Arts & Science alum David Secter was back (virtually) on University of Toronto campus 60 years after making the film that kickstarted English Canadian queer cinema.
Secter’s film, Winter Kept Us Warm, was introduced to a new generation in a free screening at Innis Town Hall in late May. Shot on campus when Secter was a student at U of T, Winter was a massive success and became the first English Canadian feature to debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
“That a student film made under our circumstances — none of us having any experience — was even watchable at the time was a minor miracle,” says Secter, who earned his bachelor of arts in 1965 as a member of University College., majoring in English Language and Literature. “The fact that 60 years later it still seems to resonate is extremely rewarding.”
Winter has come to be known as an important work in the development of queer film. The story follows the friendship of two U of T students as it slowly evolves into something more than platonic comradery. Secter was inspired by his own experience of developing a crush on a straight friend.
At the time it was created, many totally missed the theme of gay love underpinning the entire story of Winter. Secter says some film critics seemed oblivious to the “gay element.” Even the actors in the film weren’t necessarily aware of the film’s theme.
“Other critics, especially gay critics, nailed it for what it was,” Secter says. “Today, it would be hard to watch the movie and not recognize what's going on.”
Secter himself is amazed at how far the attitudes around homosexuality have evolved in the years since he directed Winter.
“Being gay was triple taboo,” he says. “It was a crime, a sin and a mental illness.”
The fact that Secter was able to create the movie remains almost unbelievable. Even setting aside the theme, English Canadian filmmaking in 1965 was still in its infancy. Secter scrounged together the resources he needed, including recruiting fellow students to perform as actors. The film was made with a budget of $8,000.
Speaking to a purpose-built theatre full of students in Innis College was yet another reminder of how different both U of T and the film industry were when Winter was made.
“There was nowhere in Canada that taught film. Not even film appreciation,” Secter says. “Things have changed a lot.”
As it approaches its 60th anniversary, Winter has received renewed attention. The 4K restoration of the film shown at Innis came courtesy of Canadian International Pictures. The film is also the latest in the Queer Film Classics series from McGill-Queen’s University Press. The author of the book, Chris Dupuis, attended and spoke at the screening.
“The film has always been available. It's just nobody was distributing it online or really making an effort to get it widely distributed in festivals and so forth,” Secter says. “I'm thrilled the movie is going to reach a new audience, looking as good as it can.”
Secter says Winter has managed to stay relevant not just as an artifact of Canadian filmmaking, but also thanks to the timeless content of the film. Although a lot has changed in 60 years, guys are still getting crushes on their friends — and they’re not always reciprocated.
“I think it’s a universal phenomenon that will probably always go on,” Secter says. “In spite of the ancient look and times, the story is as up to date as relationships.”