"Leave it to John Walker to get down to the butt of the matter… there's much humour but also a few swift kicks to the derriere" - Toronto Star
"A quirky and unique documentary with its tongue firmly in cheek" - Cinema Axis
October 29, 2019 - Toronto - National Film Board of Canada
With venomous social media, resurgent authoritarianism and rampant narcissism threatening to trash civilization as we know it, the time has come for Assholes: A Theory (John Walker Productions/NFB in association with CBC documentary Channel), acclaimed director John Walker's latest feature doc, opening theatrically in cities across Canada beginning November 13.
Distributed by the NFB, the film will open first in Winnipeg, followed by theatrical dates in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. The director will be in attendance to take audience questions in Montreal (November 30) and Toronto (December 1).
Why do assholes thrive in certain environments? What explains their perverse appeal? And how do they keep getting elected!
Inspired by Aaron James' New York Times bestseller of the same name, Assholes: A Theory investigates the breeding grounds of contemporary "asshole culture" and locates signs of civility in an otherwise rude-'n-nasty universe. Venturing into predominantly male domain, Walker moves from Ivy League frat clubs to the bratty princedoms of Silicon Valley and bear pits of international finance.
Lively commentary is provided by the likes of comedy legend John Cleese, former RCMP officer Sherry Lee Benson-Podolchuk, and Italian LGBTQ activist Vladimir Luxuria, who famously locked horns with Silvio Berlusconi, the p***y-grabbing prototype of the 21st-century demagogue.
Honoured with a Focus On retrospective at the 2018 Hot Docs film festival, Walker is one of Canada's most distinguished documentary filmmakers. Assholes: A Theory is produced by John Walker and Ann Bernier for John Walker Productions Ltd. and by Annette Clarke for the NFB's Quebec and Atlantic Studio in Halifax.
National screening schedule
- Opens November 13:
Cinematheque, Winnipeg
- Opens November 15:
Plaza Theatre, Calgary
Metro Cinema, Edmonton, November 15 and 17 at 9:30
Rainbow Cinemas Golden Mile, Regina
Magic Lantern Roxy Theatre, Saskatoon
- Opens November 25:
Cinéma du Parc, Montreal - director in attendance on November 30 at 2:30 p.m.
- Presented in English and French-subtitled versions; check theatre listings
- Opens November 29:
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Toronto - director in attendance on December 1 at 9 p.m.
- Opens December 6
Imagine Cinemas, Ottawa
Imagine Cinema Carlton Cinema, Toronto
About the NFB
The NFB is Canada's public producer of award-winning creative documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences. NFB producers are embedded in communities across the country, from St. John's to Vancouver, working with talented creators on innovative and socially relevant projects. The NFB is a leader in gender equity in film and digital media production, and is working to strengthen Indigenous-led production, guided by the recommendations of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. NFB productions have won over 7,000 awards, including 24 Canadian Screen Awards, 21 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 100 Genies. To access this award-winning content and discover the work of NFB creators, visit NFB.ca, download its apps for mobile devices or visit NFB Pause.
