Browse films

The Knits

Lisa Birke
Canada, 2017, 10 min.

In no dialogue.

A sweater, lovingly and arduously knit by a mother, incrementally unravels as her daughter treks her way across Canada by foot.

Director's Statement

In knitting, one literally gives one's time ”chronicled in interwoven loops of yarn” to keep someone warm. Hand-knitted sweaters bring us closer to our mothers and grandmothers as we physically carry a document of their love and labour next to our skin, almost like a protective second skin. This project is a loving homage to Barbara Birke (the artist's mother) and her chronic affliction of "the Knits." The artist wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council Media Artists Creation Grant.

Category: Experimental, Festival Alum.
Themes: Arts, Family, Road Trip, Women, World Cinema.