Kingston’s music scene takes centre stage in Still Alive in Kingston.
Premiering last Sunday March 2, at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF), Still Alive in Kingston tells the heartfelt story of an entertainment journalist seeking the fame he once enjoyed by highlighting local musical talent. Written and directed by Jay Middaugh and starring Bill Welychka in a role abstractly based on his own experiences, Still Alive features Welychka and his ex-wife, played Anna Sudac, working together to revive Welychka’s career.
Welychka is a Canadian broadcaster and TV personality, best known for his work on the Canadian TV show MuchMusic. The show covered Canadian music from coast to coast, shining a spotlight on local talent.
The film follows Welychka as he makes his demo reel, paying tribute to the immense talent Kingston has to offer. By interviewing some of Kingston’s local bands, Still Alive highlights the importance of community in any endeavour. Premiering at KCFF25, the film was met with a warm welcome as the audience laughed along at the comedic yet touching script and actively participated in the Q&A following the screening.
Middaugh began working on Still Alive in 2024 pitching the idea to producer Zane Whitfield. Over the course of the year, the team behind Still Alive received immense from the community to bring the project to life.
“We owe so much to so many community partners, like the Humane Society” Middaugh said in a statement to The Journal, sharing the story of how the Kingston Humane Society let the team film during their anniversary celebration in Market Square. Middaugh expressed his gratitude to the owners of all the venues featured, such as the Kingston Flying Club, YourTV and Queen’s Film, who allowed the crew to film.
Opening with his efforts to clear his name during an internet scandal, Still Alive follows Welychka as he navigates an unexpected reunion with his ex-spouse and rekindles his ion for entertainment journalism. Along the way, he becomes captivated by Kingston’s vibrant arts scene, embracing its unique charm and creative energy.
Including artists such as Kasador, Oakridge Ave. and Abby Stewart, Still Alive is an ode to local musical talent.
“Still Alive in Kingston is a love letter to the Kingston music scene,” Middaugh shared.
The director hopes the audience will feel inspired to dig deeper into the talent Kingston has to offer, maybe even finding a new favourite band.
“After the premiere, I got a text from a friend, saying she had a new list of bands to look into, and that’s a pretty satisfying thing to hear. Exposing these great musical acts to a wider audience is definitely a big part of our mission statement,” Middaugh said.
In addition to smaller interviews with featured artists, Still Alive also included a moment with one of Kingston’s greatest musical success stories, Rob Baker of The Tragically Hip. Baker offers Welychka sage advice: to appreciate the present moment and not worry too intensely about how he’s perceived or his career momentum. This heartfelt exchange adds depth to the film, a touching addition to the celebratory interviews.
Beyond painting a portrait of local artists, Still Alive in Kingston depicts the complex and heartwarming relationship between Welychka and Sudac.
Though leading separate lives with unique individual goals, the two come together in the film to each other in a time of need. The emotional turmoil and occasionally competitive nature of their relationship comes to a head in the final scene, where the two go their separate ways, ultimately wishing each other the best.
Welychka was a complex, funny, and ultimately likeable protagonist. By telling the story of the Kingston art scene, Middaugh and the team behind Still Alive contribute meaningfully to the positive but sometimes underappreciated narrative of local arts in Kingston.
Middaugh explained how films like Still Alive uplift local art, “I think journalism, especially local journalism, provides an essential function in sharing and building culture in a community.”
With its mix of humour, nostalgia, and poignant reflection, Still Alive in Kingston serves as a testament to the collaborative spirit that keeps Kingston’s arts scene alive.
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