Heart in the right place

McKenna's movie about transplant patient slow-moving and poignant

Jeannette (Marie Brassard) has a bad heart. In Ryan McKenna's layered, loopy little feature (in French, with subtitles), this is a medical condition -- she's on a transplant list -- but also a metaphorical problem.

Stuck in a silent, celibate relationship, sinking in a quicksand of chronic low-grade unhappiness, the middle-aged Jeannette seems more likely to die of ennui than actual heart disease.

Starting with this seemingly glum premise, The Heart of Madame Sabali adds in absurdist comedy, surreal drama and inventive, super-stylized visuals. The final effect is weirdly, unexpectedly upbeat.

McKenna, a longtime Winnipegger now based in Montreal, keeps performances and dialogue deliberately low-key. Expect a lot of slow staring and not much talking. As with his 2012 debut feature The First Winter, which was shot locally during -40 C temperatures with snow blowing horizontally across the screen, Sabali draws on a deadpan, pseudo-depressive cinematic tone that people hate or love. You'll either find the film boring or you'll appreciate it as a sly, screwy critique of boredom.

What's open, what's closed, what's up on Thanksgiving

Here's a round-up of things to do and hours of business for services on Thanksgiving Day 2026.

Collaros turns back the clock in crucial win over Stamps

It was around this time seven years ago that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers officially became Zach Collaros’s team.

Making his first start in blue and gold after being acquired via trade, Collaros ran backwards to escape a collapsing pocket before rolling to his right and firing a perfect pass to Darvin Adams in the back corner of the south end zone during a home game against the Calgary Stampeders.

The play marked the beginning of the Collaros era in Winnipeg.

And a similar play Saturday night, once again against the Stampeders, served as a reminder that the 38-year-old pivot isn’t done just yet.

Former Oilers teammates square off for first time

Calvin Pickard has been many things to Stuart Skinner.

An ally, sounding board, confidante and most importantly, a close friend.

They were a goalie tandem for parts of three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, making two trips to the Stanley Cup final, combining for 29 playoff wins, but falling just short of achieving the ultimate goal on both of those occasions.

They were opponents just once last season when the Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins met for the first time since the trade that shipped Skinner to Pennsylvania, but it was Tristan Jarry – the guy he was traded for – standing at the opposite side of the rink.

‘People count on this place’: Pembina Hwy. Giant Tiger latest location slated to close

Another Giant Tiger store in Winnipeg will shutter next year, leaving some area residents concerned about a lack of affordable groceries in the neighbourhood.

Red papers taped to the front doors of the Canadian retail chain’s location at Pembina Highway and Southpark Drive indicate it will close Feb. 27.

Doreen Yanchuk, a self-described bargain hunter, shook her head when she saw the signs Monday. The 67-year-old said she’s a regular customer at the location because it’s a five-minute drive from her home.

“They have very good sales here, which draws people to the shop because everything is expensive,” Yanchuk said.