Hot Docs: Highlights from North America's Biggest Documentary Film Festival

Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles dir. Jon Foy (USA)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xpGrGqCe9s&w=575&h=349]

This was one I’d been reluctant to see. “Cryptic tiles appearing embedded in the ground in cities all over the US and around the world for 30 years with no explanation?” I thought. “Bo-ring!” But eventually the media hype won out and, one lazy evening, I watched a preview copy at home. “Toynbee Idea in Movie 2001. Resurrect Dead on Planet Jupiter,” say the freaky tiles. What does it mean? Who is responsible? This film traces the history of the Toynbee tile mystery and follows the people determined to solve it—a loveable bunch of ragtags á la the Camp North Star basketball team in Meatballs (which, incidentally, is better than all these movies). Filmmaker Jon Foy has turned an insane subject turned into a fascinating, stylish, and charming film. He also composed all the music. This is an epic achievement. Does anyone know him? Is he really cool?