Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie
Hookers on Davie

Canadian International Pictures

Hookers on Davie

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$35.49
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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Sister Hyde) is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!

40th Anniversary Special Edition 

At the height of the 1980s, following their breakthrough documentary P4W: Prison for Women, filmmakers Janis Cole and Holly Dale turned their lens on Vancouver’s Davie Street neighborhood, a bustling, neon-soaked hub for both trans and cisgender sex workers informally known as “the prostitution capital of Canada.” The result was Hookers on Davie, a landmark document combining candid interviews with a group of instantly memorable subjects and vivid location footage of their street work, surreptitiously captured with hidden cameras. An indelible community portrait, the film culminates in the group’s collective efforts to challenge and overcome legislative oppression.

Much lauded upon its release in 1984 and no less potent – or engrossing – 40 years later, Hookers on Davie showcases Cole and Dale’s deeply humanist approach, bringing care and compassion to subjects often represented in more reductively moralistic terms. CIP is proud to present this groundbreaking classic in a new 4K restoration that confirms its place among the greatest non-fiction films ever produced in Canada.

directed by: Janis Cole, Holly Dale
starring: various
1984 / 89 min / 1.37:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0

Additional info:

  • 4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray Set
  • 4K UHD presented in High-Dynamic-Range
  • Newly scanned and restored in 4K from the original 16mm A/B negatives by Canadian International Pictures with sound transferred from the original 16mm magnetic final mix
  • New audio commentary featuring directors Janis Cole and Holly Dale
  • New audio commentary featuring multi-disciplinary artist and curator Jordan King
  • New introduction to Hookers on Davie by Cole
  • Directors on Davie (2024, 23 min.) – New interview with Cole
  • Before Davie (2024, 12 min.) – Cole on her early films with Holly Dale
  • Mardi on Tiggy (2024, 14 min.) – Trans elder Mardi Pieronek’s tribute to her friend Tiggy
  • Video report on The West End Sex Workers Memorial fundraiser (2009, 7 min.)
  • Toronto Arts Awards tribute to Cole and Dale (1994, 4 min.)
  • CBC interview (1984, 8 min.) – Barbara Frum in conversation with Cole and Dale
  • Citytv interview (1984, 3 min.) – Jeanne Beker in conversation with Cole and Dale
  • Hookers on Davie home movies (1983, 34 min.)
  • Afterword featuring Cole and Dale (2024, 8 min.)
  • Cream Soda (1975, 13 min.) – New 2K scan of Cole and Dale’s first short
  • Minimum Charge No Cover (1976, 11 min.) – New 2K scan of Cole and Dale’s second short
  • New introductions to both shorts by Cole
  • New audio commentaries for both shorts featuring Cole and Dale
  • New audio commentaries for both shorts featuring King
  • Hookers on Davie archival press gallery
  • Booklet featuring essays by Kay Armatage, Adrian Rui Hung, and Cayley James
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.7108436 / 5 from 83 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Hookers on Davie is a highly acclaimed documentary, praised for its exceptional 4K restoration and captivating short films. Customers appreciate the beautiful packaging and the comprehensive features that provide updates on the subjects. The film's presentation and release have also been lauded as some of CIP's most impressive works.

Summary topics

  • Documentary Quality: 22%
  • Film Quality: 17%
  • Packaging Aesthetics: 10%
  • Film Presentation: 10%

Review topics: ["quality","shipping","looks","picture","feel","packaging","presentation","piece","documentary","doc","release","features","film","restoration","movie","extras","transfer","booklet","artwork","force","trade","watch","life","label","footage","story","capsule","hang","edition","perspective"].

Review highlights

  • "Classic and poignant documentary with great special features and booklet." — Adam K.
  • "Great doc in glorious 4K and with beautiful packaging and booklet." — Jakob P.
  • "Interesting Documentary, Excellent Remastering and cool packaging!" — Dustin S.

Reviews

Amazing documentary

"Amazing transfer of a super informative and inspiring queer doc! Great packaging and art too!"

— Tony H. (5/5)

Authentic 16mm restoration

"The transfer perfectly preserves the gritty, unpolished texture of the original 16mm footage without any heavy-handed smoothing. The documentary itself is incredibly objective, simply recording 1980s Vancouver without any moral filter or preaching. A genuinely valuable archival piece."

— JIN L. (5/5)

Great documentary.

"Very fun and interesting documentary. Wonderful video quality and a wealth of special features."

— Damon H. (5/5)

Compassionate and Eye-Opening

"A thoughtful and human documentary that offers rare insight into marginalized lives with empathy and honesty. The presentation looks strong, with natural grain and solid clarity that preserve the period feel. An important and respectfully handled release."

— Thomas L. (4/5)

Hookers on Davie

"Groundbreaking documentary ahead of its time. Brings me back to Vancouver of the early 80s. I have always wanted to see this film."

— Tania F. (5/5)

An Essential Slice of Street Life

"This is an incredible release packed full of amazing extras and restered to perfection! If you want to learn the tricks of the trade, then this is it!"

— Anders A. (5/5)

Fascinating Time Capsule

"There's not a lot of period footage (any?) I can think of that exists of the Davie Street area in 4k, let alone an entire documentary. If you're a Vancouverite, this is a no brainer."

— Kyle G. (5/5)

Must-see!

"So glad I blind-bought this. Fantastic doc; restoration looks great."

— Stefan P. (5/5)

Essential documentary

"This was my favourite CIP release of 2025. An essential documentary with an as-usual stacked disc full of supplements. I hope they put out more of these filmmaker's other documentaries."

— matthew l. (5/5)

Vital doc on 80's sex workers

"Gorgeous transfer for a vital documentary on sex work in the 1980's. A must have for documentary filmmakers."

— Ryan L. (5/5)

Q&A

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