The GATE » Toronto International Film Festival

Ruba Nadda on her new film, ‘Cairo Time’

W. Andrew Powell — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:15:23 +0000

Ruba Nadda on the set of 'Cairo Time'

The Toronto International Film Festival is a tremendous annual event for a lot of different reasons, but one of the best parts of the festival is the chance to meet great Canadian filmmakers who often don’t get the attention they deserve.

At this year’s event, one of my highlights was the opportunity to interview writer and director Ruba Nadda, who was at the festival for her latest feature film, Cairo Time, which stars Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig in a drama about a married woman who finds love with another man on vacation.

This was actually not my first interview with Nadda, a filmmaker I met over eight years ago when she was just beginning to make a name for herself with films like Damascus Nights, Slut, and Laila.

Sitting down with her at the restaurant in the Intercontinental hotel near Yorkville, I chatted with her about the filmmaking process, how she got her two stars involved, and generally what it feels like to bring her film to audiences after three years of work. Here’s what she had to say about her new film, which opens in Canada today, October 9.

Watch the interview:

TIFF Gallery: ‘The Men Who Stare At Goats’ press conference

W. Andrew Powell — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:36:32 +0000

Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, and George Clooney

Although everyone kept their cool, it was easy to imagine that a few hearts were aflutter on Friday, September 11 when George Clooney and Ewan McGregor arrived at the Toronto International Film Festival press conference for their new film, The Men Who Stare at Goats.

Joining the duo on the stage were actor Jeff Bridges, director Grant Heslov, author Jon Ronson, and screenplay writer Peter Straughan, but to be honest, the focus was clearly on Clooney, thanks at least in part to numerous questions directed at the star.

The satirical comedy is set to be released on November 6, 2009, and follows Clooney and McGregor’s characters as they investigate the U.S. military’s plans to deploy soldiers with paranormal abilities.

Here are a few pictures from the event, possibly to get your heart aflutter as well:

TIFF ‘09 capsule reviews, including ‘An Education’, ‘Cairo Time’, ‘Bright Star’

Christine Estima — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:55:50 +0000

Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig in Cairo Time

Critically-acclaimed stars and over-exposed starlets have descended on Hollywood North for the largest public film festival in the world, and the hype surrounding this year’s TIFF selections is in full force. From another political thriller from George Clooney (Men Who Stare At Goats), and Jennifer’s Body, a Megan Fox vehicle which adds to the commercial-tweenification of horror films, to Mariah Carey’s Oscar-buzz performance in Precious, there are in fact too many must-see films for this one reviewer to see. But there are some rather quiet TIFF selections, not concerned at all with hype, which undoubtedly very few film critics will bother reviewing. That’s where I come in! Defender of the quiet, indie, low-PR flick! Protector of the sans-celebrity movie! Creator of this What To See and What To Miss list at TIFF! Now go forth, festival-ize yourself. And prosper.

An Education, dir Lone Sherfig, with Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Peter Saarsgard, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper

Behind The Scenes: Nick Hornby, who wrote the screenplay, is also responsible for About A Boy, Slam, Fever Pitch and High Fidelity. If you’ve read any of these novels, you know he specializes in coming-of-age youth stories. An Education is no different. Insert predictability factor here.

Story: Carey Mulligan plays Jenny, a cello-playing, Parisian-obsessed Catholic school girl in 1961 Twickenham who meets a suave, cavalier, high-rolling older man (played by Peter Saarsgard) and begins to experience all the adult pleasures of haute-couture, fine dining, extravagant holidays and London’s high society, putting her school work and future university education in peril. As their relationship progresses, secrets are revealed and yadda yadda yadda.

Reality: After viewers get over the fact that this film feels like a reunion of the Keira Knightley co-stars (Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper), you’ll probably enjoy Mulligan’s breakthrough performance which is loaded with heart but reigned in with a solid resolve. However, the film follows a formula from Act 1 to denouement, and it’s hard to feel the high stakes, if any, involved.

Verdict: Only if you’re looking to kill a few hours.

