Richie Assaly
@rdassaly.bsky.social
đ¤ 2952
đĽ 538
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Writes about music, books and politics.
https://linktr.ee/richieassaly
Will god forgive us?
about 11 hours ago
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Havenât received my bread settlement money yet
about 20 hours ago
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Richie Assaly
Brishti Basu
6 days ago
Discrimination in Canada, esp. at institutional levels, usually doesn't look like MAGA hats and slurs. It looks polite, civil, and simple enforcement of a "rule" that applies to a symbol for Palestine... and nothing else. Have a read and a listen to this interaction, via
@yipengge.bsky.social
:
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Doctor Removed From Ontario Medical Association AGM for Refusing to Take Off Watermelon Pin
'We want to make sure that everybody feels comfortable and safe,' an OMA executive is heard saying in audio of the incident
https://pressprogress.ca/yipeng-ge-on..
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Brutally hilarious review of ICEMAN in pitchfork. Man
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
3 days ago
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Forward Canada
3 days ago
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The Alberta separatist movement, propped up and emboldened by Danielle Smith and the UCP, is steering the province towards a dangerous political crisis. Hereâs part 1 of my explainer on the separatist drive for a referendum. đď¸
@forwardcanada.bsky.social
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Alberta Separation for Beginners, Masochists and Concerned Canadians | By Richie Assaly
Forward Weekly feature for May 17, 2026.
https://forwardweekly.ca/alberta-separation-for-beginners-part-1
4 days ago
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Wrote about Drake's decade-long descent into mediocrity and villainy for
@thestar.com
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With his new album, âIceman,â can Drake reconnect with Toronto, the city that once loved him?
Battered and scarred from beefs and scandals, the rapper has leaned into his local roots for a chance to redeem himself.
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/with-his-new-album-iceman-can-drake-reconnect-with-toronto-the-city-that-once-loved-him/article_0bece9f9-dd54-4053-bb84-5ec19453cf5e.html
7 days ago
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Wrote about Drake's decade-long descent into mediocrity and villainy for
@thestar.com
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With his new album, âIceman,â can Drake reconnect with Toronto, the city that once loved him?
Battered and scarred from beefs and scandals, the rapper has leaned into his local roots for a chance to redeem himself.
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/with-his-new-album-iceman-can-drake-reconnect-with-toronto-the-city-that-once-loved-him/article_0bece9f9-dd54-4053-bb84-5ec19453cf5e.html
7 days ago
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Remember these smiling faces when itâs 40 degrees this summer and the country is once again blanketed in wildfire smoke
8 days ago
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The Grind
8 days ago
In 2025, Cola singer and vocalist Tim Darcy lost his home when the deadly Eaton Fire tore through his Los Angeles neighbourhood.
@tombeedham.bsky.social
speaks with Darcy and his bandmates about how a sense of drift and dislocation shaped their stellar new album.
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Colaâs New Album Offers Split Visions of a World Beyond Capitalism
The Montreal- and Toronto-based bandâs third LP finds them at home between worldsâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/colas-new-album-offers-split-visions-of-a-world-beyond-capitalism/
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Good stuff
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
8 days ago
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Craig Jenkins
14 days ago
i wrote about the new kacey musgraves, which sometimes feels like a conversation about the old kacey musgraves
www.vulture.com/article/revi...
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We Got the Old Kacey Back
Musgraves recommits to country with her most compelling Texas-rooted album since her breakthrough.
https://www.vulture.com/article/review-kacey-musgraves-middle-of-nowhere.html
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Nick Hune-Brown
13 days ago
Huh, so The Times falsely quoted the Canadian leader of the opposition as saying: "If these turncoats have any shred of integrity left, they should resign their seats tonight and run in a by-election tomorrow.â Wild.
archive.is/Fu3md
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Michelle Cyca
13 days ago
personally I think it's a very big deal that the Canada bureau chief for the
@nytimes.com
â certainly one of the highest-paid journalists in the country â asked an unspecified "AI tool" what Poilievre said & published its AI-hallucinated quotes in her reporting.
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Paul Fairie
14 days ago
Lots of questions. Are they hiring in groups of 3? Should I become a journalist?
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The New York Times clearly doesnât know how much journalists in Canada get paid
job-boards.greenhouse.io/thenewyorkti...
