''Doomstown'' is a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

television movie A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

, which aired in 2006 on CTV. Set in the

Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown Smithfield is a neighbourhood and former village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Some new residents of Toronto and new immigrants to Canada are attracted to this neighbourhood, mainly because there is a large amount of affordable public housing. It ...

neighbourhood

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

, Ontario, the film explores the issue of gang violence in the neighbourhood of Rexdale. ''Doomstown'' was written and directed by

Sudz Sutherland David "Sudz" Sutherland is a Canadian film director and screenwriter. His credits include the films ''Doomstown'', ''Love, Sex and Eating the Bones'', ''Guns'', ''Speakers for the Dead'' and '' Home Again'', as well as episodes of ''Drop the Beat' ...

. Its cast includes K. C. Collins who played Kevin 'Jedi' Barrows, Mark Taylor who played Mike "Twist" Twistleton,

Genelle Williams Genelle Williams (born February 18, 1984) is a Canadian actress who is best known for her roles as Kim Carlisle in ''Radio Free Roscoe'', as DJ in '' The Latest Buzz'', and as the innkeeper Leena in '' Warehouse 13''. Career Acting in high scho ...

who played Monica,

Clé Bennett Clé Bennett is a Canadian actor. He is best known for voicing DJ, Beardo, Leonard, and Chef Hatchet (Seasons 1 - 6) from ''Total Drama'', and his portrayal of Lemar Hoskins / Battlestar in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries ''The Falcon an ...

played Money, Shakura S'Aida, Yanna McIntosh played Pat Barrows, Shawn Singleton, Zainab Musa and

Kristin Fairlie Kristin Louise Fairlie (born April 22, 1985) is a Canadian actress. In 1998, she won a Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble for her lead role in the Showtime original movie ''The Sweetest Gift''. As a voice actress, Fairlie has voiced the roles ...

who played Kelly.

Plot

The film explores many social issues like drug dealing, the search for respect and power, the roles of mothers and fathers in low-income or minority based communities, and violence. Kevin 'Jedi' Barrows is the lead actor who is a 20-year-old male that ultimately learns through tragedy.

Cast

* K.C. Collins as Kevin "Jeddi" Barrows * Mark Taylor as Mike "Twist" Twistleton *

as Monica *

as "Money" *

as Kelly * Yanna McIntosh as Pat Barrows * Shakura S'Aida as Karen Twistleton * Shawn Singleton as Ashcroft * Zainab Musa as Constance Barrows * Quincy Nanatakyi as Sean * Suzanne Coy as Marva *

Mpho Koaho Mpho Koaho () is a Canadian actor. He portrayed Anthony on the TNT science fiction series ''Falling Skies'' (2011–2015) and was also a series regular on the Teletoon action adventure ''MetaJets'' (2011) and the BBC America science fiction com ...

as Paul "Countryman" Blackhall * Whitney Turner as Eric "Eric D" * Jazzmeyn Barnett as Asia

Critical reception

A very real and authentic representation of the struggle that individuals and groups in low-income or minority based communities go through to get by on a day-to-day basis. Using local and Canadian actors, many viewers found a connection that made this film more enjoyable to watch. As mentioned in most reviews, Doomstown is a great teaching film that can be used for educational purposes in both a school/classroom setting and/or in homes. The storyline or plot was not overdone, and really "hit home" to the people of Toronto or individuals that were familiar with the city and its local news that contained the problems presented.

Awards

Doomstown won three Gemini Awards in 2007 according to IMDb and World News/Variety.com:{{Cite web, url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000272/2007/1/, title=Gemini Awards Crown 'Doomstown', last=Kelly, first=Brendan, date=October 18, 2007, access-date=April 1, 2018 *2007 Gemini Award for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Doomstown, Sudz Sutherland *2007 Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Won by Yanna McIntosh for her role as Pat Barrows *2007 Gemini Award for Best TV Movie: Pierre Sarrazin, Suzette Couture, Susan Murdoch

References

External links

''Doomstown'' at IMDb
2006 films 2006 television films Canadian drama television films Films directed by Sudz Sutherland English-language Canadian films Gemini and Canadian Screen Award for Best Television Film or Miniseries winners 2000s Canadian films