Cairo Time, dir Ruba Nadda, with Patricia Clarkson, Alexander Siddig, Tom McCamus

Behind The Scenes: Although shot entirely in Egypt, this is a Canadian funded and produced film. Some may recognize Canadian actor Tom McCamus from several of his roles in the films of Atom Egoyan. Many will recognize British-raised Alexander Siddig from his 7-year-stint on Star Trek: Deep Space 9 (then billed as Siddig El Fadil), but also from his more prominent roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as Syriana and Kingdom of Heaven.

Story: Juliette (Clarkson) is in Cairo to visit her husband who has been away for many months on a UN mission, but due to conflicts is unavailable, and sends his colleague and trusted friend Tareq (Siddig) to keep her company and show her around. Cultural clashes and mutual understanding blossom into a friendship, and then something more.

Reality: What’s fascinating here is the non-sexuality of this transnational love affair. There’s no heated passion, not even any forbidden hand-holding or kisses. Director Nadda has crafted a story that shows not all love-affairs are based on sex. This is one of emotion and quiet respect. The city of Cairo is as much a character here as the people involved. The Nile, the Pyramids, the hooka bars, the bustling markets, and the jewellery shops all have their significant roles to play. And the colourful Cairo city-scape adds a high-gloss sheen to a film already loaded with substance.

Verdict: Don’t miss it!

Cooking With Stella, dir Dilip Mehta, with Don McKellar, Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray

Behind The Scenes: written by Canadian Deepa Mehta, infamous for her Water-Earth-Fire trilogy and Bollywood/Hollywood, she is reunited with Lisa Ray who starred in several of those films, and Seema Biswas who gave a memorable performance in Water.

Story: Set in the Canadian embassy compound in Delhi, India, McKellar and Ray play Michael and Maya, transferred to live in the compound from Toronto. Maya is an embassy official and brings home the bacon, while Michael is a stay-at-home Dad and former chef still indulging in his love affair with food. Stella (Biswas) is their scheming maid who uses every opportunity to skin off the top and profit from her less-than-saavy Canadian employers. But when Michael asks her to teach him the intricacies of Indian cookery, a sacred teacher-student relationship is formed – a relationship that could crumble when the new nanny threatens to expose Stella and all her scheming.

Reality: It’s dangerous territory to make a film where the Indians are treacherous, selfish, hucksters and the white people are innocent hard-working victims. But this film feels less like a comment on thievery in India and more like a light-hearted screwball comedy. We root for the hilarious thieves, and yet still root for the dizzy-headed victims. Those looking to engage in a love-affair with food, à la Chocolat or Julie & Julia, will be somewhat disappointed as the cooking scenes are very few and lack passion or emphasis. Which begs the question, why is even this called Cooking with Stella?

Verdict: Skip it.

Bright Star, dir Jane Campion, with Abbie Cornish Ben Whishaw

Behind The Scenes: Those already familiar with director Jane Campion’s work, such as 1993’s Oscar-sweeping The Piano, know they can expect a sumptuous, ornate film of colour and beauty. She’s cast fellow Australian Abbie Cornish, who last made waves as a junkie in Candy, opposite Heath Ledger in one of his final performances, and Ben Whishaw who made his mark as serial killer Grenouille in Perfume. Based on their published letters, this film explores the famous love affair between canonized Romantic poet John Keats and his neighbour Fanny Brawne in 1813’s Hampstead Heath. It makes good employ of Keats’ actual poetry, and is named after the poem written for and about Brawne.

Story: Keats (Whishaw) is a penniless poet struggling to sell even 20 copies of his book, and Brawne (Cornish) is his headstrong neighbour with a flair for creating striking fashions and putting bothersome men in their place with her clever wit. Brawne doesn’t think much of Keats as a person or poet until she learns of his delicate care of his dying brother Tom, another victim to the TB epidemic, and offers compassion and solace in his hour of mourning. They fall in love slowly and tenderly, through brief encounters and an ardent exchange of letters, but Keats lack of fortune prevents them from marrying. Then Keats’ health begins to fail, and things begin to look grave.

Reality: Campion shows love here as a very subtle thing, seen in elongated glances, butterflies dancing in the air, slight brushes of hands, the wind billowing up a curtain, or quiet knocks on a shared wall. Tree tops and flowered-laden meadows and wet marshes are all put to good use here, as Campion uses natural light and colour and scenery to pepper her film. So it’s surprising when the sexual tension seems to just gallop off the screen. Romantic poetry suddenly becomes something sizzling and fervent. Abbie Cornish does not disappoint, her performance is gut-wrenching and achingly bittersweet, while Ben Whishaw makes every gesture and emotion seem effortless.

