Canadian Province of British Columbia Yanks ALL AMERICAN ALCOHOL OFF THE SHELVES

British Columbia originally pulled all American Red State (Republican) American alcohol off liquor stores in British Columbia.

On 10March2025 the pull now applies to all American alcohol.

Premier David Eby of British Columbia made the following statement, “Today, we are ordering the removal of all American beer, wine, spirits and refreshment beverages from the shelves at BCLIQUOR stores. The stores carry hundreds of types of U.S. alcohol that the BC Liquor Distribution Branch will also no longer be purchasing. 

“We are taking this action in response to escalating threats from south of the border. Most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump made new threats against Canada’s dairy and lumber industries – and there are reports he has been musing about redrawing the border. 

“Last week, we took ‘red state’ liquor off our shelves in a targeted move. In the face of ongoing threats, including to Canada’s dairy and lumber industries, we are expanding the list of targeted American products. 

“We have heard the voices of people in British Columbia who are justifiably upset by American threats – and want to see us take this step.

“While some of us may be disappointed at not being able to access some of our favourites, this is an excellent opportunity to sample Canadian products. I encourage those who enjoy Napa Valley wines to enjoy the many award winners from the Okanagan Valley. British Columbia distillers produce many distinguished spirits, while we also brew popular domestic and delicious craft beers. 

“We will be introducing legislation this week to address these unprecedented threats from the United States. 

“Let there be no mistake about the intent behind tariffs. President Trump wants to hurt Canada economically so he can annex Canada politically. As hard as it is to believe, our longtime friend and ally is behaving like a foe. Trump wants to force us into becoming the 51st state. That will never happen. We are proud Canadians. We will always be the true north, strong and free. Elbows up!”

Americans Held Hostage by Greenlander’s Barbarism: The American Full-Bodied People Society Speaks Up: Spoof News Services: Houston,Texas:11March2025

At a news conference today in Houston, Texas Mr. Tony Waddle of the American Full-Bodied People Society declared Americans are being held hostage by the decision of the government of Denmark to impose a 350% retaliatory tariff on the export of maigreism to the United States.

Maigreism is a key ingredient in American weight loss drugs. It is mined in abundance in Greenland and nowhere else.

Over 234,000 million American men, women, children and pet dogs are on these weight loss drugs.

Mr. Waddle stated, “Americans in the New Golden Age are entitled to eat to their heart’s content. It is all-American! It might even be in our Constitution. First the Canadian state of Ontario cut off all electricity to our country and now a barbarous act of placing a huge tariff on maigreism. We urge our President to order the Governor of Canada to reinstate electricity exports without tariffs and the King of Greenland to un-tariff maigresim!”

Spoof News Services attempted to solicit comments from tariff czar Bill Slugnick but was informed by a spokesperson he was too busy to respond to our queries as he as planning the invasion of Greenland.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “Biko and His Balkan Orchestra”: Sometimes Very Good Things Happen to Those Who Wait

Biko Agusev resides in the Republic of North Macedonian town of Strumica 53 kms from the Greek border. His “clan”, as Biko refers to, has been playing music for generations. His band is preparing to perform at the Naousa Carnival a pre-Lent Mardi Gras type of festival occurring annually in the city of Naousa, Greece between 20February-2 March.

We are tempted, or teased if you wish, at the outset of the documentary with a rough cut of his music with a snippet of a rehearsal in a school gymnasium and the music is intriguing. But then we are bogged down in a slow pace with Biko’s walk around his quarter with friends, his preparation for the trip and performance and his journey to his annual gig at a restaurant in Naousa all of minimal interest.

The “action” heats up and it fact it sizzles once Biko and his “orchestra” arrive in Naousa where his band is a known commodity. They perform on the pavement outside the restaurant to a crowd in the frenzy of a carnival.

