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The Grind

@thegrindto.bsky.social
798 followers 241 following 430 posts

Toronto's current affairs & culture print mag. FREE in 30 TTC subway stations, and 300 other GTA locations. thegrindmag.ca info[at]thegrindmag[dot]ca

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Avi Engel @aviengel.com · 08/10/2026
Seedhead reviewed in @thegrindto.bsky.social by @therewasnosound.bsky.social of @newfeelingcoop.bsky.social
Avi holding a copy of The Grind, a Toronto current affairs and culture print magazineReview of Avi Engel's "Seedhead," written by Michael Rancic: 
"It feels fitting to write about this record from Toronto-based songwriter Avi Engel in the wake of a devastating storm that flooded the city this September. In the aftermath of seeing massive trees lying broken at their trunks, the DVP submerged beneath muddy water, and rushing tides seeping into city buses, themes of ecological crisis and grief feel especially top of mind. Set to spare, gothic folk arrangements, Engel mourns a world with “frostbitten leaves” and riddled with “rifles and bones.” With “Seedhead,” Engel gives voice to these anxieties, and the feeling of watching our familiar world transform into something unstable and increasingly unrecognizable." — Michael Rancic
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The Grind's fall reading list includes titles from Patrick DeWitt, @nylam.bsky.social, Ericka Hart, Sallie Fullerton and more. Check out our latest fiction and non-fiction recommendations here:
thegrindmag.ca
Fall Reading List
Current and former Grind editors Richie Assaly and Phillip Dwight Morgan curate a selection of mostly Canadian fiction and non-fiction books…
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Nyla Matuk @nylam.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Leila and Khaled is on the Fall Reading List at @thegrindto.bsky.social www.thegrindmag.ca/fall-reading...
thegrindmag.ca
Fall Reading List
Current and former Grind editors Richie Assaly and Phillip Dwight Morgan curate a selection of mostly Canadian fiction and non-fiction books…
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Reposted by The Grind
The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Incumbent mayor Olivia Chow isn't just trying to hold her seat this election, she's also trying to secure a strong majority on council. Who is Chow hoping gets elected, who not, and what does she want to accomplish? @dgrdon.bsky.social gets into it.
thegrindmag.ca
Chow Wants a Majority. But for What?
Mayor Olivia Chow is hoping voters will elect a dependable majority of city councillors who will vote with her if she secures a second term. Who’s in that group, and what does she want to accomplish?
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
There was a mix-up on the map with wards 6 and 7 mislabeled. It has been fixed now.
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
An OPP investigation, a councillor in office since 1988, a code of conduct violation, a last-minute drop-out and two big-name entries at the deadline. In our new issue, we detail seven of Toronto's wildest races for city council seats.
thegrindmag.ca
Seven Wild Ward Races to Watch this Election
Across Toronto, voters will elect their local councillors on Oct. 26. We picked a few of the most dramatic races to profile…
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Anne Burbidge @anneburbidge.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Great city election coverage in free paper @thegrindto.bsky.social Advance voting this weekend to beat line ups on the day. #TOpoli
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Incumbent mayor Olivia Chow isn't just trying to hold her seat this election, she's also trying to secure a strong majority on council. Who is Chow hoping gets elected, who not, and what does she want to accomplish? @dgrdon.bsky.social gets into it.
thegrindmag.ca
Chow Wants a Majority. But for What?
Mayor Olivia Chow is hoping voters will elect a dependable majority of city councillors who will vote with her if she secures a second term. Who’s in that group, and what does she want to accomplish?
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Reposted by The Grind
Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
We’ve got a great food and drink guide to Toronto’s Little Manila in the new issue of @thegrindto.bsky.social Comes with a handy map, too! www.thegrindmag.ca/5-essential-...
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Lechon! Ensaymada! A kamayan feast! Eat and drink your way through Little Manila, Toronto’s hub for Filipino food and culture, with our handy new guide from writer and food tour guide Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio.
thegrindmag.ca
5 Essential Food Stops in Toronto’s Little Manila
Eat and drink your way through Toronto’s hub for Filipino food and culture at Bathurst and Wilson…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Lee Suksi's latest horoscopes are now up!
thegrindmag.ca
Horoscopes for October 2026
Astrological readings for the month…
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Dave Gray-Donald @dgrdon.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Wow, there's a giant NDA (non-disclosure agreement) up as a Nuit Blanche art installation calling out the silencing of curators and artists who've spoken critically of Israel. It's in the alley off Spadina south of Richmond leading to Cinecycle. By No Arms in the Arts.
