HOOKERS ON DAVIE

1984, 86 mins., by Janis Cole and Holly Dale

Presented by Pan-Canadian & Spectrum Films

"The West end of Vancouver is a densely populated residential area close to downtown shopping and just minutes from Stanley Park. Within this same district is a 20 block area with Davie Street as its centre. It has been coined the prostitution capital of Canada. Available here are male, female, transvestite and transexual prostitutes who ply their trade daily from noon until 3:00 am. Up to 150 prostitutes can be found working these streets at one time. Many of them started as juveniles, around twelve years old, and many more of the transvestites started working as boys but instead found it more economical to work dressed as women. Because of the dangers and vulnerabilities they face on the street, the prositutes in this area have created bonds by working together."

The film is shot like a documentary and put together like a dramatic fiction. The filmmakers allow the audience to be interpreter; there is no voice-over, and no contrived dialogue to explain the plot. The viewer is taken into the world of the men, women, transvestites and transsexuals who ply their trade on Vancouver's Davie Street. No maudlin cliche, it shows how rough and tough life on the streets can be. - Brian Johnson, Macleans Magazine.

Winner, Gold Plaque, Chicago Film Festival

Winner, American Film Festival, Best Social Documentary

Nominated, Genie Award, Theatrical Documentary

Cineplex theatrical release across Canada

CITY TV, 1987-90

Robert Flaherty Film Seminar, 1985

Toronto, Nyon, Vancouver, London, New York, Cinema Du Real, Filmex, & Miami Film Festivals, etc.

Produced by Cole/Dale, with assistance from The Canada Council, The Ontario Arts Council, Studio D - National Film Board of Canada