Their style is difficult to categorize but there are influences one might categorize as Turkish, Greek, big band, New Orleans jazz, Mariachi and war movie soundtrack. Whatever the style is it is wild and infectious. As a bonus we are treated to the street music of a Patanida Parade the day after Biko’s performance and Biko and his Balkan Orchestra join in playing slower and more traditional music.

Very good things happen here for those who wait!

This 75-minute Greek documentary is directed by Anna Antonopoulou and Giorgos Spyridis.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 82/100.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “10 Reports in 10 Minutes”: On the Front Lines of Child Pornography “Management”

Eko and five other analysts work at the Dutch Pornography Reporting Centre reviewing material provided to it through a national hotline.

Eko is the longest serving analyst with four years experience and has removed some 200,000 offensive online videos and pictures.

Viewers spend 15 minutes watching Eko at work commenting to the camera what he is watching, categorizing and reporting to law enforcement.

The impression beyond disgust at hearing what he is viewing and categorizing is the speed and the mechanical nature of his job.

At one point his voice wavers recounting a particularly vile video and it must have been horrific as what he regularly views involve children as young as one and two some even professionally produced or photographed.

His coping mechanism is the diversion of taking breaks, listening to music or checking his e-mail and texts.

We are all aware of child pornography but the documentary illustrates its pervasive and commercial reach and an attempt to curb it. What Eko and his colleagues deal with is only the 500,000 reported photos and videos reported to the Dutch Pornography Reporting Centre yearly.  How many unreported photos and videos are circulating?

The documentary provides a glimpse of the extent of child pornography and one mechanism to “manage” it. Sadly, the extent of it makes its elimination impossible.

This 17-minute Dutch documentary is directed by Jefta Varwijk and Jaap Van Heusden.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 86/100.

RKS Literature: How Exactly are Babies Born? (Wally Lamb)

“My information about sex was a mosaic of eavesdropping, process of elimination and filling in the blanks. In third grade I heard the term “sleeping together” and spent time worrying that accidental fatigue could make an unwanted child-that male and female strangers sharing a seat together on an overnight train might innocently doze off and wake up as parents, For awhile I believed that people got pregnant by rubbing their chests together.”

Wally Lamb, “She’s Come Undone”, 1992

RKS 2025 Wine: Light Plus Heavy = Moderate? Ji Ji Malbec and Pinot Noir

Malbec is more intense and denser than Pinot Noir. So you blend them both in equal proportions and you have a moderate wine? That is what El Molino has done here and what is the result?

Bottled unoaked. Carbonic maceration.

Aroma: Neither light nor heavy. Raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate and a tad earthy and brackish although I could swear some oak presence?

Palate: Light on tannins with discrete acidity. Raspberry and strawberry with a raspy elegance. Moderate finish to this medium bodied wine. No “big fruit” jumping about in the mouth.

Personality: Neither this nor that. A bit of this and that.

Food Match: Navy beans in a rich tomato sauce.

Cellarbility: Will not improve in the cellar. Drink by end of 2025.

Price: $21 CDN.

RKS 2025 Wine Rating: 87/100. Luis Gutiérrez 92/100.

(Ji Ji Gen Fuerza Tranquila Malbec Pinot Noir, Finca Don Emilio Tupungato, Argentina, 750 mL, 13.1%).

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: HOT DOCS: “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story”

Jackie Shane (born Jack Shane) was born in Nashville in 1940 abandoned by his 16-year-old unmarried mother being brought up by relatives. By eight years of age he was singing in a church choir adding to his musical background of spiritual music played often by his grandmother. Shane purchased some drums to start his musical career and took off quickly in the Nashville scene of the 1950’s. Shane had an early feminine streak and his musical career enabled Jack to become Jackie and as success blessed her the wardrobe increased in size as well as an enormous jewellery collection. The wardrobe was androgenous and never mega drag queen.

