New documentary provides intimate portrait of Ontario Place

An Ontario Place documentary called Your Tomorrow is having its theatrical premiere next month in Toronto.

The premiere will take place on December 6, 7, and 8, 2024, at Hot Docs Cinema located at 506 Bloor Street West.

Your Tomorrow, filmed over almost 100 days in the public space on Toronto’s waterfront, captures the final year of Ontario Place before its planned transformation into a private spa and waterpark. Earlier this year, it played at the Toronto International Film Festival where it won a runner up Audience Choice award.

The documentary follows a group of characters who use and care for this park over the course of a year. The audience sees the space evolve through the eyes of a security guard who has worked there for forty years, a pair of Taiwanese retirees who visit the park daily, and a swimmer and self-described “cyborg” who leads year-round lake dips.

The film documents a transitional moment in the landscape of the city, and asks viewers to consider what modern cities should look like and what a diverse urban society requires to thrive.

The screening on December 6 will be followed by a Q&A with director Ali Weinstein, producer Geoff Morrison, birder Francesca Bouaoun, Ontario Place for All co-chair Norm Di Pasquale and professor and swimmer Steve Mann. The session will be moderated by Hot Docs’ Director of Programming, Heather Haynes.

Ontario Place originally opened in 1971 with a vision of idealism and futurism, and was designed as a family-friendly oasis for those who couldn’t afford cottages.

Throughout the years, it became a public park spanning 155 acres of car-free land, that was cherished for its architecture, environment, and vibrancy. Weinstein’s Your Tomorrow not only reflects on its history and uncertain future, but also emphasizes the importance of such urban spaces, while exploring the impact on the lives of its visitors and staff. The film also prompts a discussion on urban development, community values, and the preservation of public spaces.

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