Press for What Walaa Wants
Variety
“Walaa’s brio, and the sense of intimacy Garland achieves, gives the film an appealing directness”
The Globe and Mail
“the unexpectedly thrilling coming-of-age documentary of the year”
National Post
“Fly on the wall doc delivers…with crystal clarity”
NOW Magazine
“What Walaa Wants…is to join the Palestinian Security Forces, but she’s not an ideal recruit, which is what makes Garland’s observant, empathetic film so gripping.”
Chicago Reader
“It's a nuanced look at what it means to be young in Palestine, one that reveals how certain truths (namely that of youthful rebellion) are universal.”
Sydney Morning Herald
“Fascinating…this is about more than a career choice”
Junge Welt
“A masterwork of the genre. As in her earlier films Canadian director Christy Garland manages to develop an exciting plot in a documentary format (…) One isn’t sure whether to stop for breath after the incessant ups and downs. Hopefully, this longitudinal study will have a sequel.”
American Museum of Natural History
”Christy Garland wins 2018 Margaret Mead Filmmaking Award”
Press for The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song
The Globe and Mail
The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song: A Family Love Story
“unclassifiable...echoing the work of Bresson and the Dardennes”
Film Threat
“this film wrecked me...the most poignant true story ever told”
National Post
“elegantly slow reveal...heart shattering”
National Post
“a sensitive family portrait...as far away from shock-doc filmmaking... as you could get”
Now Magazine
“cinematic gold”...”this one really creeps up on you.”
Indie Wire
Review: ‘The Bastard Sings The Sweetest Song’ A Subtle But Strikingly Moving Doc
“Christy Garlands’ direction augurs a genuine and compassionate must-see portrait of alcoholism, loving familial ties, trauma, breaking the abuse cycle, and ultimately of endurance and hope.”
Toronto Star
Caged Birds: The Bastard Sweetest Song
“Canadian director Christy Garland somehow manages to let everybody keep their dignity in her sometimes disturbing look at a Guyanese family"
Torontoist
The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song - A Guyanese poet and her son make music
“an honest, bruising film”
Exclaim Magazine
“Garland’s work shows an even hand and an eye for detail”
Press for Cheer Up
IndieWire
DOC NYC 2016: 13 Movies We Can’t Wait to See at the Festival
“Funny, fresh and very original - one of 13 most anticipated at DOCNYC”
New York Times/Women in the World
Meditations on failure from the worst cheerleading team in Finland
“gentle and deliberate”
iD-VICE Magazine
Documenting the emo cheerleaders of the arctic circle
“a biting portrait of young womanhood”
Toronto Star
Finding a reason to cheer at Hot Docs
“Far from a zero-to-hero story, there’s nothing predictable about Cheer Up"
Globe and Mail
Hot Docs 2016: What documentaries should you see at this year's fest?
“a great deal of courage in the film’s refusal of pat stories about underdog victories”
Women and Hollywood
Hot Docs 2016 Women Directors: Meet Christy Garland — “Cheer Up”
She Does the City
Hot Docs: Q&A with Cheer Up's Christy Garland
Edinburgh Film Guide
Film Review: Cheer Up
Toronto Film Scene
Hot Docs 2016 Review: Cheer Up
Dorkshelf
Hot Docs 2016: Cheer Up Review