We were thrilled to have had the privilege of seeing Leonard Cohen perform live when he came out of retirement a few years ago. Since we might not get that opportunity again, we’re grateful to watch him in any context.

Filmed in 1972 by British filmmaker, Tony Palmer, Bird on a Wire follows Leonard Cohen on his European tour, with glimpses of the singer-songwriter-poet in the studio, on stage, and off-duty. Released in 1974, the original film was lost for decades, only to be found in 2009 in rusted old cans in a Hollywood warehouse. Recently restored and re-edited by Palmer the film will be screened at the Corona Theatre at 7 p.m. tonight, with Palmer on hand to tell us what it was like to make, lose, find and re-make this cinematic tribute to a Montreal legend. —JN

Purchase tickets (starting at $18.50) online or at the Corona Theatre, 2490, Notre-Dame St. W., Montreal, 514-931-2088.

Models and actresses dress with a desperate hope to be seen by Anna Wintour. But who does Anna Wintour dress to impress?

The answer is Bill Cunningham, the octogenarian New York Times photographer who bikes from street scene to soirée, capturing la crème de la crème of high society style for his columns “On the Street” and "Evening Hours.” In the new documentary film, Bill Cunningham NY, the camera is turned on the humble, unassuming pioneer of street-style photography, giving us a brief glimpse behind the lens of the man who considers fashion “the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.”

If fashion is armour, consider us a foot soldier. Which makes Mme Wintour the Commander and Chief. —JN

Bill Cunningham NY opens in Montreal on April 29 at Cinema du Parc.

Denis Gagnon has been called l’enfant terrible of Canadian fashion.

But behind the edgy designs and thick-framed glasses lies a true artist with a true passion for his work. Marking the tenth anniversary of his career, Je m’apelle Denis Gagnon follows the designer as he finishes his latest collection. The film sheds light on the less glamorous side of fashion (working out of a cave-like basement) and follows him home to meet his family in small-town Alma, Quebec.

Darling Denis, we love you even more.

Tickets from $10.63, 6:30 p.m., March 21, Maxwell Cummings Auditorium, Montreal Museum of Fine Art, 1379 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, www.artfifa.com and March 27, Cinquième Salle, Place des Arts, 175 Ste-Catherine Street W., Montreal, 514-842-2112.

Sometimes reel life is stranger than fiction. Herewith, our top doc picks.

American Teen
Like The Breakfast Club brought to life, the film follows five teens in their final year of high school. All the usual suspects—jock, nerd, princess, rebel and heartthrob—are present to reminisce about in this spirited Sundance winner. www.americanteenthemovie.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Back in the '80s, the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil was set for stardom but came up short. They never gave up on the dream though, and this funny and heartfelt movie picks up where their fame left off. www.anvilthemovie.com
Joy Pecknold,Vancouver editor

Enlighten Up!
A story of one man’s skeptical and hilarious journey to find the true meaning of yoga. The film includes interviews with renowned gurus and stunning shots of Northern India. http://enlightenupthefilm.com/
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

Paper Heart
Part documentary, part scripted film (which part is up to you to figure out), this road trip film chronicles the quirky Charlyne Yi’s quest to discover if true love really exists (Yi herself is skeptical). Along the way she begins a relationship with aw-shucks Canadian actor Michael Cera, but The Notebook this ain't. www.paperheart-movie.com
Maria Tallarico, managing editor

Surfwise
Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter produced this profile of America’s “First Family of Surfing,” the Paskowitzs: 8 brothers and a sister who grew up in a 28-foot camper with their sex-obsessed parents, teaching surfing and never going to school. A fascinating study in bohemianism, megalomania, and crazy family dynamics (makes the Royal Tenenbaums look like the Cunninghams).
www.surfwisefilm.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

The Cove
On the Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary Feature, this story of a group of filmmakers who employ rogue methods to bring to light a covert dolphin hunt on the shores of Taiji, Japan unfolds like a suspenseful thriller. www.thecovemovie.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Tyson
A heartening look at the life and career of one-time champ Mike Tyson, from his formative relationship with his boxing mentor to his self-destructive and decadent tendencies. Tyson's insight and angst is disarming. www.sonyclassics.com/tyson
Maria Tallarico, managing editor

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
With the infamous director back in the headlines for a crime he was charged with decades ago and consequently fled the country from, this Emmy-winning doc is a provoking view into the past. A follow-up film is in the works. www.romanpolanskiwantedanddesired.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Are product designers the new rock stars?

You may decide so after seeing Gary Hustwit’s latest doc, Objectified, which looks at how everyday objects from toothbrushes to door handles have become contemporary objets d’arts. This fascinating film gets into the creative minds of designers like Marc Newson, maker of the million dollar Lockheed Lounge (pictured), and Karim Rashid, the brainchild behind the Garbo plastic garbage pail.

Finally, some insight into our obsession with Ikea water glasses.

Objectified, tickets $10; until July 16 at Cinema du Parc, 3575 Parc Ave., Montreal, 514-281-1900, www.cinemaduparc.com