Skilled playing the drums she was a studio musician for many well-known acts recording in Nashville and singing and drumming in Nashville clubs she took on the name “Little Jackie”. She was friends with Little Richard also like Jackie black and gay. It was dreadful being black in the southern United States and adding to that queer it was even more dangerous.

Shane joined a travelling carnival travelling throughout the United States singing in a tent ending up one day with the carnival in Cornwall, Ontario. She set off to Montreal becoming a smashing success on the Main. Shane was kidnapped by the Montreal Mafia, owners of most of the clubs on the Main. The offer was made to make her a star on the understanding the Mafia would own her. Declining the “offer” she continued her Montreal shows with the Frank Motely Band. Then to Boston with Motely to a huge success with crowds in the street listening to her performance on loudspeakers. The again with Motely to Toronto taking that city by storm playing in a variety of clubs. Shane by 1961 considered Toronto her home. Toronto was not without racism but it was a far cry from the South.

Shane was so popular buses would roll in to Toronto from Buffalo and Detroit full of eager fans. It was her 1963 hit “Any Other Way” that took her as far as she would go. With the lyrics in that song, “Tell her I’m happy. Tell her I’m gay. I would not have it any other way.” Shane was to thank her character “Jackie” for letting her escape from the closet making her happy and unafraid. Shane wanted success her way and refused offers to be in the Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. Sullivan wanted restrictions on wardrobe and lyrics unacceptable to Shane and American Bandstand had only token and segregated blacks dancing over in the corner from the white kids and at the time no black audience members.  There is almost no actual footage of Shane other than a performance on “Night Train” a short-lived late night musical show in Nashville.

Off to Pasadena with her lover Dan Matlock in 1971 and then in 1978 she returned to Nashville to care for her ailing stepmother and stepfather. She became a recluse after their death. Then in 2016 a double album set of her recordings was released and a Grammy nomination ensued in 2019 for Best Historical Album and tentative plans for a Toronto, New York and Los Angeles tour. Shane died before her rebirth and thanks to this documentary her name is up on the marquee again.

I can only imagine Sinatra and Shane singing “My Way” as those words sum up the career of Jackie Shane.

Writers and Directors are Michael Mabbot and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 83/100.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “My Sextortion Diary” (Todo Lo Cubre la Sol): A Currency of Threats and Humiliation

Patricia Franquesa, a Spanish filmmaker, meets her ex-boyfriend at a restaurant in Madrid for lunch. Her laptop is stolen by two men as is visible on security camera footage. She reports the matter to the Madrid police. Two months later a hacker informs her three “compromising pictures” on her laptop will be distributed to all those on her contact list unless $2,400 USD (BITCOIN) is paid.

Patricia informs her contacts that her laptop was stolen and the blackmailing hacker may be contacting them with the explicit photos and if so the e-mail should not be opened but not deleted as it may be used for evidence.

Patricia refuses to pay the ransom and the hacker continues off and on with threats as after all the threat is the weapon and the longer the resistance the more desperate the extorter may get and the less currency the threat has. After all sextortion’s currency is the threat secured by fear of humiliation of the victim.

The police in Madrid and Barcelona dutifully take reports but are not making any progress due to a lack of interest or resources. The two thieves are arrested but the hacker is still at large.

Patricia acts as a sleuth and makes progress in finding the IP address of the hacker (in Spain) which VPN has obfuscated but still can prove somewhat useful. Then the hacker makes a beginner’s mistake narrowing down the list of suspects. The mystery deepens when a full security video emerges with a third man at the scene of the theft talking to the two thieves and signalling them to steal the laptop. At this point my strong suspicions as to who the hacker is are bolstered. Considering the fact the hacker knew Patricia was just returning from vacation is a mistake on the hacker’s part exposing a personal connection. Additionally, why has the hacker spent so much time and effort for a paltry $2,400 ransom. It is beginning to sound like a very personal matter perhaps amounting to revenge. 

