July 20, 2026
By Janis Cole
Michelle Mama’s tribute film to Canadian music legend Carole Pope kicked off Hot Docs with two sold out shows, went on to win Best Canadian Film at Inside Out and has been playing theatrically, with Mama and Pope thrilling audiences at select Q&As. Now CBC’s Gem is offering their not-to-be-missed documentary for free, starting this week.
In the mid to late ‘70s Rough Trade was the most exciting bar band in Toronto, attracting artists and gays to an alt/underground scene that felt freeing and safe. Pope and her Rough Trade co-founder Kevan Staples oozed star quality, their band was tight and her bold performance style was cutting-edge. The band’s loyal following believed they’d soon hit big, leaving the small bar venues behind.
When their huge radio hit, High School Confidential, broke through in ‘81 things looked good for Rough Trade but their other sexually charged dance tunes like Crimes of Passion, All Touch and Take Me got less airwave rotation. The band’s management also missed key promo opportunities, and Rough Trade fell short of the commercial popularity they fully deserved. Pope has worked as a solo artist since the band broke up in the late ‘80s, and Staples created original music until he passed away last year.
Mama’s film gives Rough Trade and Carole Pope their just due. Archival clips transport anyone who was there back to the time, and lays the foundation to explore Pope’s current situation; showing no sign of slowing down as she approaches eighty. She lives by modest, even meager means given her success, adding to her unstoppable creative determination. Along with live performances and steady writing she aims to get a Rough Trade musical off the ground. The film has a clear message; never give up on your creative dreams or stop believing in yourself. As Pope says, “Being an artist is all I know how to do”, and Mama expertly shows us how she keeps doing it. Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions is streaming on CBC Gem and CBC Gem app starting July 24th.
2026, 89 minutes. Director: Michelle Mama. Writers: Allen Booth and Mama. Producers: Bill Taylor and Mama. Editor: Sarah Bachinski.
Welcome to my inaugural post, with more landing about every two weeks. I’ll be talking about films and writing tips. Big thanks to my site manager Tim Tripp, I couldn’t have done it without you.❤️