Hello Destroyer


Hello Destroyer is a 2016 Canadian drama film written and directed by Kevan Funk. It had its world premiere in the Discovery section at the 2016 [Toronto International Film Festival].
The film stars Jared Abrahamson as an enforcer on a hockey team who faces difficult consequences when a hit on an opposing player during a game turns more violent than intended. It was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards, including Canadian [Screen Award for Best Motion Picture|Best Motion Picture].

Cast

The film was an expansion of his 2013 short film Destroyer.
According to Funk, his intention was to make a film that explored institutional and systemic violence rather than a sports film per se; he chose a hockey-related setting as it represented an "aggressively Canadian" cultural institution which has a complex relationship with violence and "toxic masculinity", and has stated that if he were making the same film in the United States he would likely have chosen a military setting.
The film was shot primarily in Prince George, British Columbia, including at the CN Centre.

Reception

Vice Sports describes the film as "about how violence is cultivated, showcased and then punished within a set of institutions that require its presence to be profitable", and Alex Rose of the magazine Cult MTL called the film "as Canadian as a Weakerthans song and as depressing as that second Leonard Cohen record."
On 7 December 2016, the film was named to the Toronto International Film Festival's annual Canada's Top 10 list.

Accolades

The film received four Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 5th Canadian Screen Awards in 2017, including Best Motion Picture and Best Actor.
AwardsDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipients and nomineesResult
Canadian Screen Awards12 March 2017Best Motion PictureDaniel Domachowski, Haydn WazelleNomitated
Canadian Screen Awards12 March 2017Best DirectorKevan FunkNomitated
Canadian Screen Awards12 March 2017Best ActorJared AbrahamsonNomitated
Canadian Screen Awards12 March 2017Best Original ScreenplayKevan FunkNomitated
Leo Awards2017Best Motion PictureHaydn Wazelle, Daniel DomachowskiWon
Leo Awards2017Best Direction in a Motion PictureKevan FunkWon
Leo Awards2017Best Screenwriting in a Motion PictureKevan FunkWon
Leo Awards2017Best Cinematography in a Motion PictureBenjamin LoebWon
Leo Awards2017Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Motion PictureKurt Max RunteNomitated
Leo Awards2017Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Motion PictureJoe BuffaloNomitated
Leo Awards2017Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Motion PictureJared AbrahamsonWon
Vancouver Film Critics Circle16 December 2016Best Canadian FilmKevan FunkWon
Vancouver Film Critics Circle16 December 2016Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best [British Columbia Film|Best British Columbia Film]Kevan FunkWon
Vancouver Film Critics Circle16 December 2016Best Canadian DirectorKevan FunkWon
Vancouver Film Critics Circle16 December 2016Vancouver Film Critics Circle [Award for Best Actor in a Canadian Film|Best Actor in a Canadian Film]Jared AbrahamsonWon
Vancouver Film Critics Circle16 December 2016Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian FilmKurt Max RunteWon
Vancouver International Film Festival2016BC Emerging Filmmaker AwardKevan FunkWon