Verdict: Don’t miss it, even if you’re on your TB death bed!!

The Wild Hunt, dir Alexandre Franchi, with Mark Antony Krupa, Ricky Mabe

Behind The Scenes: Set and filmed entirely at Duché de Bicolline, a role-playing venue near Shawinigan, Quebec. Mark Antony Krupa also co-wrote the script.

Story: Erik (Mabe) goes searching for his estranged girlfriend at a Medieval re-enactment camp where his brother Bjorn (Krupa) is also participating in the role-playing “Wild Hunt:” the Celts battling the Vikings in a weekend-long extravaganza. Sporting flounced dressed, fat steel swords, Norse horned-hats, and Medieval armour that puts Braveheart to shame, Erik and Bjorn set out into the forest on a quest to save the Princess girlfriend from the evil King she has left Erik for. Without breaking character and always dressing accordingly, of course. But mirroring the ancient Norse myths and legends this film is based on, the battle re-enactment and real life are about to get very bloody and deadly for this group of geeky boys who bruise easily.

Reality: Forgiving the fact that Krupa looks eerily like Don Henley, this film offers moments of sheer geekdom-hilarity and brutal violence that don’t mesh as well as they could have, Krupa, although in a supporting role, is the shining beacon of this film, fanatically-obsessed with leading the Vikings to victory, and always sporting an awesome blonde wig. His performance is a blend humour with humility, but he’s not enough to save this all-over-the-place modern retelling, that by Act 3, has confused you so much, you’ve stopped caring.

Verdict: Skip it.

Broken Embraces, dir Pedro Almodovar, with Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar

Behind the Scenes: Almodovar has always used his films as homages to his of-the-moment muses and the process of filmmaking itself, and Broken Embraces is no different, this time worshipping the goddess that is Penelope Cruz, who starred in previous TIFF entry Volver. Almodovar also makes tongue-in-cheek references to his previous film Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1988). Keep an eye out for Rossy de Palma, star of Mujeres… who makes a cameo.

Story: Henry Caine (Homar) is a blind screenwriter who is paid a cryptic visit by the son of his former producer, Ernesto Martel. Their very brief encounter brings a flood of memories back to Caine: the film he never finished editing, the star of the film Lena (Penelope Cruz) whom he fell in love with, her unhappy marriage with Martel, and the tragedy that ended their affair and took his sight. Caine’s agent Judit (Blanca Portillo) and her son Diego (Tamar Novas) get drawn into the drama when the truth about their relationship is revealed as well. As Caine relives the experience of filming the ill-fated movie, the movie within the movie unfolds before him. Confused yet? Join the club.

Reality: Almodovar is a master of the sexual psychological thriller, utilizing all elements in equal forceful measure – voice-overs, flashbacks, spooky soundtrack music and blatant sexuality. Unfortunately, this genre of film died out after 1993’s Sliver, along with Sharon Stone’s career. Several times throughout this movie-within-a-movie thriller, the characters can be quoted as saying, “This kind of stuff only happens in a movie!” Very true, all the tropes of a predictable thriller are here – forbidden lovers killed, jealous husbands, the “he’s-really-your-father” revelation, a film-within-a-film scenario, and the big confession in the end where everyone’s secrets are exposed. This film works better satirizing the genre than actually as a serious addition to it. Many scenes are laughably histrionic, feel dated, and in many ways underestimate the intelligence of the audience. The only benefit from sitting through this 120+ minutes wank-fest is getting to see Penelope Cruz’s mesmerizing face in every scene. I may be a straight woman, but I could watch her strut her stuff on the silver screen happily for days. So creating an ode to her here is understandable. But after La Mala Educacion, Almodovar should have called it a day.

Verdict: Skip it.

TIFF Gallery: ‘Jennifer’s Body’ red carpet

W. Andrew Powell — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:36:13 +0000

Megan Fox on the red carpet for Jennifer's Body

Writer Diablo Cody, director Karyn Kusama, and star Megan Fox helped kick off the Midnight Madness programme at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, September 10 with the gala red carpet for their horror film, Jennifer’s Body.