14 days ago
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Extraordinary essay on friendship and AI by Thea Lim. Donât skip
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I Spent Months with an AI Companion. It Was Worse than Being Alone | The Walrus
I hated the mindless reassurance and generic empathy
https://thewalrus.ca/i-spent-months-with-an-ai-companion-it-was-worse-than-being-alone/
14 days ago
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Eric Wickham
16 days ago
Monthly protests against Premier Doug Ford are picking up steam. For PressProgress, I tracked the growth of the Fight Ford movement and headed down to Doug Ford's street to speak with some of the protesters.
pressprogress.ca/fight-doug-f...
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Meet the âFight Fordâ Protest Movement Thatâs Spreading Across Ontario
As dissatisfaction with Doug Ford's government continues to grow, thousands are showing up at monthly, province-wide rallies
https://pressprogress.ca/fight-doug-ford-protest-movement-spreading-across-ontario/
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Some of the photos taken by Saher Alghorra, who just won a Pulitzer for his work documenting Israelâs genocide in Gaza.
www.pulitzer.org/winners/sahe...
17 days ago
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The Grind
19 days ago
Marjolein Busstra's "House of Hope" â an intimate story about a couple who run a small progressive school in Palestine â was named Best International Feature Documentary at this year's Hot Docs Festival. Read
@rdassaly.bsky.social
's review:
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West Bank School Struggles Under Tightening Israeli Occupation in âHouse of Hopeâ
Marjolein Busstraâs film is an intimate story about a couple who run a small alternative school in Palestine. As teachers and parents, they struggle to maintain their resolve in the aftermath of Oct.
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/west-bank-school-struggles-under-tightening-israeli-occupation-in-house-of-hope/
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Powerful story on the health impacts of Canada's mining boom by
@ghadaa.bsky.social
Miners face elevated risks of cancer and chronic illness from exposure to carcinogens like diesel exhaust and silica dust. Those harms will likely deepen as the industry grows.
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After 41 years in Ontario's mines, he got a terminal cancer diagnosis. What new data reveals about the tragic costs of the province's mining boom
As Canada moves to fast-track mineral extraction projects across the country, observers warn the push is outpacing worker protections.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/41-years-in-the-mines-terminal-cancer-and-a-hard-choice-to-keep-working-what-his-story-and-new-data-reveal-about-the-costs-of-ontarios-mining-boom/article_85fcbcf5-e445-4a7b-a623-48e6c4c2d201.html
19 days ago
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Reviewed 'House of Hope,' a quietly devastating documentary about a Palestinian couple who struggle to run a progressive school for young children in the West Bank in the aftermath of Oct. 7. The film made its international debut at Hot Docs last night.
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West Bank School Struggles Under Tightening Israeli Occupation in âHouse of Hopeâ
Marjolein Busstraâs film is an intimate story about a couple who run a small alternative school in Palestine. As teachers and parents, they struggle to maintain their resolve in the aftermath of Oct.
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/west-bank-school-struggles-under-tightening-israeli-occupation-in-house-of-hope/
20 days ago
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The Grind
22 days ago
New polling shows that Doug Ford's PCs have fallen from the top spot for the first time in half a decade. Could it have something to do with their many, many flops? Revisit our illustrated map from last election for some of Ford's greatest hits.
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Fordâs Biggest Flops
Premier Doug Ford is no stranger to scandal and financial mismanagement. After seven years, it can be hard to keep track of all the instances. So weâve put together an incomplete tour of the premierâs...
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/fords-biggest-flops/
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'Myspace' is less a documentary than a vehicle for cringey millennial nostalgia. My review of the excruciatingly boring new film, which premiered at Hot Docs last night, for
@thegrindto.bsky.social
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âMyspaceâ Doc Is A Boring and Cringey Attempt to Capitalize on Millennial Nostalgia
The film traces the rise and fall of one of the first social media platforms, but has next to nothing to say about what it was like to be a typical Myspace user, or about the powerful forces thatâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/myspace-doc-is-a-boring-and-cringey-attempt-to-capitalize-on-millennial-nostalgia/
23 days ago
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Jake Landau (He/Him) đ¨đŚđľđ¸đťđŞđşđŚ
24 days ago
NEW PODCAST: Freelance writer
@rdassaly.bsky.social
joins the program to discuss his recent piece for The Grind, covering Toronto Police surveillance of Palestinian cultural events in the city. Tune in!
www.jakelandau.ca/p/episode-52...
