When We Were Boys

Directed By Sarah Goodman

An observational portrait of two years in the lives of students at a private boys' school in Toronto.

  • ABOUT
  • BIO
Observational glimpse into the under the radar world of boys unfolds over two years through the experiences of Noah and Colin, two friends who attend an elite private boys' school. Documentary follows the boys as they navigate from grade eight to the senior school, playing video games, singing like angels in the choir, and alternately goofing off or napping in class.
Sarah Goodman was born in Toronto and has lived in New York, where she began making films. She is a recent alumna of the Canadian Film Centre’s Prime Time TV Writing Program and has written and directed both narrative and documentary film. Her feature documentary Army of One, 2004 Hot Docs Best Canadian Feature Documentary; 2005 Gemini (Canadian Emmy) Nomination for Best Director, and When We Were Boys, Donald Brittain Gemini Nomination for Best Documentary; Indiewire Top 10 Documentaries 2009, led to her short drama Hidden Driveway (TIFF 2011) and her award winning, critically acclaimed first feature drama Porch Stories. Her films have played at festivals such as TIFF, IDFA, Hot Docs and True/False, as well as broadcasting worldwide. Goodman has also written and directed documentary programs for television, such as the award winning National Parks Project, for networks such as BBC, Discovery, CBC, and History. She is an alumna of the TIFF Talent Lab, the Berlinale Talent Campus, and a member of the Film Fatales. Her next feature Lake 239 is in development with producer Karen Harnisch (Sleeping Giant.)