When I grow up, I want to be like Lina. She’s a firm believer that dreams aren’t only for youth – she left her successful career in advertising at 50 to pursue her life long goal of being an artist. She’s a model, she’s a trapeze (!) performer, and she’s an amazing role model to her grandchildren. I’ll let her story speak for itself.

We captured this film over the course of 4 days in Montreal. Lina’s work is strongly inspired by the grit and texture of the city, so we scoured the town in search of the right spots to shoot, while pairing those visuals with her studio process. Lina cares deeply about the legacy and impact she leaves on her grandchildren, so we also spent an afternoon capturing her relationship with her grandson, Ugo. We were so fortunate for this amazing look into a real, inspiring, rich life. Also, it turns out I can still speak french(ish)! Bonus!

Subject: Lina Vandal
Co-Directors: Christian Tisdale & Liam Mullany
DP: Liam Mullany
Photographer: Christian Tisdale
Production Co: Christian Tisdale Photography Inc
Producer: Zanny Venner
Agency: Library Collective
Creative Director: Jed Churcher
Casting Director: Lizzy Weinraub + Cast Partner
Client: TurboTax
1st AC: Zion Lipstein-Saffer
Location Sound: Liz Bellotti
Editorial: David Peacock
Colour: Sam Gilling
Score: Andrew Judah
Sound Design: Grayson Music Group
Additional thanks to: Byron Kopman, Raw Camera, and many others.