Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Any Given Day”: Insider’s perspective on mental illness; Toronto Hot Docs

Director, writer and producer Margaret Byrne takes us down a road that is a long journey where it seems impossible to ever reach a happy destination. The road we travel upon is mental illness in Chicago where Chicago’s Cook County offered a specialized probation for mental illness diagnosed detainees. A special court geared to provideContinue reading ““Any Given Day”: Insider’s perspective on mental illness; Toronto Hot Docs”

“The Doll”: Iran’s Progressive Morals on Display: Toronto Hot Docs

In today’s “progressive” Iran a 35-year-old father Alireza who considers himself a “enlightened traditionalist” considers marrying off his 14-year-old grade 9 daughter Asal to Soroush a medical student in university. If it wasn’t so sad and disgraceful it might be a comedy. As we hear from various relatives about the pros and cons of theContinue reading ““The Doll”: Iran’s Progressive Morals on Display: Toronto Hot Docs”

“Archipelago”: A Dreamy and Poetic Journey: Toronto Hot Docs

Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s “Archipelago” is an animated dreamy poetic journey in which 12 different animators show their style of animation. The narration is at times poetic and very fluid. This in contrast to an old newsreel narrated in a 1950’s style. I think the newsreel was called “Les ÎIes de St. Laurent” taking a voyage fromContinue reading ““Archipelago”: A Dreamy and Poetic Journey: Toronto Hot Docs”

“Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 55 “Bertie Foonbean and Squid Converse”

The ice began to melt after a couple of Moleson Export beers. They ate a sumptuous meal of lamb that the Greek Gods had provided and some wine sent from Bacchus. After their meal and the dishes had been cleaned they retired to the study for brandy and cigars. Bertie initiated the conversation after lightingContinue reading ““Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 55 “Bertie Foonbean and Squid Converse””

“Kimmapiiyipitssini”: The Scourge of Fentanyl and Opioids in the Kainai Blackfoot Community in Southern Alberta: Toronto Hot Docs

“Kimmapiiypitssini” in Blackfoot in short means empathy and involves giving kindness to each other and feeling for others and you are blessed if you show it. Perhaps for me it is a vital component of mindful living. Aa one police officer on the Blackfoot Reserve in Southern Alberta muses what would our people be likeContinue reading ““Kimmapiiyipitssini”: The Scourge of Fentanyl and Opioids in the Kainai Blackfoot Community in Southern Alberta: Toronto Hot Docs”

“Mutantism on the March”: Chapter 54 “The Greek Gods Catch up with Squid”

After Squid’s brief address to the McSwill University students a strangely attired man wearing some ancient Greek garb walked up to Squid stating he had urgent business to discuss with him. Passing the awestruck audience Squid and the man headed up to his cave deep in Mount Royal. The man spoke, “I am from theContinue reading ““Mutantism on the March”: Chapter 54 “The Greek Gods Catch up with Squid””

“Ostrov – Lost Island”: Misery and the New Tsardom: Toronto Hot Docs

The Russians have perfected the art over the last hundred years of criticizing authoritarian power through allegory in literature and poetry. Sometimes they get away with it but sometimes with novels from Solzhenitsyn like “Cancer Ward” or “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” it goes too far for the authorities to tolerate. InContinue reading ““Ostrov – Lost Island”: Misery and the New Tsardom: Toronto Hot Docs”

“About Endlessness”: Dare I Interpret?

This is a film that the director likes to taunt you into trying to interpret what it means. Yes a Swedish-Norwegian-German production puzzling you and challenging some sort of interpretation. No this is not “The Joker” or “Black Panther”. Instead you may be asking:” What the hell is going on here?” And that can beContinue reading ““About Endlessness”: Dare I Interpret?”

Canada’s Approach of Vaccinations May Be Misguided: The 4 Month Wait For the Second COVID Vaccination May Be Dangerous for Your Health!

IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15:00 UK Time / 10:00 US ET ? Friday 30 April, 2021 Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection rescues B and T cell responses to variants after first vaccine dose A single dose of vaccine boosts protection against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variants, but only in those with previous COVID-19, a studyContinue reading “Canada’s Approach of Vaccinations May Be Misguided: The 4 Month Wait For the Second COVID Vaccination May Be Dangerous for Your Health!”

“Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 53 “Squid Stirs Up Shit At McSwill University in Montreal”

Squid had many McSwill students offer to assist in establishing a Quebec mutant movement. Amongst the progressives Squid was seen as an inspirational figure. The establishment did not share the enthusiasm. The McSwill Board of Governors, pinnacles of capitalistic success, were wary of this new voice. The complete male composed Board had heavily invested theirContinue reading ““Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 53 “Squid Stirs Up Shit At McSwill University in Montreal””