Photo of a 10-foot high non-disclosure agreement in an alley in Toronto with fog and people in the foreground. The contract says "NDA" and "I will not talk about getting fired for criticizing Israel"
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Looking for some new tunes this weekend? Here's what the good folks at @newfeelingcoop.bsky.social are spinning, including new music from Sook-Yin Lee, Allyson Blush, Heraclitus Akimbo and more.
thegrindmag.ca
What We’re Listening To
Our pals at the New Feeling music writers’ co-op share what they have on repeat…
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Killbeat @killbeat.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Charlottetown trio taps into the familiar melodic sounds of East Coast icons like Super Friendz and Thrush Hermit. ... strikes a whimsical sweet spot between lilting slacker rock and buoyant power pop. @thegrindto.bsky.social spins Gizmo's 'All Your Worships' www.thegrindmag.ca/what-were-li...
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Looking to fill up your calendar this fall? Check our latest event listings online, and in our newest print issue, arriving in your neighbourhood soon. The best of movies, music, books, visual arts and more:
thegrindmag.ca
Fall 2026 Event Listings
Toronto event listings from October to early December…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Aside from the section of Bloor in Etobicoke which could be changed any time now, bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University being targeted by the province likely won't see changes until spring 2027 at the earliest, if not significantly later.
thegrindmag.ca
Major Bike Lane Changes Could Start by Spring
Advocates say that, aside from a short section in Etobicoke, the earliest that bike lane removals or changes could start is spring 2027…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For three decades, Canada has voted against the United States’ embargo on Cuba at the annual UN General Assembly vote held in October. The U.S. is now applying economic pressure to prevent that from happening again this year.
thegrindmag.ca
U.S. Pressuring Canada to Vote Against Cuba at UN
For three decades, Canada has voted against the United States’ embargo on Cuba at the annual United Nations General Assembly vote held in October. The U.S. is now applying economic pressure to prevent...
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Toronto Palestine Film Festival kicks off today! Writer Suvendrini Lena got a sneak peek at some of the homegrown short films screening at this year's event.
thegrindmag.ca
Short Films from the Gut: Toronto Palestine Film Festival Preview
The Grind has a sneak peek at the homegrown shorts premiering on Oct. 1 at p.m. at the TIFF Lightbox. TPFF runs until Oct. 4 and films can be viewed online until Oct.
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“Reconciliation prompted us to relinquish negative feelings over the past, but many, including myself, were not willing to do that. Because we have not severed from the past. The past endures,” says Billy-Ray Belcourt in an interview about his latest book.
thegrindmag.ca
Billy-Ray Belcourt’s Poems Insist on Indigenous Freedom
In his first poetry collection since 2019, the acclaimed author from Driftpile Cree Nation challenges readers to imagine new political possibilities…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Toronto Palestine Film Festival kicks off today! Writer Suvendrini Lena got a sneak peek at some of the homegrown short films screening at this year's event.
thegrindmag.ca
Short Films from the Gut: Toronto Palestine Film Festival Preview
The Grind has a sneak peek at the homegrown shorts premiering on Oct. 1 at p.m. at the TIFF Lightbox. TPFF runs until Oct. 4 and films can be viewed online until Oct.
0125
The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For three decades, Canada has voted against the United States’ embargo on Cuba at the annual UN General Assembly vote held in October. The U.S. is now applying economic pressure to prevent that from happening again this year.
thegrindmag.ca
U.S. Pressuring Canada to Vote Against Cuba at UN
For three decades, Canada has voted against the United States’ embargo on Cuba at the annual United Nations General Assembly vote held in October. The U.S. is now applying economic pressure to prevent...
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
RentSafeTO was introduced in 2017 to make sure rental units were safe and well maintained, but the program hasn't always lived up to its promises. Ahead of the election, Olivia Bowden into the leading mayoral candidates' records and proposals.
thegrindmag.ca
Is RentSafeTO Working, and What Are the Mayoral Candidates Proposing to Help Tenants?
