I'm Just Here for the Riot

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I'm Just Here for the Riot
Directed byAsia Youngman
Kathleen Jayme
Produced by
  • James Brown
  • Michael Grand
  • Gentry Kirby
CinematographyKaayla Whachell
Edited byKatie Chipperfield and Greg Ng
Distributed byESPN Films
Release date
Running time
77 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

I'm Just Here for the Riot is a 2023 documentary film about the 2011 Stanley Cup riot that occurred in Vancouver after Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins.[1] Directed by Kathleen Jayme and Asia Youngman, it examines the riot through on-the-ground footage, interviews with many people who were there, including rioters who were outed on social media and the, "lasting, multi-platform impact the riot had across the city."[2]

The documentary premiered at the 2023 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[3] It also screened at the 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival.[4] It is the 124th in ESPN's 30 for 30.[5]

Background[edit]

An estimated 155,000 people were in downtown Vancouver to view Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.[6] A massive riot broke out almost immediately after the conclusion of the Boston Bruins' win over the Vancouver Canucks. 122 cars were damaged or destroyed, police cars were burned, building windows were shattered and stores were looted as waves of young people were caught in mob mentality, resulting in over $3.78M in damages. At least 140 people were injured, including 9 police officers, and 101 people arrested.[7][8][9] In total, police brought 887 charges against 301 people.[10]

Production[edit]

Both directors, Kathleen Jayme and Asia Youngman, are Vancouverites and watched Game 7; Youngman was present downtown while Jayme watched from home.[2] Jayme went downtown the following morning to interview cleanup volunteers.[11] They began developing the documentary together in 2018; every broadcaster in Canada turned them down. In February 2020, they pitched it to the former director of development at ESPN and were greenlit the following year. Sound and colour correction was completed by April 2023.[12]

Cast[edit]

Rioters were quickly identified online, described as the first "smartphone riot" and "trial-by-social-media."[13] Interviews include some of the people whose faces were "named and shamed."[14]

Reception[edit]

Susan G. Cole, writing for POV Magazine, said it was an "emotional experience" and "loaded with information."[15] Rachel Ho praised its "balanced approach exploring the effects of social media and mob mentality."[13] Writing for TheGATE, Andrew Parker described it as "a typically great ESPN 30 for 30 documentary" and "compelling viewing... sure to spark debate."[16]

The film was named to the initial longlist for the 2023 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Holliday, Ian (25 March 2023). "'I'm Just Here for the Riot': Vancouver directors to tackle 2011 Stanley Cup riot in ESPN documentary". CTV News. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Fitz-Gerald, Sean. "New ESPN doc shows a different side of the Vancouver Stanley Cup riot's impact". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  3. ^ Punter, Jennie (4 May 2023). "Western Canadian Filmmakers, Industry Professionals Up Their Game at Hot Docs". Variety. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  4. ^ Gregory, Allie. "Vancouver International Film Festival Announces 2023 Lineup of Films, Live Events and More". Exclaim. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  5. ^ Lopez, Isabelle (24 March 2023). "ESPN Films Announces 30 for 30 Documentary "I'm Just Here for the Riot" on 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup Riot". ESPN. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  6. ^ DeWitt-Van Oosten, Joyce. "B.C.'s Prosecution Service – Report on the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup Riot Prosecutions" (PDF). Ministry of Justice and Attorney General. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  7. ^ Lindsay, Bethany (June 16, 2011). "From bad to brutal: Timeline of a riot". CTV Vancouver News. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  8. ^ "Riots erupt in Vancouver after Canucks loss". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 13, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  9. ^ "Nine cops hurt, 150 injured during Vancouver riot". CP24. 16 June 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  10. ^ Crawford, Tiffany. "Stanley Cup riot investigation winds down as last two suspects charged". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  11. ^ Jayme, Kat. "Every Vancouverite has a story about the Vancouver 2011 riot. This film is ours". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  12. ^ Ntim, Zac (5 April 2023). "Canadian Post Production Outfit Elemental Post Opens Studio In Vancouver". Deadline. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b Ho, Rachel. "Hot Docs 2023: 'I'm Just Here for the Riot' Tackles a Different Kind of Mob Mentality". Exclaim!. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  14. ^ Kergin, Brendan. "'I'm just here for the riot': New documentary to look at 2011 Vancouver Canucks riot". Prince George Citizen. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  15. ^ Cole, Susan G. (May 2023). "I'm Just Here for the Riot Review: When the Hockey Hosers Get Mad". POV. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  16. ^ Parker, Andrew (May 2023). "HOT DOCS 2023 REVIEW: I'M JUST HERE FOR THE RIOT". TheGATE. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. ^ Connie Thiessen, "DGC unveils 2023 Discovery Award long list". Broadcast Dialogue, September 12, 2023.