D for Daughter<\/em>. This coming-of-age tale set in the recent past is Ms. Zivic\u2019s exploration of a young woman\u2019s early stages of self-definition. A teen girl named D becomes fascinated with her single father\u2019s one-night-stand, Vanessa. Though the film doesn\u2019t shy away from sex and nudity, it is in no way gratuitous. D\u2019s curiosity is tangible. Her fixation on Vanessa is shrewdly vague by the filmmaker, leaving the audience to wonder whether D wants to be her or simply wants her.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBy shading things in a way which prompts the viewer to lean into their own inclinations, the story can take on different tones. The editing (also done by Christine) is as vital in achieving this as any of the directing or acting. The subtlety of the story and its presentation is essential to what Christine wanted to impart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She explains, \u201cD for Daughter was meant for me to explore womanhood; what it means to be a woman, what is femininity, and how a woman comes of age. As such, it felt necessary to juxtapose that with the kind of toxic masculine energy that makes it hard to embrace femininity. Kyle [D\u2019s father] isn\u2019t a super attentive father, he\u2019s kind of a child himself which further forces D to grow up faster than she should.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most remarkable scenes in the film occurs as D rifles through Vanessa\u2019s purse and then voyeuristically witnesses her semi-nude talking to Kyle in the bedroom. In this \u201coner\u201d we witness the spark that ignites D\u2019s journey throughout the film. In mere moments we see the progression from wanting to leave quickly, to being curious, to being nervous, to being completely entranced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the numerous awards received by D for Daughter<\/em> are Best LGBTQ Short and Best Supporting Actress at Festival \u00c9mergence de Montr\u00e9al\/Montreal Emerging Film Festival, Best Supporting Actress at Culver City Film Festival\u00ae, Best LGBTQ short at London Movie Awards, as well as other festivals including the Hong Kong Indie Film Festival, Vancouver Independent Film Festival, and Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chirstine Zivic (on left) during the making of Airplane Mode<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCanadian filmgoers were fond of the Zivic directed\/produced Airplane Mode<\/em> which won a Fan Favorite Award from Cinemark. Distributed in Cineplex theaters across Canada and Landmark theaters, this production was created as part of the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program. It\u2019s story steers the audience towards positivity in a unique way.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTwo female college friends are seen communicating on their phones throughout the day but once they arrive at the theater to watch a film together, the real connection begins. Simple yet speaking loudly, the message focuses on the benefits of real in-person togetherness. The use of camera phones, wide angle lenses, and zooming effects give an emotional scale and diversity to its presentation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n