Patricia defeats the hacker through a bold and unexpected manoeuvre and then makes this documentary about her unpleasant experience. You might want to say for all the anxiety and stress suffered Patricia has her revenge on the hacker.

The documentary throws out a few statistics about sextortion and its true extent is probably greater than published statistics as many of its victims remain silent fearing embarrassment and humiliation if they do so. It assumes even more pernicious dimensions when directed toward adolescents as can be witnessed by the death of Amanda Todd in Canada recently committing suicide in desperation after being sextorted.

The film concludes with an old radio broadcast describing the potential terror of nuclear destruction. Sextortion may have a destructive nuclear effect on its victims.

RKS 202% Documentary Film Rating: 86/100.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “Small Dogs Bark Loud”: A Recipe for a Successful Children’s Documentary

 The 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival runs until 16March2025.

“Small Dogs Bark Loud” is a Norwegian documentary deserving categorization as a successful children’s documentary and even more appealing as it doesn’t leave the adult viewer drowning in syrupy and overly simplistic platitudes.

Tuni, a twelve-year-old, lives with her family undergoing challenges leaving Tuni with some anxiety and fear. Her older brother she thought so happy and adventurous committed suicide. Her mother’s liver cancer is worsening. Tuni realizing the concept of time as a limited commodity devises a comforting bucket list.

Her companion and confidant to express her emotions is a tiny white Maltipoo Chihuahua mix, Salto acquired a year after her brother’s suicide. Tuni has an attitude and he acts far larger than his size challenging larger dogs and farm animals with a less than ferocious bark which is less a bark and more of a yap!

Salto is cute and immediately attractive to a child and even more attractive as he engages in conversation with Pus the family cat, other dogs and farm animals. His mission is to protect and care for Tuni.

Tuni has difficult issues to manage including suicide, serious illness and her various related anxieties. The importance of family, companionship, loyalty compassion, friendship and adversity are dealt with in the documentary in both a serious manner yet with levity brought about by that cute fluffball Salto. Many children face similar issues and “Small Dogs Bark Loud”  tackles them so very gently any rough edges smoothed out by that loveable Salto. Serious enough to engage adults.

A journey of healing.

My take is that it is attractive to the 8–12-year-old child and parental companions.

This 75-minute Norwegian documentary is directed by Nora Tvedt Nivedita.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 88/100.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “9:30”: Finding Some Good from the Depths of Unspeakable Horror

It was just another day in May of 2020 at 09:30 when 34-year-old accountant Ionna Paliospirou parked her car and headed towards the elevator in the lobby that would take her up to her office in suburban Athens.

But it was no ordinary day as she was attacked by the elevator by a mentally disturbed women under the mistaken idea Ionna had stolen a man with whom she had sexual relations with. She was doused with two liters of sulfuric acid.

With her mask on throughout the extended interview Ionna tells her story and it is a chilling one to be attacked and disfigured by an assailant you never met. The attacker received a prison sentence of 15 years.

The surprise and shock, the realization her skin was burning, horrible pain and the injustice of it all. Remarkably during the on-screen interview there is no anger abut the attack and the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted including the pain and a feeling of being imprisoned by having to wear the mask for two years to promote healing.

It is not sheer unending negativity and anger that shines through in the documentary but the resilience to deal with the attack and its aftermath. It is remarkable that Ionna established a foundation to offer support and protection for burn victims. Support of her friends was essential in moving on with life and helping other burn victims to do the same. There may be a silver lining in a ferocious storm cloud.

There is an element of suspense in the documentary as we are presented with Ionna at the outset of the documentary and we only learn the story moving backwards in time with the incessant WHO and WHY dogging our mind. The WHO is a disturbing surprise and the WHY is mental illness of the WHO.

All of us have heard of acid attacks and shake our heads in disgust but the documentary traverses beyond our disgust and permits observation of its physical and psychological effect on the victim.

This Greek 25-minute short documentary is directed by Constantine Venetopoulos.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating: 78/100.