Katie Boland is an actor (and former SDTC contributor) who stars in the new short film presented as a web series, The Date. It tells the story of a young couple who first meet at a burger joint in downtown Toronto; the pair go on to forge a tradition of dining at the same spot every year on their anniversary. Through time, viewers are given a window into the tempestuous evolution and subsequent dissolution of their relationship.

Filmmaker and screenwriter Mazi Khalighi took a freestyle approach with The Date: It’s unscripted, candid, and shot with three cameras. Boland gives a raw, heart-breaking performance. SDTC caught up with Boland to talk about Toronto, EDM and finding comfort in pizza.

SDTC: What spaces in Toronto do you find inspiring?

KB: I think I feel the most inspired dancing to rap music really late at night, so the spaces I do that in would be Baby Hueys, Parts and Labour and Weldon Park. I also walk a lot in Toronto and I get my best thinking done in Leslieville and around Trinity Bellwoods.

What aisle do you spend the most time in at the grocery store?

I actually try to get grocery shopping done as quickly as possible, but I think sometimes I linger around gluten-free breads because there are so many options and most taste so weird. Such a gamble.

Which virtue do you try to cultivate within yourself?

Patience. I’m failing.

The receipts in your wallet would indicate what?

That I spend a lot of needless money!! They would indicate that I go out to eat a lot, buy upwards of three coffees a day and a lot of ‘on sale’ dresses.

If you could reinvent your career and be something totally different, what would that be?

I think I would like to be a journalist, I could have a cool podcast (all I think about right now is Serial, clearly). I really like asking people questions about themselves and that seems like an appropriate way to ask every question I’ve ever wanted to without seeming weird.

When you dream about travel, what place in the world comes to mind?

Europe. I love London, Ireland, France. I also love New York. I would truly like to travel anywhere in the world. I think travelling is one of the most important things a person can do.

What makes you happy?

My friends. My family; my brother, my nephew, my grandparents. Rap music makes me really happy. Instagram, oddly. Unexpected connections. Going to see art; exhibits, plays, concerts. Q&As after movies. Feeling like the world is really big. Feeling like the world is really small.

What makes you cringe?

People who hate Kanye West. Also people who have really strong opinions about what other people do on social media. Like, move on. That person you vaguely know thinks they look nice enough to post a selfie today and share it with the world – that’s beautiful. Life is hard enough, let people put up what they want up and think about your own life.

What quality do you loathe most in others?

I don’t like when people are cruel or judgmental. Also I hate it when hipsters are tough nuts to crack – I’m busy, if you want to be my friend LET ME KNOW!

What, in your opinion, is overrated?

EDM AKA electronic dance music. I LOATHE IT. Also, playing it cool because it’s just a really long path to eventually being honest with yourself and everyone else. It’s better to just get it over with I think.

How do you feel about life at this moment?

Very positive. I’m really lucky. I would say I am the happiest I’ve ever been.

What quality do you value most in a lover?

It’s hard to quantify a quality – it’s more an overall feeling. Like, “Yeah, this fits.” Kindness is by far the most important but I’m attracted to people who are “jokes” and are doing something they love.

What is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday?

Probably go out on Saturday night. Also, catching up on the bad tv I’ve missed all week, eating breakfast with my mom at a diner up the street and have a coffee with one of my beautiful girlfriends I don’t see enough.

What is your comfort food?

PIZZA, unfortunately.

What word or phrase should we all use more?

I love you.

Check out Episode 1 of ‘The Date’ below.