Smile (2008)

As noted in my last post, the Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF) has announced its list of award-winning, minute-long, and 100-percent silent films for 2010. TUFF films, produced by new and established artists around the world, run in loops on the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC’s) platform-level information boards, operated by OneStop Media. The boards have no speakers, proving that silent film will—by god—live on. Sometimes we have no other choice.

With the recent winners on my mind, I decided I’d revisit a TUFF standout from the past. Smile, conceived and directed by Toronto-based photographer and blogger, Christos Tsirbas, won 1st place in TUFF’s 2008 competition. Now I have a few things to say about Smile, but first, have a look at this short interview I did with Christos earlier in the month. It’s always a treat to have my questions answered by the artist… hell, for me, it’s a treat when there’s somebody alive to ask.