Experiencing Interruptions?

THE PUNCHLINE

George Rivard, a Toronto-based comedian still fighting for his place in the stand-up scene, navigates the gritty underground comedy world. Along the way, insights from seasoned comics like Moe Ismail and Ariel Kagan offer valuable perspectives on the challenges Canadian comedy is facing today.

As George grapples with the realities of a struggling industry, the contrasting viewpoints of these comedians shed light on the deepening crisis within the scene. Their perspectives ultimately converge, offering a powerful look at what it will take for Canadian comedy to survive and evolve.

  • Andrew Giallo
    Producer
  • Henry Patriquin
    Director
  • Dem Quintero
    Director Of Photography
    The Parlay
  • Emma Thomas
    Sound Recordist
  • Dana Roggero
    Editor
  • Dem Quintero
    Editor
    The Parlay
  • George Rivard
    Key Cast
  • Moe Ismail
    Key Cast
  • Ariel Kagan
    Key Cast
  • Brandon Sobel
    Key Cast
  • Linda Camacho
    Key Cast
  • Dem Quintero
    Score Composer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama, Participant Observatory
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 13, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,250 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9-2.37:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Humber Polytechnic
Director Biography - Henry Patriquin

Henry Patriquin is a Toronto-based comedy writer, director, and filmmaker with a passion for blending humor with storytelling. He is the writer and director of his short film, Burning. His work is marked by a keen eye for character-driven humor and a sharp understanding of the comedic process.

Currently, Henry is focused on continuing his creative journey in the world of comedy, with aspirations to write and produce more comedic short films and sketches. His work seeks to explore the absurdities of everyday life, while also paying homage to the rich tradition of comedy in both film and live performance. With a growing portfolio of projects, Henry is excited to keep evolving as a writer and filmmaker, pushing boundaries and making audiences laugh along the way.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am pretty much obsessed with stand up comedy and have been since I was probably 11 years old. I love Toronto and I love all of the comedians that we have here. Therefore, I wanted to make a documentary that follows some comedians from Toronto’s incredibly talented stand up scene, that I thought maybe weren’t getting the love and recognition they deserved.
I also wanted to have them talk about their experience of doing comedy in Canada in comparison to our media empire neighbour which is the United states. I have always felt that many Canadians have an inferiority complex when compared to the states and I wanted them to talk about how they feel about that, if they feel they have to leave and move to the states to make it, or if they feel they can stay here to do what they want to do.
I feel that in The Punchline we did a great job with capturing diverse perspectives on the Toronto stand up scene and the state of comedy in general from different, yet all extremely talented stand up comedians.