Ninth Floor

"Ninth Floor" is a compelling 2015 Canadian documentary directed by Mina Shum. The film features brave performances from a talented ensemble cast, including actor Mackenzie Gray who is widely recognized for his versatile roles in the cinema industry. However, rather than a traditional narrative film, "Ninth Floor" is a distinctively insightful dive into a pivotal moment in Canadian history - the infamous Sir George Williams University protest in 1969.

The film opens with modern-day footage of the Sir George Williams University complex in Montreal, but it does not linger in the present for long. With the help of old photos, archival footage, and vivid narrations, the story quickly travels back in time to the late 1960s, a period rife with civil unrest and the struggle for racial equality on a global level.

The documentary unfolds the events that transpired leading up to what became one of the most significant student uprisings in Canadian history. It all began when six Caribbean students accused their biology professor of racial bias in his grading system. The students' initial plea for a transparent investigation turned into something much more significant when the university failed to satisfactorily address their concerns. What followed was a two-week-long occupation of the university's 9th-floor computer center by approximately 200 students. The protest eventually descended into chaos, resulting in extensive property damage and the arrest of 97 people, a moment forever remembered in Canadian civil rights history.

"Ninth Floor" uses interviews and firsthand perspectives from the participants involved to delve into the nuances and complexities of this tumultuous event. Director Mina Shum particularly excels with her thoughtful presentation of the personal experiences of those who took part in or were affected by the protest. The interviews, featuring protestors, university authorities, and onlookers, form the heart of the documentary, shedding light on the real-life characters and emotional stories that marked this incident.

With Mackenzie Gray onboard, the cast gives a compelling recounting of the protestors' perspective, their frustration at the lack of accountability, and their growing desperation as the peaceful protest spiralled out of control. The film doesn't shy away from the gritty realities of this historical event. Instead, it points a critical lens at the prejudices and the systemic racism that patiently endured beneath the surface of a seemingly tolerant society.

In terms of visuals, the film is alternately stark and lush, with the grainy archival footage offering a grim contrast to the modern shots. Yet, the production manages to balance the stark with the beautiful, using Jespers Willems' cinematography to capture artful scenes of the modern city that add a touch of poetic tranquillity to the overall grim narrative.

Another standout feature of "Ninth Floor" is its evocative sound design. The soundtrack combines the raw, haunting noise of the protests with the cadence of personal narratives and periods of silence that allow the gravity of the events to sink in.

Overall, "Ninth Floor" is a thought-provoking exploration of a critical chapter in the fight against racial inequality in Canada. It is a poignant reflection on the cost of systemic racism and the lengths to which marginalized communities must go to demand justice and equal rights. Shum's directorial prowess shines through in the storytelling, merging past and present, sound and visuals, to create a complex narrative that is both emotionally striking and historically significant.

The film is a critical viewing for anyone interested in understanding the ongoing conversation about racism and protest. It not only tells a historical story but also exposes raw, timeless realities concerning race relations and social justice challenges. "Ninth Floor" is a testament to the power of documentary storytelling, shedding light on historical events that have long-lasting societal implications.