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Filmmaker Gary Burns pushes the boundaries of the documentary genre in unanticipated ways in this study of modern suburbia. The suburbs - the dominant form of community planning in North America for over 50 years - come under the microscope in Radiant City. Taking a close look at what some call ‘growth' - and others call ‘sprawl' - the documentary examines the allure and the bleak realities of the suburban model. Perspectives run the gamut from developers and cultural theorists to the residents themselves as we follow a typical suburban family through their daily life. By turns critical and satirical, Burn's Radiant City moves beyond its subject matter to become an oblique comment on the nature of documentary film. Also featured is an atmospheric soundtrack from Joey Santiago (The Pixies).
D/S Gary Burns, Jim Brown P Shirley Vercruysse, Bonnie Thompson WS National Film Board of Canada TD 35mm/2006/86mins