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Episode 52 - Apr 26, 2026 - Richie Assaly
Toronto Police surveillance of pro-Palestine organizers
https://www.jakelandau.ca/p/episode-52-apr-26-2026-richie-assaly
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The Grind
24 days ago
'Code of Misconduct,' which premiered at Hot Docs Festival on yesterday, explores how male sports culture, if left to its current form, breeds toxicity and psychopathy, writes journalist Olivia Bowden. Read the full review:
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âCode of Misconductâ is a Disturbing Look at the Psychology Behind Hockeyâs Toxic Culture
The new documentary explores how hockey culture in Canada fosters a dangerous herd mentality among young male athletes. The film premiered at this yearâs Hot Docs FestivalâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/code-of-misconduct-offers-a-disturbing-look-at-the-psychology-behind-hockeys-toxic-culture/
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Still buzzing from The Grindâs blowout birthday bash last night. Incredible show of support from the community, and amazing performances from Charlotte Cornfield, Austra and Witch Prophet. Support indie media!
@thegrindto.bsky.social
(Photos by Joshua Best)
26 days ago
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Eric Veillette
27 days ago
I tend to write about police & agents of the state disrupting film screenings in the past tense. This story by
@rdassaly.bsky.social
re: police presence at a recent Lightbox screening of PALESTINE 36 is beyond disturbing.
www.thegrindmag.ca/cops-keep-sh...
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Cops keep showing up to arts events about Palestine. What can organizers do?
Toronto police showed up at a comedy fundraiser and at a film screening on the same night in April. Organizers describe how this fits into a broader pattern and what can be done to protect communityâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/cops-keep-showing-up-to-arts-events-about-palestine-what-can-organizers-do/
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Eric Wickham
27 days ago
Hot take: I think there should be term limits for bands
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Reviewed the new Foo Fighters album for
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
. Not for me, Dave!
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Foo Fighters' 'Your Favorite Toy' Is the Antithesis of a Headphones Album â Exclaim!
Your daily dose of the best music, film and comedy news, reviews, streams, concert listings, interviews and other exclusives on Exclaim!
https://exclaim.ca/music/article/foo-fighters-your-favorite-toy-album-review?&utm_source=TwitterEDC&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=EDCTwitter
27 days ago
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The Grind
27 days ago
The Grind's 3-year anniversary bash is tonight! Online tickets are almost sold out, but we'll have some available at the door. We're going late, but arrive by 8 p.m. to see performances by Witch Prophet, Austra and a special guest.
www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-grinds...
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"A War on Women," a new documentary about the history of the feminist resistance in Iran, debuts at Hot Docs Festival this Sunday. I spoke to
@smohyeddin.bsky.social
, who co-wrote the film, about the evolution of the movement and how it's been co-opted in the West.
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âA War on Womenâ is an inspiring film about Iranâs evolving feminist movement
The Grind spoke with co-writer of the new documentary, Samira Mohyeddin, about viewing the film in the context of the U.S. and Israelâs war on Iran, and how the womenâs movement has been co-opted inâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/a-war-on-women-is-an-inspiring-film-about-irans-evolving-feminist-movement/
28 days ago
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Robyn Maynard
about 1 month ago
Toronto: What weâre seeing now is that (police) are not even distinguishing between protests, academic events or cultural events. Any time there are Palestinians speaking about Palestine, they are viewed as potentially anti-semitic or promoting violence.â
www.thegrindmag.ca/cops-keep-sh...
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Cops keep showing up to arts events about Palestine. What can organizers do?
Toronto police showed up at a comedy fundraiser and at a film screening on the same night in April. Organizers describe how this fits into a broader pattern and what can be done to protect communityâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/cops-keep-showing-up-to-arts-events-about-palestine-what-can-organizers-do/
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Eric Wickham
about 1 month ago
ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN FOLKS
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Itâs time
about 1 month ago
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On April 4, TPS entered the lobby of Comedy Bar moments before the start of a fundraising event for Gaza. That same night, cops entered a theatre at TIFF Lightbox midway through a screening of 'Palestine 36.' I dug into this concerning trend for
@thegrindto.bsky.social
.
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Cops keep showing up to arts events about Palestine. What can organizers do?
Toronto police showed up at a comedy fundraiser and at a film screening on the same night in April. Organizers describe how this fits into a broader pattern and what can be done to protect communityâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/cops-keep-showing-up-to-arts-events-about-palestine-what-can-organizers-do/
about 1 month ago
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James Poniewozik
about 1 month ago
the penne opticon
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Growing rally (and lots of honking) outside of The Crossways following the founding convention of the
@tenantsunionto.bsky.social
â the first city-wide union aimed at building collective tenant power. Protesters calling out bad landlords, pest problems and above guideline rent increases.
about 1 month ago
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evy kwong
about 1 month ago
raptors in 6 delusional run starts now yall
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London Review of Books
about 1 month ago
âReconstruction plans imposed on Palestinians with the implicit aim of destroying Palestinian life in Gaza demonstrate the reason Lemkin reserved a place for architecture in his conception of the crime of genocide.â Eyal Weizman on the destruction of Gaza.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
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Eyal Weizman ¡ All they will find is sand: Gazaâs Yellow Line
Most of the Gaza Strip â cities, refugee camps, schools, universities, mosques, the health infrastructure, agriculture...
