TORONTO, November 24, 2003 -- Due to an unforeseen scheduling problem, The Baroness and the Pig by veteran Montreal filmmaker and playwright Michael Mackenzie will not be screened at York University on November 27.

Instead "The Independents" series spotlighting indie Canadian cinema will feature first-time documentary filmmaker Mike Johnston, who will present and discuss his wildly popular Michael Moore-style documentary My Student Loan (2002).

After graduating from Trent University, Mike Johnston found himself unemployed, debt-ridden and plagued by collection agencies. Four years in the making, his gritty documentary about his experience is a sardonic look at the "new economics" of higher education in Canada.

My Student Loan has a folksy, lower-than-low-budget feel ($16,000) that in the end makes audiences grin at the irony that is only offered in true life.

What are the critics saying?
John Doyle, The Globe and Mail: "A terrifically original, funny and biting documentary."

Documentary filmmaker and Hot Docs Festival programmer Lynne Fernie will host the presentation of My Student Loan, introducing Johnston and moderating the discussion after the screening.

When: Thursday, November 27 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Lecture Hall C, Computer Science & Engineering Building
            York University, 4700 Keele St.

Admission: Free

This event is presented by York University’s Department of Film & Video in cooperation with the Hot Docs Film Festival and the York Film & Video Student Association. For more information, call 416-736-5149, ext. 22174.

– 30 –

Media Contact:

Mary-Lou Schagena
Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
416-736-2100, ext. 20421
schagena@yorku.ca