The Cinematheque

“A heart-warming argument in favour of striving to find happiness in life.”

Dave McGinn, Globe and Mail

Having weathered a lengthy episode of depression, Toronto author Ray Robertson was inspired to write a book that explored two of life’s most central and enduring questions: ​“What makes human beings happy?” and ​“What makes life worth living?” The resulting memoir, Why Not? 15 Reasons to Live, is Robertson’s enumeration of what brought him meaning and happiness: Love, Solitude, Critical Mind, Art, Individuality, Home, Work, Humour, Friendship, Intoxication, Praise, Meaning, The Body, Duty, and Death. A chance meeting between Robertson and acclaimed documentary maker Alan Zweig (Hurt, Hope, Coppers, and the 2021 VIFF selection Records, his eleventh feature doc) set the stage for a cinematic interpretation. Using the same chapter headings as Robertson, but introducing his own cast of unique characters, Zweig brings each reason to life with poignancy, grace, and compassion. Interspersed with these real-life stories are two personal tales of Zweig’s own, told with emotionally evocative animation. 

“The film truly prevails as a harrowing testament to human resilience. Just be prepared to bring the waterworks.” Jordan Smith, Ion Cinema

Post-screening discussion with Dr. Rene Weideman and (via Zoom) Alan Zweig.

Dr. Weideman is a registered psychologist in private practice and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC. His main area of practice is adult individual psychotherapy. 

Alan Zweig is a Toronto documentary filmmaker known for creating intimate portraits of a wide range of human subjects. His films have screened internationally and won top prizes at Hot Docs, TIFF, and the Canadian Screen Awards. 

Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.