Yeah, what I said yesterday about not expecting to see a list of films for the Toronto Film Festival until August? Yeah, ignore that. The full list may not be out until then, but they’ve got a stack of stuff confirmed already and they’re already starting to spread the word. And the word is good. New Tsukamoto! New Solondz! New Sayles! House of Flying Daggers gets the gala treatment! Here’s what they’ve announced so far with my comments where I’ve got ’em:
Being Julia – dir. Istvan Szabo
This is the opening night gala, which is a pretty big deal. From the director of Mephisto, adapted from a W. Somerset Maughm novel and starring Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons, Bruce Greenwood, Michael Gambon, Miriam Margolyes, Juliet Stevenson, Shaun Evans, Lucy Punch, Maury Chaykin, Sheila McCarthy, Rita Tushingham, and Rosemary Harris. That, boys and girls, is one quality cast.
The Holy Girl – dir. Lucrecia Martel
Somersault – dir. Cate Shortland
The Woodsman – dir. Nicole Kassell
This is already generating a lot of buzz thanks to Kevin Bacon’s portrayal of a convicted serial killer. Supposedly very good, very challenging stuff and word is Bacon’s incredible in it.
Brodeuses Рdir. Eléonore Faucher
Walk on Water – dir. Eytan Fox
Brothers – dir. Susanne Bier
A Hole In My Heart – dir. Lukas Moodysson
The latest from the acclaimed director of Lilya 4 Ever
Vital – dir. Shinya Tsukamoto
HOT DAMN! This is the North American premiere of the newest film from the director of Tetsuo The Iron Man and Snake of June. I love Tsukamoto’s work and he just seems to be getting better every time out. This one stars Tadanobu Asano – probably my favorite Japanese star – which just makes it that much better. This is right up at the top of my ‘must see’ list.
The Dead – dir. Lisandro Alonso
Tarnation – dir. Jonathan Caouette
This one’s a Canadian premiere, executive produced by Gus Van Sant. All you people who adore El Mariachi because it was made so cheap, this one had a total budget of $218.32. That’s not a typo.
Theme Je Рdir. Françoise Romand
Drum – dir. Zola Mesko
A South African film about the rise of apartheid starring Taye Diggs.
Forgiveness – dir. Ian Gabriel
Max and Mona – dir. Teddy Matterra
Zulu Love Letter – dir. Ramadan Suleyman
A South African Love Story – dir. Tony Strasborg
A documentary about Walter and Albertina Sisulu, early leaders of the African National Congress and mentors to Nelson Mandela.
Cape of Good Hope – dir. Mark Bamford
Mozart – The Music of the Violin – dir. Mickey Dube
Notre Musique – dir. Jean-Luc Godard
The North American premiere of the newest film from the renowned French master.
A Toute De Suite Рdir. Benoît Jacquot
Salvador Allende – dir. Patricio Guzm√°n
Demain en Demenage – dir. Chantal Akerman
Silver City – dir. John Sayles
The latest from one of the finest living American film makers, Silver City is a biting political satire starring Chris Cooper and Richard Dreyfuss.
Enduring Love – dir. Roger Michell
The latest from the director of The Mother and Notting Hill looks to be taking a bit of a darker turn. Stars Rhys Ifans and the always excellent Samantha Morton as strangers thrust together by a freak ballooning accident. Okay, yeah, it’s a ballooning accident, but seriously, it sounds pretty dark …
P.S. – dir. Dylan Kidd
Second film from the director of Rodger Dodger. Kidd has assembled an incredible cast – Laura Linney, Topher Grace, Marcia Gay Harden, Gabriel Byrne, Lois Smith, Paul Rudd – for this story of a relationship between a middle aged woman and a younger man.
Palindromes – dir. Todd Solondz
The North American premiere of the latest film from the always controversial Solondz – director of Happiness and Welcome to the Dollhouse. Palindromes is the story of a twelve year old girl who wants to get pregnant. Stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ellen Barkin (!?!), Shayna Levine, Stephen Singer, and Chris Penn.
House of Flying Daggers – dir. Zhang Yimou
Whee! Not only is it coming to the festival but it’s getting the full on gala treatment! The Toronto Festival has been a frequent launching pad for Oscar success – American Beauty, anyone? – and it looks as though Sony’s taking that tack here. I’ve got to get me a gala ticket for this … they’ve not confirmed it directly thus far, but gala presentations pretty much always have the director and stars in attendance.
Red Dust – dir. Tom Hooper
Another gala presentation, this one revolving around South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commision. Stars Hillary Swank, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jamie Barlett, Marius Weyers and Ian Roberts.
Ray – dir. Taylor Hackford
Another gala presentation, and a world premiere, Ray stars Jamie Foxx in a bio-pic about Ray Charles. Also stars Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Terrence Dashon Howard, Larenz Tate, Richard Schiff, and Regina King.
As always there are lots of films and lots of directors that I know nothing about and for me this is one of the great appeals of a festival like this. It’s not only a chance to get a first look at new films from established talent but it provides a chance to find new talent from around the world that you’d never come across otherwise. This initial salvo includes a lot of impressive stuff, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg for a festival that features well over three hundred films a year …
