Cultural Mining

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

Photos of Andrea Werhun and Nicole Bazuin by Jeff Harris

Maryanne is a university English student who has found limited success as a barrista.  So she tries a new profession, one that requires guts, skills and fast-thinking but little advance training. Her career takes off, she earns excellent money, and is highly regarded within her profession. But Maryanne is a pseudonym and none of her classmates, friends and relatives realize she’s a sex worker.

Modern Whore is a personal, provocative film that pulls open the curtains and overturns the misconceptions and stereotypes of sex work. Part biopic, part documentary, and part political manifesto, its a beautiful and hilarious stylized film. It’s written by and stars Andrea Werhun as herself in various roles, adapted from her own book. She’s a Toronto-based writer, performer, and producer, who had a featured role in last year’s Paying for It. The film is directed and co-created by Toronto-based award-winning filmmaker, artist and photographer Nicole Bazuiun, who directed This Art Works! for CBC and Climate Talks With Kids for The Image Centre.

I spoke to Andrea and Nicole in person, at TIFF.

Modern Whore is now available on VOD, and at the following screenings: 

VANCOUVER
VanCity Theatre, April 11, 13, 16 & 17
In attendance April 11: Andrea Werhun and SJ Raphael
In attendance April 13: Andrea Werhun, SJ Raphael and Nicole Bazuin

OTTAWA
Mayfair Theatre, April 24
In attendance: Andrea Werhun
Also invited: Vixen Vu (TBC)

MONTRÉAL
Cinéma Amour, April 30
In attendance: Andrea Werhun and Nicole Bazuin

TORONTO
TIFF Lightbox, May 14
In attendance: Andrea Werhun, Nicole Bazuin and producer Lauren Grant

HAMILTON
The Westdale, May 19
In attendance: Andrea Werhun and Nicole Bazuin

TORONTO
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, May 22, 30.
In attendance: Andrea Werhun, Nicole Bazuin and Lauren Grant