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n07/eyal-weizman/all-they-will-find-is-sand
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The Grind
about 1 month ago
Heads up! We've got limited space for The Grind's April 24 Anniversary Party, and tickets are going fast. Don't wait! Full lineup and details here:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-grinds...
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Florence Ashley
about 1 month ago
Two students and a professor are suing the University of Alberta for violently dismantling the peaceful pro-Palestine encampment in May 2024. Back when it happened, a number of law professorsâincluding myselfâsigned an open letter objecting to police brutalizing our students over protected speech.
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UAlberta Charter Challenge - Statement of Claim
CONTACT: Any questions or requests for comment can be addressed to the plaintiffs' co-council Mustafa Farooq at
[email protected]
.
https://sites.google.com/view/ualberta-charter-challenge/statement-of-claim
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Didnât even land on it smh
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about 1 month ago
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Michael DeForge
about 1 month ago
The boycott of the Giller Prize is over, as all three demands have successfully been met Reporting from
@rdassaly.bsky.social
for
@thegrindto.bsky.social
here:
www.thegrindmag.ca/organizers-e...
Campaign statement here:
www.canlitresponds.ca/boycott-succ...
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NEW: The Giller Prize boycott has ended. The embattled literary prize confirmed that it is no longer sponsored by groups with ties to Israeli occupation and genocide. I spoke to previous Giller winners and nominees about the news for
@thegrindto.bsky.social
.
www.thegrindmag.ca/organizers-e...
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Organizers End Giller Prize Boycott, Say Demands Have Been Met
The embattled literary organization is no longer sponsored by Scotiabank, Indigo or the Azrieli Foundation, organizers confirmed. The Grind spoke to several authors about what this means for theâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/organizers-end-giller-prize-boycott-say-demands-have-been-met/
about 1 month ago
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Sam Adler-Bell
about 1 month ago
I profiled
@mollycrabapple.bsky.social
for
@us.theguardian.com
. We discuss her timely new book, "Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund."
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
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âFor leftist Jews, the Bund is a modelâ: the radical history behind one of Europeâs biggest socialist movements
A new book by Molly Crabapple documents the rise and fall of a revolutionary Jewish party that fought against Zionism and for âsolidarity across differenceâ
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/07/molly-crabapple-new-book-jewish-socialism
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The Grind
about 1 month ago
What happens when you combine classical live music with an exhibition of vibrant modern paintings? This Sunday, Paula Arciniega and the Hannaford Street Silver Band will debut âPictures at an Exhibition,â an audio-visual experience like no other.
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This Immersive Toronto Experience Will Upend What You Think of Classical Music
âPictures at an Exhibitionâ combines the musical performance of an iconic Mussorgsky suite with original paintings by artist Paula ArciniegaâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/this-immersive-toronto-experience-will-upend-what-you-think-of-classical-music/
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Had a blast at the David Byrne show!
about 2 months ago
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Chatted with Yann Martel about pet birds, the Da Vinci Code and the Trojan War. The Canadian author's first novel in a decade came out last week.
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Yann Martel on his new novel, living with âLife of Piâ money and why publishers might hate his next book
'Son of Nobody,' the author's latest work, is an epic tale of war and family.
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/yann-martel-on-his-new-novel-living-with-life-of-pi-money-and-why-his-publishers-may-hate-his-next-book/article_ea359d32-5254-4803-bdd3-3f215bff1d55.html
about 2 months ago
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The Grind
about 2 months ago
Grace Glowickiâs outrageous, campy new horror film Dead Lover is now playing in Toronto theatres. Itâs at Revue Cinema April 3-9 and at The Fox on April 11 & 12. Select screenings are in Stink-O-Vision and with filmmaker Q&As.
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Grace Glowicki Brings New Life to Indie Horror
With her latest film, âDead Lover,â and a lead role in âHoney Bunch,â the Toronto artistâs messy and outrageous approach to filmmaking is turning heads around the worldâŚ
https://www.thegrindmag.ca/grace-glowicki-brings-new-life-to-indie-horror/
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