Hi, this is Daniel Garber at the Movies for culturalmining.com and CIUT 89.5 FM.

Some people’s biggest fear is of a late-night call from a hospital that someone close to them —a child, a parent, a lover or a friend — has suddenly died in an unexpected accident, something you can’t predict. It’s devastating. But what if that death was by suicide? How do you deal with news like that? Why did they choose to do it? Was it somehow your own fault or something you could have prevented?  Well, a new film looks at survivors of suicide loss and the effect it has on their lives. 

The film’s called Love, Harold, and it’s a sympathetic and very moving look at how the aftermath of a suicide by talking with the friends, partner or family member of the ones who died.  This NFB film is written, and directed by renowned Toronto-based filmmaker Alan Zweig, whose deeply- personal and intimate documentaries look at people — including himself — facing crises, both major and mundane, in everyday life. His films have won numerous awards including the prestigious Platform prize at TIFF, a Genie and a Canadian Screen Award.

I’ve covered many of his docs and interviewed him at this station, including Fifteen Reasons to Live (2013). And I know Alan off mic, through work, mutual friends… and he used to be my next-door neighbour! Alan is also currently hosting a self-help podcast called TUBBY about weight issues.

I spoke with Alan in Toronto via ZOOM.

Love Harold is the centrepiece film at Rendezvous with Madness on October 24.

This film contains discussions of suicide, and the effects on survivors of suicide loss. If you need support services, please call your local Distress Centre. If you need immediate help, please call or text 9-8-8.

You can listen to  Tubby on Left of Dial Media.