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Refrain

Art Film / Drama / Music Video

Intended Audience: Mature

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$9.95
Purchase Stream $8.95
Purchase DVD $16.95

The struggle of a songwriter who escapes oppression through her music.

Riya writes songs in the middle of the night, in the bathroom, after her nose has stopped bleeding and the swelling in her cheeks has gone down... After her husband, Ash, has finally passed out. She writes songs that will never be heard by anyone but herself.

This has been the sad refrain in Riya's life for many years. But what follows is the bridge to a new verse; a chance for Riya to bring her songs out of isolation and into the light. With the help of friends who mentor and protect her, Riya aspires to shed the bonds of her abusive relationship and head toward her dream of one day playing her music for other people. The crescendo to Riya's story deals in love, violence, retribution and hope.


Meet the Filmmaker

  • Directed by Tyler Gibb
  • Written by Tyler Gibb
  • Produced by Tyler Gibb
  • Running Time 104 min
  • Release Date 2009
  • Country Canada
  • Content Rating Intended Audience: mature
  • Website Refrain

  • Purchase Stream

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Directed by Tyler Gibb

Written by Tyler Gibb

Produced by Tyler Gibb

Cast Mark Waters: Zeph
Rachelle Néron: Lin
Brad Carmichael: Ash
Vidya Lutchman: Riya
Vikki Wong: Deirdre
Crew Vidya Lutchman: Composer
Tyler Gibb: Editor
Tyler Gibb: Photography
Tom Simpson: Composer
Montréal World Film Festival

There are extras available at the Refrain website, including interviews and free music.

Not only can you download all the songs from the film for free but you can also download the songs created as a part of the Refrain Side Project: An open source music project where independent musicians reinterpret the songs from Refrain.

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"a sterling calling card for a future in film." - John Griffin, Montreal Gazette

"a taut shooting and editing style and understated but powerful performances." - Malcolm Fraser, Montreal Mirror

"Refrain is built of silences that speak volumes, and interspersed with songs that express an incredible range of emotions." - Natalia Wysocka, 24heures Montreal

"One the finest English-language Montréal independent productions" - Andrés Canella, Cinestrata

More press and reviews at http://tylergibb.com/refrain