HOT DOCS Review: White Vans « Spacing Toronto

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April 21st, 2008

White Vans examines the frustration and anger of being the victim of bike theft. Narrated and directed by Aren Hansen, this short documentary delves into the feelings of rage and the fantasies of revenge that often follow the discovery that one's bike has been stolen.

The film is a melancholy but smart exploration of the emotional, economic, and social disturbance bike theft has on those who have had the unfortunate luck of experiencing it. Just as the narrator meanders in and out of city streets on a 30 year old, royal blue bicycle, the movie smartly weaves a myriad of perspectives from a child, a criminologist, a pro-biker and others who have intimately experienced bike theft. There is a charm that arises from the narrator's ability to freely indulge in a child-like personification of the elusive thief; his morbid fascination with the horrific fate of pilfered bikes; and his fantasy of giving in to the violent urges that rise up in him if he were to ever meet with a bike thief.

Although a sweet sadness pervades White Vans, its honest portrayal of anger and vengeance make for an amusing yet poignant piece.

White Vans has its HOT DOCS premiere with Carts of Darkness today at 7 pm at the Royal theatre. It screens again on April 24, 12 pm at the Isabel Bader theatre.

photo by Sam Javanrouh

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"White Vans examines the frustration and anger of being the victim of bike theft."
The violation one feels from dealing with their bicycle being stolen or mutilated is NOTHING compared to the RAGE one feels dealing with being personally violated and mutilated by an unknown motorholic, an investigating pig bent on blaming the victim and an indifferent health care system. Ten months with an untreated broken bone is a long time to have to put off things like making a living.
I suspect I'll be very angry for awhile yet.

Comment by geoffrey

April 21, 2008 | 8:27 pm

I've just been to the Royal, and both films are wonderful. Don't miss the repeat screening if you're free at noon on Thursday!

understanding the urban landscape