Initially introduced in 2017 to make sure rental units were safe and well maintained, RentSafeTO hasn’t always lived up to its promise. Ahead of the election, Olivia Bowden looks into the mayoral…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple" is now streaming on CBC. Longtime Rush superfan @christostsirbas.bsky.social penned a heartfelt essay on his musical heroes, and what their reunion means to him.
thegrindmag.ca
Ending My Summer of Rush with a Wake I Didn’t Know I Needed
Film critic and Rush superfan Christos Tsirbas sifts through his memories of the legendary Canadian band, prompted by the arrival of the new documentary, ‘Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple.
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"Spring Awakening," written in 1891, has been censored and celebrated at times for its themes of puberty, sex, homosexuality, death and abuse. Paolo Santalucia’s adaptation, on at Soulpepper until Oct. 18, is a bold success.
thegrindmag.ca
‘Spring Awakening’ Shines to Open Soulpepper’s Season
The play, written in 1891, has been censored and celebrated at times for its themes of puberty, sex, homosexuality, death and abuse. Paolo Santalucia’s adaptation, on at Soulpepper until Oct. 18…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Last night at the Polaris Prize Gala, Angine de Poitrine took home both the album prize and the song prize! We sat down with their manager to discuss the secretive Quebecois duo's meteoric rise. By @rdassaly.bsky.social.
thegrindmag.ca
Polaris Prize Spotlight: All Hail Angine de Poitrine, Alien Overlords of Quebecois Rock
The polka-dot clad experimental rock duo from Saguenay, Quebec, went viral this spring following the release of their Polaris-nominated album ‘Vol. II.’ Now, they’re taking over the world…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
'All That She Wants' is a rote painting of a woman who wants to have a baby, and who relies on a man for her growth, writes @alishamgl.bsky.social Read our full #TIFF26 review:
thegrindmag.ca
‘All That She Wants’ Is an Anti-feminist Drag
The rom-com stars Annie Murphy as a woman in her mid-thirties as she journeys, mindlessly…
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Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The @polarismusicprize.bsky.social is tomorrow! For the final instalment of @thegrindto.bsky.social's spotlight series, I spoke to Elizabeth Copeland about 'Laughter in Summer,' the remarkable album she recorded alongside her husband Beverly-Glenn Copeland shortly after his dementia diagnosis.
thegrindmag.ca
Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s ‘Laughter in Summer’ Is a Work of Aching Beauty
The album by the 82-year-old artist is a career-spanning collaboration with his wife Elizabeth Copeland. We caught up with Elizabeth ahead of the Polaris Music Prize ceremony…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"It’s My Time" is a big-hearted “sports” movie set in the hyperkinetic world of speed cubing. Inspired by a true story, this heartwarming film is anchored by a charming performance by Michelle Yeoh. Our #TIFF26 review: www.thegrindmag.ca/michelle-yeo...
thegrindmag.ca
Michelle Yeoh Charms as a Speed-cubing Elder in Bai Xue’s ‘It’s My Time’
It’s all in the fingers in this new twist on the classic sports movie…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Serville Poblete’s "Sunburn" takes home the #TIFF26 Best Canadian Feature Film Award. Here's our review, by @vernonayiku.bsky.social
thegrindmag.ca
‘Sunburn’ Paints a Charming, but Limited Portrait of St. James Town
Set in Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhood, Serville Poblete’s coming-of-age film made its world premiere at TIFF…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This year’s RUTAS Festival brings powerful and interactive theatre performances to Toronto, including several in Spanish. Playwright Suvendrini Lena shares her preview of the festival, happening Sept. 24 to Oct. 4.
thegrindmag.ca
RUTAS Festival to Bring Transformative Theatre from Across the Americas
This year’s RUTAS International Festival of Performance brings powerful and interactive theatre performances to Toronto, including several productions in Spanish. Playwright Suvendrini Lena shares her...
