Hot Docs Kicks Off With "Act of God"

Jennifer Baichwal (second from left) joined Hot Docs Executive Director Chris MacDonald (far left) on stage at the Winter Garden Theater in Toronto Thursday night for a presentation of her doc "Act of God." "God" marks the first opening night film of the Hot Docs International Canadian Documentary Festival directed by a Canadian. Joining them on stage was "God" producer Nick de Pencier (right of Baichwal) and two of the subjects of the film, which explores the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning. It does so by telling seven stories from around the world that raise and respond to these questions, while keeping the sky and what comes out of it as a central visual metaphor and thread. "God" was recently picked up by Zeitgeist for U.S. release. Hot Docs continues through this week, and indieWIRE will be on the scene. (photo credit: Sami Siva).