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First Stripes begins with three rows of men and women in military uniform marching down the centre of the frame. This ceremonious moment marks the beginning of an intensive 12-week training camp in the Canadian Armed Forces. We hear the motivations of some of these fresh recruits, but their individual stories and personalities are not the focus here; it's the military as an institution that's under the lens. In skilfully composed shots, we watch scenes of drills, menial tasks and classroom exercises. Although humorous at times, these moments are full of wordless commentary on the regimented systems of control that the military imposes and that new soldiers must learn to endure. With this accomplished study of what it takes to serve your country, filmmaker Jean-François Caissy continues his fascinating cinematic studies of the institutions that shape our lives. Aisha Jamal
Co-presented with Alliance française de Toronto.