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
In Ian Bawa's 'Strong Son,' a bodybuilder returns home to Winnipeg to care for his elderly immigrant father. A portrait of intergenerational grief, it's a film worth checking out, writes @vernonayiku.bsky.social #TIFF26
thegrindmag.ca
In ‘Strong Son,’ Bodybuilder Returns to Winnipeg to Confront Intergenerational Grief
In Ian Bawa’s new film, a bodybuilder struggles to find balance as he cares for his aging immigrant father while dealing with his own mental health…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"How We Stand" filters its storytelling through a whiteness so pre-programmed that its own characters begin to flatten into caricatures, writes @noelransome.bsky.social #TIFF26
thegrindmag.ca
‘How We Stand’ Flattens a Painful History into Familiar Lessons
Marie Clements’ drama follows three Indigenous sisters who are separated and placed in foster care. Its blunt treatment of several issues leaves little room for complexity…
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Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I spoke to Angine de Poitrine's manager about how the band is navigating their explosive success. Final stretch in our Polaris Music Prize spotlight series for The Grind. @polarismusicprize.bsky.social
thegrindmag.ca
Polaris Prize Spotlight: All Hail Angine de Poitrine, Alien Overlords of Quebecois Rock
The polka-dot clad experimental rock duo from Saguenay, Quebec, went viral this spring following the release of their Polaris-nominated album ‘Vol. II.’ Now, they’re taking over the world…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
John Turturro shines as Harry, an aging, world-weary petty criminal in ‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.’ Our #TIFF26 review:
thegrindmag.ca
John Turturro Brings World-Weary Brilliance to ‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York’
This low-key crime thriller is a satisfying snapshot of a rapidly changing New York City…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Oscar-winner Ryusuke Hamaguchi is back with a luminous story set in an French elder-care home. The the stellar leads riff on philosophy and politics, digging into how capitalism exhausts workers and lowers care standards.
thegrindmag.ca
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ‘All of a Sudden’ Tenderly Explores Friendship and Care During Late-stage Capitalism
The winner of the 2022 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film is back with a luminous story in an French elder-care home…
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Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Some thoughts about 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem,' which is truly a miracle of a film. For @thegrindto.bsky.social.
thegrindmag.ca
Brimming with Wisdom, ‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem’ Surfaces Unseen Footage from Giants of the Harlem Renaissance
A posthumous documentary by William Greaves, brought to life by his son and granddaughter, transports viewers into a spirited 1972 cocktail party attended by dozens of key figures from the Harlem…
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Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Next up in our Polaris Music Prize roundup, a conversation with Rochelle Jordan, whose album's "Through The Mirror" is a seamless blend of vintage and contemporary dance music. @polarismusicprize.bsky.social
thegrindmag.ca
Polaris Prize Spotlight: Rochelle Jordan Projects Memories Into the Future on ‘Through the Wall’
The singer’s Polaris-nominated album is a seamless blend of vintage and contemporary electronic styles…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Starring Christopher Walken and Toronto's Ella Ballentine, "Back In Black" is an unexpectedly warm satire about a struggling funeral home. Here's @vernonayiku.bsky.social's review of the Canadian film by Ron Murphy.
thegrindmag.ca
‘Back In Black’: An Unexpectedly Warm Dark Comedy About Struggling Funeral Home
The Canadian film stars Christopher Walken and Toronto actor Ella Ballentine…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Toronto police built up permanent surveillance infrastructure for a threat that never came. Its centrepiece is a counter-drone system that may be linked to an Israel Defense Forces’ intelligence unit. The latest Cops and the City column by @aliyapabani.bsky.social.
thegrindmag.ca
FIFA Fake Out
Toronto police used the spectre of terrorism to quietly build up permanent surveillance infrastructure for a threat that never came. Its centrepiece is a counter-drone system that may be linked to the...
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Written following the birth of her first child, Charlotte Cornfield's 'Hurts Like Hell' cements her place in the esteemed pantheon of Canadian folk-rock songwriters. The Toronto artist up for the @polarismusicprize.bsky.social next week.
thegrindmag.ca
Polaris Prize Spotlight: Charlotte Cornfield Basks in the Ragged Glory of Grown-up Love
‘Hurts Like Hell’ is the Toronto songwriter’s twangiest and most emotionally absorbing record to date…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"Turtle Island Rap" tells the story of three Indigenous artists navigating different stages of their music careers. But the doc also probes a messier, more compelling question: What does it actually mean to “make it”? 🖊️ @vernonayiku.bsky.social
thegrindmag.ca
‘Turtle Island Rap’ Is an Inspiring Portrait of Hip Hop Underdogs
The new documentary by Cree filmmaker Alexandra Lazarowich asks what it means to actually “make it” in the music industry…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Thirty years into their career, the Toronto downtempo veterans of LAL enter an expansive new era with their ninth studio album, which they’ll debut at Venus Fest this Friday, Sept. 18.
thegrindmag.ca
LAL Find Harmony in the Wake of Romantic Dissolution on ‘Practice of Love’
Thirty years into their career, the Toronto downtempo veterans enter an expansive new era with their ninth studio album, which they’ll debut at Venus Fest on Sept.
