic responses. (Goldstein was found dead a year later of a drug overdose.) Now, Barker sits down for this comprehensive doc, which examines his life before and after the crash. It’s an honest look at the way he lived before that fated flight and the measures he took to become a better person afterward, painting a picture of a tough survivor with newfound priorities. It’s an emotional watch with compelling interviews and plenty of access, all of which adds up to an inspiring account of a man who is just grateful to be alive.