This feature documentary presents a thoughtful and vivid portrait of a community facing imposed relocation. At the centre of the story is the remarkable, astute and luminous 12-year-old Francine Valentine, whose poignant observations about life, the soul, and the power of art give voice to those rarely heard in society. Unarmed Verses is a cinematic rendering of our universal need for self-expression and belonging.
In the feature documentary Unarmed Verses, acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer creates a thoughtful and vivid portrait of a family and a community facing a difficult transition. The largely low-income residents of a rental housing block in Toronto’s north-east end are threatened with imposed relocation due to the impending demolition of the place they call home. At the centre of this story is 12-year-old Francine Valentine, a curious and compassionate girl whose astute observations and innate ability to express her thoughts belie her young age.
Having immigrated to Canada as a four-year-old, Francine lives with her father and other family members but has a distant relationship with her mother, who remained in their home country of Antigua. Francine’s remarkably insightful reflections on life, the self, and the soul are beautifully framed by her love for art of all kinds, from poetry to drawing, dancing, and music. The difficult realities of her existence—poverty, girlhood, family rifts, and community tumult—are no match for this bright and expressive youngster.
Francine and her peers are aided through their community’s transition by teachers and mentors who show them the power of art and creativity in navigating adversity. From garage reggae jams to the soft jazz emanating behind languid shots of the neighbourhood and its people, from Francine’s careful reading of Edgar Allan Poe to the recording studio where the neighbourhood’s teenagers learn to lay down their musical tracks, the capacity of art to provide strength and create change is fully realized. As Francine herself says, art is an “escape from reality.”
While Francine’s unforgettable voice speaks for an entire community facing change, Unarmed Verses gives agency to those who are rarely heard in society. Francine’s transformative journey transcends a simple coming-of-age story: it mirrors our universal need to express ourselves, find our voice, and belong. Charles Officer builds a powerful bond of trust with this luminous girl, crafting a poignant urban observational film that explores intertwining themes of economic disparity, home, love, and self-esteem.
“It’s a miracle that we exist at all,” is a line from a poem by one of Francine’s mentors, who encouraged her to improve her self-confidence through art. This universal truth transcends the struggles and triumphs of communities across the world that are facing adversity while celebrating their bonds.
Written and Directed by
Charles Officer
Produced by
Lea Marin
Executive Producer
Anita Lee
Director of Photography
Mike McLaughlin
Editor
Andres Landau
Editorial Consultant
Ricardo Acosta
Sound Recordist
Mike Filippov
Original Music Composed by
Menalon
Featuring
Francine Valentine Krystle Chance
Alva Valentine Q’Mal Labad-Workman
Keturah Francis Harry Knazan
Ryan Johnson Des Rouges
Kenny Johnson Jaydahmann
Lavane Kelly Sydney Duff
Carleen Robinson The Villaways Community
Production Supervisor
Mark Wilson
Studio Administrator
Stefanie Brantner
Aerial Photography
Orbis Aerials
Additional Cinematography
Charles Officer
Greg Biskup
Blake Hannahson
Adrian Vieni
1st Assistant Camera
Christopher Goll
Digital Media Technicians
Zachary Cox
Curry Leamen
Additional Sound Recording
Jason Milligan
Scott Tremblay
Production Coordinators
Andrew Martin-Smith
Natalie Van Dine
Community Liaison Officer
Carleen Robinson
Technical Coordinator
Marcus Matyas
Production Managers
Lori Chodos
Nadine Simunic
Assistant Editors
Curry Leamen
Zoya Rezaie
Online Editor
Serge Verreault
Re-recording Mixer
Serge Boivin
Sound Facility
Tattersall Sound and Picture
Sound Designer
David McCallum
Sound FX Editors
Claire Dobson
Krystin Hunter
Marketing Manager
Melissa Wheeler
Publicist
Pat Dillon-Moore
Legal Counsel
Peter Kallianiotis
“Casa”
Written and Performed by Jean-Michel Blais
Courtesy of Arts & Crafts Productions
“Hasselblad 2”
Written and Performed by Jean-Michel Blais
Courtesy of Arts & Crafts Productions
“Hasselblad 4”
Written and Performed by Jean-Michel Blais
Courtesy of Arts & Crafts Productions
“As a Bird or Branch”
Performed by Colin Stetson
Written by Colin Stetson
Published by Third Side Music Inc.
Courtesy of Colin Stetson
“This Bed Of Shattered Bone”
Performed by Colin Stetson
Written by Colin Stetson, Ben Frost
Published by Third Side Music Inc.
Courtesy of Constellation Records
“The Righteous Wrath Of An Honorable Man”
Performed by Colin Stetson
Written by Colin Stetson
Published by Third Side Music Inc.
Courtesy of Constellation Records
Footage from “Lost & Found Music Studios” Courtesy of
Boat Rocker Media
Special Thanks
Ionie Officer
Brigid Tierney
Liz Forsberg
Katherine Earl
Amiga Taylor
Marsha Greene
Geoff Morrison
Garvia Bailey
Roslyn Kalloo
Clark Johnson
Jake Yanowski
Donna Cowan
Jane Gutteridge
Justine Pimlott
Renée Lottridge
Lolo Desrosiers-Guité
Anya Martin
Glenn Martin
Nadia Martin
Trevor Martin
William Kowalczyk
Arsema Berhane
Shelley Carroll
Art Starts
Apollo Studios
Art Gallery of Ontario
City of Toronto
Parkway Forest Community Centre
Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Victory Social Club