In his latest documentary, Sean Menard gives viewers an unprecedented look at Vince Carter: the six-foot-six, eight-time NBA All-Star from Daytona Beach who made waves in the Canadian basketball scene when he joined the Raptors in 1998.

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TIFF Docs

The Carter Effect

Sean Menard

Get ready to feel the Vinsanity. This galvanizing documentary chronicles the rise of the Toronto Raptors and the pivotal role of basketball superstar Vince Carter in building the team's notoriety and planting Toronto firmly on the world's pop-culture map. Featuring appearances from Steve Nash, Director X, Mona Halem, and global megastar Drake, The Carter Effect captures the thrill of the game, the complexity of the industry, and the intoxicating mix of athletics, civic pride, music, and surging diversity that make Toronto the entirely unique city that it's become.

At the core of the film is an interview with the charismatic Carter himself, who speaks with insight and candour about his career and involvement with the Raptors. The legendary 2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest, the relationship between Carter and Tracy McGrady, the gut-wrenching drama of Carter's departure from Toronto, and the recent, gratifying steps toward reconciliation: these are just some of The Carter Effect's highlights.

Carter hails from Florida but Toronto soon became a home to him. Drake, who is both a participant in the film and its executive producer, credits Carter with convincing him that this is a place to be proud of. Near the end of the film we hear from Raptors super-fan Nav Bhatia, a Sikh businessman who hasn't missed a game in 22 years. The Carter Effect is first and foremost a hugely entertaining homage to a stunning sports legacy, but it is also a love letter to a world-class, truly multicultural city where dreams can come true.

CAMERON BAILEY

Screenings

Thu Sep 07

Scotiabank 9

Press
2:30pm
Sat Sep 09

Princess of Wales

Regular
3:45pm
Sun Sep 10

Scotiabank 3

Regular
2:00pm
Thu Sep 14

Scotiabank 9

Press
9:45pm
Fri Sep 15

Scotiabank 14

Regular
9:45pm
Sun Sep 17

Scotiabank 2

Regular
3:00pm