Public Domain (film)
Encyclopedia
Public Domain is a 2003 Canadian film about reality TV
. It was directed by Kris Lefcoe
and stars Nicole de Boer
, Mike Beaver
, Lindy Booth
and Dov Tiefenbach
. The film is openly critical of reality TV and portrays the hosts and producers as cruel and heartless people. While it was considered a 'feature' film, it has toured film festival
s more than it has been screened in cinemas.
game show in which the producers infiltrate the contestants' homes without their knowledge and place them under surveillance for the world to see. In a Big Brother
-style twist, viewers vote for who they think is the funniest and most dysfunctional contestant, and the top three based on these votes are chosen as the finalists.
but only received seven reviews. Dennis Harvey from Variety did not give the movie a score, however the text of the review was borderline positive.
However, Stephen Cole from the Globe and Mail gave Public Domain a negative review, saying that all characters but Don McKellar
seem trapped in a mean, deadening satire and Ed Gonzalez from Slant Magazine
gave it 1.5 stars out of 5 - comparing it to Big Brother
and saying its muddled intent and miscalculated presentation gets at nothing.
Public Domain premiered at Resfest
Toronto in October 2003, before touring the film festival
s of the United States
. The film won the Best Feature award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival
2004.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
. It was directed by Kris Lefcoe
Kris Lefcoe
Kris Lefcoe is a Canadian film writer and director. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Lefcoe graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in philosophy, before attending Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre as a Director Resident....
and stars Nicole de Boer
Nicole de Boer
Nicole de Boer is a Canadian actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Ezri Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from 1998 to 1999 and as Sarah Bannerman on The Dead Zone from 2002 to 2007.-Career:...
, Mike Beaver
Mike Beaver
Mike Beaver is a Canadian born comic actor and writer currently living in Los Angeles. He first hit the comedy scene back in 1996 with The Bobroom, a sketch comedy troupe from Toronto, that he co-founded. Mike received rave reviews for his fearless comedy style and committed characters. The...
, Lindy Booth
Lindy Booth
Lindy Booth is a Canadian actress who currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She's best known for playing Riley Grant on the Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson and Claudia on Relic Hunter. She also portrayed A.J...
and Dov Tiefenbach
Dov Tiefenbach
Dov Yosef Tiefenbach is a Canadian actor and musician.Tiefenbach was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He began his acting career at the age of 12, first starting off in commercials before playing the role of 'Josh Avery' in the television series RoboCop , and landed his first starring role as...
. The film is openly critical of reality TV and portrays the hosts and producers as cruel and heartless people. While it was considered a 'feature' film, it has toured film festival
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
s more than it has been screened in cinemas.
Plot synopsis
Public Domain is a reality TVReality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
game show in which the producers infiltrate the contestants' homes without their knowledge and place them under surveillance for the world to see. In a Big Brother
Big Brother (TV series)
Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash...
-style twist, viewers vote for who they think is the funniest and most dysfunctional contestant, and the top three based on these votes are chosen as the finalists.
Cast
- Nicole de BoerNicole de BoerNicole de Boer is a Canadian actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Ezri Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from 1998 to 1999 and as Sarah Bannerman on The Dead Zone from 2002 to 2007.-Career:...
as Bonnie - Don McKellarDon McKellar-Personal life:McKellar was born in Toronto, Ontario to a lawyer father and teacher mother. He attended Glenview Senior Public School, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute and later studied English at the University of Toronto's Victoria College...
as Host - Nadia LitzNadia Litz-Biography:She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A former child actor, she has described herself as somewhat ambitious. She is of Russian, Polish and British descent, and the press has noted her small physical stature...
as Terry - Mike BeaverMike BeaverMike Beaver is a Canadian born comic actor and writer currently living in Los Angeles. He first hit the comedy scene back in 1996 with The Bobroom, a sketch comedy troupe from Toronto, that he co-founded. Mike received rave reviews for his fearless comedy style and committed characters. The...
as Peter - Lindy BoothLindy BoothLindy Booth is a Canadian actress who currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She's best known for playing Riley Grant on the Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson and Claudia on Relic Hunter. She also portrayed A.J...
as Monica - Dov TiefenbachDov TiefenbachDov Yosef Tiefenbach is a Canadian actor and musician.Tiefenbach was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He began his acting career at the age of 12, first starting off in commercials before playing the role of 'Josh Avery' in the television series RoboCop , and landed his first starring role as...
as Tommy - Salvatore AntonioSalvatore AntonioSalvatore Antonio is a Canadian actor and playwright. He was born to Italian-immigrant parents...
as Don - Jamie JohnstonJamie JohnstonJames "Jamie" Johnston is a Canadian actor and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his role as Peter Stone on Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Personal life and career:...
as Ian - Krista SuttonKrista SuttonKrista Sutton is a Canadian actress who has worked in television, movies and theatre. She is also an acting teacher. She grew up in Toronto but currently lives in New York City. She is best known for her leading role in the improvisational drama Train 48...
as Anchor
Critical reception
Public Domain received mostly positive reviews, although many critics did not choose to review the movie. For example, the movie scored 57% at Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
but only received seven reviews. Dennis Harvey from Variety did not give the movie a score, however the text of the review was borderline positive.
However, Stephen Cole from the Globe and Mail gave Public Domain a negative review, saying that all characters but Don McKellar
Don McKellar
-Personal life:McKellar was born in Toronto, Ontario to a lawyer father and teacher mother. He attended Glenview Senior Public School, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute and later studied English at the University of Toronto's Victoria College...
seem trapped in a mean, deadening satire and Ed Gonzalez from Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
gave it 1.5 stars out of 5 - comparing it to Big Brother
Big Brother (TV series)
Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash...
and saying its muddled intent and miscalculated presentation gets at nothing.
Public Domain premiered at Resfest
RESFest
RESFEST was by the 2000s the most prominent digital film festival in North America. It was a leading global showcase of new digital filmmakers alongside England's Onedotzero festival. The festival toured the world and in 2005 travelled to 35 cities in the USA, Canada, UK, Japan, Australia,...
Toronto in October 2003, before touring the film festival
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
s of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The film won the Best Feature award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival
Beverly Hills Film Festival
The Beverly Hills Film Festival is a film festival in the United States founded by award-winning independent filmmaker Nino Simone in 2001. The festival debuted in 2001, and has shown regular growth each year...
2004.