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Killbeat @killbeat.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Charlotte Cornfield Basks in the Ragged Glory of Grown-up Love www.thegrindmag.ca/polaris-priz... | via @thegrindto.bsky.social
thegrindmag.ca
Polaris Prize Spotlight: Charlotte Cornfield Basks in the Ragged Glory of Grown-up Love
‘Hurts Like Hell’ is the Toronto songwriter’s twangiest and most emotionally absorbing record to date…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Toronto police built up permanent surveillance infrastructure for a threat that never came. Its centrepiece is a counter-drone system that may be linked to an Israel Defense Forces’ intelligence unit. The latest Cops and the City column by @aliyapabani.bsky.social.
thegrindmag.ca
FIFA Fake Out
Toronto police used the spectre of terrorism to quietly build up permanent surveillance infrastructure for a threat that never came. Its centrepiece is a counter-drone system that may be linked to the...
02014
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Noel Ransome @noelransome.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
For @thegrindto.bsky.social I spoke with Hosam Abu Dan from Gaza about Thirteen in Gaza. And there's something so special about loving film enough to make one where so little makes it easy. This is the kind of film that buyers often leave behind unfortunately www.thegrindmag.ca/thirteen-in-...
thegrindmag.ca
‘Thirteen in Gaza’ Shows How War Rearranges Ordinary Life
Palestinian filmmaker Hosam Abu Dan managed to make a scripted feature film shot entirely in Gaza during the genocide, working entirely with local actors. He tells The Grind he wanted to capture “the…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
'Thirteen in Gaza' was shot entirely in Gaza during the genocide. @noelransome.bsky.social spoke to filmmaker Hosam Abu Dan about the drama, and his attempt to capture “the small details” lost beneath images of war and destruction. #TIFF26
thegrindmag.ca
‘Thirteen in Gaza’ Shows How War Rearranges Ordinary Life
Palestinian filmmaker Hosam Abu Dan managed to make a scripted feature film shot entirely in Gaza during the genocide, working entirely with local actors. He tells The Grind he wanted to capture “the…
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Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Had a quick catch up with @charlottecornfield.bsky.social ahead of the Polaris Prize to discuss "Hurts Like Hell," one of my favourite albums of the year. @polarismusicprize.bsky.social
thegrindmag.ca
Polaris Prize Spotlight: Charlotte Cornfield Basks in the Ragged Glory of Grown-up Love
‘Hurts Like Hell’ is the Toronto songwriter’s twangiest and most emotionally absorbing record to date…
032
Reposted by The Grind
The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Will selling off Canadian infrastructure like airports and offering big subsidies for AI data centres, pipelines and weapons manufacturing really help working people in Canada? A coalition is coming together to ring the alarm on Carney's investment summit.
thegrindmag.ca
Carney’s Investment Summit “Isn’t Nation-building, This Is Country-selling,” Critics Say
As Carney welcomes the world’s wealthiest, civil society organizations are rallying against the sell-off of Canada’s assets…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Will selling off Canadian infrastructure like airports and offering big subsidies for AI data centres, pipelines and weapons manufacturing really help working people in Canada? A coalition is coming together to ring the alarm on Carney's investment summit.
thegrindmag.ca
Carney’s Investment Summit “Isn’t Nation-building, This Is Country-selling,” Critics Say
As Carney welcomes the world’s wealthiest, civil society organizations are rallying against the sell-off of Canada’s assets…
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The Grind @thegrindto.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Toronto filmmaker Serville Poblete knows how to make St. James Town feel like home, but 'SUNBURN' fails to show us what it might mean to stay, leave or grow beyond it, writes @vernonayiku.bsky.social. #TIFF26
thegrindmag.ca
Review: ‘Sunburn’ Paints a Charming, but Limited Portrait of St. James Town
Set in Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhood, Serville Poblete’s coming-of-age film made its world premiere at TIFF…
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