Tim Southam Movies
- 2002
Canadian director Tim Southam directs this story of a young, rich idealist who tries to establish a commune in his hometown with tragic results. Michael Skid (Jonathan Scarfe) returns to his boyhood home in 1973 after a life-changing tour of the Indian subcontinent. Setting up his residence in an old rented farmstead, Michael begins to recruit people into forming a commune -- which is met with equal amounts of acceptance and hostility. Joining him on the farm are Michael's summer love interest, Madonna Brassaurd (Joanne Kelly), and her brother, Silver (Christopher Jacot), both of whom are attracted to the rich young man's charming personality as well as his access to a wealthy lifestyle that was previously inaccessible to them because of their impoverished upbringing. After some embarrassing experiences with some other members of the community, Michael takes in ex-convict Everette Hatch (Peter Outerbridge), who secretly plots to take advantage of Michael in order to get even with Michael's father, a judge who presided over Hatch's last trial. As Hatch sets his plan into action, Michael, Madonna, and Silver unwittingly aid the criminal well past the point of no return, with grave consequences resulting for the entire town. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Outerbridge, Jonathan Scarfe, (more)
A man who fails to respect the dead pays a high price for his arrogance in this horrifying thriller. For decades, the city of New York has buried the bodies of the unknown and the destitute on Hart Island, a tiny slip of land near the Big Apple's harbor, with inmates from a nearby prison on hand to do the labor. Now, multi-millionaire land developer Mr. King (Malcolm McDowell) has decided to buy the island and build a resort. King scoffs when he's told it's bad luck to disturb the resting place of the dead, but he soon learns there's a kernel of truth in their warnings -- Hart Island is also home to huge swarms of disease-carrying flies, and when King, his associates, and a crew of prisoners are trapped on the island, there's no telling if they'll make it out alive as the insects try to claim the humans as their prey. Island of the Dead also stars Bruce Ramsay, Talisa Soto, and hip-hop artist Mos Def. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Talisa Soto, Bruce Ramsay, (more)
- 1997
On man's obsession becomes a metaphor for life's unattainable mysteries in this elliptical documentary from filmmaker Tim Southam. Ever since Thunder Bay businessman Fred Broennle learned that a luxury yacht named the Gunilda had been quietly resting in the depths of Lake Superior since sinking on a cold evening in 1911, his obsession to raise it to the surface for inspection has gradually consumed his entire life. Though Broennle and experienced diving instructor Charles "King" Hauge did indeed attempt to explore the wreckage in 1970, Hauge ultimately died on the lake floor and Broennle nearly suffered the same fate after attempting to rescue his mentor. Later becoming one of the most wealthy businessmen in the area, Broennle's relentless, all-consuming desire to lay claim to the Gunilda eventually robbed him of both his fortune and his family. Despite all of the pain that his obsession has brought upon him, Broennle remains holds steadfast in his dedication to realizing his dream of raising the ship, even in the face of stark opposition from others who claim that the yacht is best left untouched. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred Broennle