Select members of the cast, including Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Josh Emerson, Valerie Tian, and Adam Brody were on hand as well, in addition to producer Jason Reitman and his father, Ivan Reitman.

Check out the gallery of photos below from the red carpet:

TIFF Gallery: ‘Creation’ red carpet

W. Andrew Powell — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:07:47 +0000

Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany on the red carpet for Creation

On Thursday, September 10 director Jon Amiel’s film Creation, about the life of Charles Darwin, opened the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival with a gala red carpet event at Roy Thomson Hall. On hand to walk the carpet were stars Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, screenwriter John Colle, not to mention the great-great-grandson of Darwin, Randal Keynes.

Check out photos below from the red carpet event:

A tour inside TIFF’s Bell Lightbox

W. Andrew Powell — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:20:19 +0000

A preliminary design of Bell Lightbox

Before the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival started this year, I was lucky enough to preview something that has been in production for over two and a half years, and will end up shaping the future of the event, and organization, immensely.

I’m not talking about a film or anything else quite as ephemeral though. The preview I glimpsed is all concrete, glass and steel, but in the next year it will undergo a transformation to become the year-round home for the Toronto International Film Festival.

Yes, my little sneak peek was actually a tour of the soon-to-be-completed Bell Lightbox.

Currently under construction at the corner of King Street and John Street in downtown Toronto, Bell Lightbox is the result of years of work and planning, bringing together the TIFF offices inside a multi-use space that includes exhibition halls, theatres, and education areas.

Supported by the Canadian and Ontario governments, a number of companies, and situated on land that was donated by filmmaker Ivan Reitman and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels, not to mention the Daniels Corporation, Bell Lightbox will be a state-of-the-art facility that I personally can’t wait to see completed.

While the video below will give you an early glimpse into the halls of the impressive space, there are a lot of notable extras worth mentioning.

For one thing, the theatres in the space are all constructed using a “box within a box system” that isolates each room from outside noise. Bell Lightbox artistic director Noah Cowan, who led the tour of the building, suggested this system would give theatre-goers “among the most pristine viewing experiences one can actually have in a cinema.”

Also notable is the fact that TIFF’s Lightbox will be open 364 days a year. “The day that we’re most likely to be closed,” Cowan joked, is not Christmas or even Boxing Day, “[it is] the day after the Film Fest. For cleanup.” Although he also said the theatres will likely be dark one morning and afternoon weekly – probably Mondays.

The other great news for local film fans is the fact that Bell Lightbox also has space on the first floor for large exhibits which, prior to this, have not existed in Toronto. A great example of that is the fact that the Tim Burton exhibit, which is currently on display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, will be at Lightbox starting November 2010.

It is also interesting to note that the entire building will be wired for video, for both capture and broadcast, and on a different note, the fifth floor will house the Canadian Film Heritage Gallery, a brand new space that will give people a new opportunity to explore Canada’s film history.

Currently, TIFF plans to have Bell Lightbox officially open for October of 2010, but Cowan noted that as long as there are no construction delays, we can expect to see a few events taking place within the building during the 2010 TIFF.

You can find out more about Bell Lightbox at www.belllightbox.ca.

Watch some highlights from the tour:

List of stars attending the 2009 TIFF

W. Andrew Powell — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:39:40 +0000

2009 Toronto International Film Festival poster

The Toronto International Film Festival revealed the final details for this year’s event, announcing the remaining films that will make their debut as well as the full list of celebrities expected in the city.

Some highlights from the massive list include directors Neil Jordan, Jason Reitman, Steven Soderbergh, Michael Moore, George A. Romero, Werner Herzog, and Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. While actors include George Clooney, Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Colin Firth, Colin Farrell, Michael Douglas, Michael Sheen, Michael Cera, Sir Michael Caine, Naomi Watts, Ellen Page, Rani Mukerji, Woody Harrelson, Til Schweiger, Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Priyanka Chopra, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Paul Dano, Eva Green and Viggo Mortensen.

The 2009 TIFF runs from September 10 to 19 and single tickets go on sale September 4. Visit www.tiff.net for more information, and stay tuned to The GATE for more festival coverage.

The full list of stars is below, listed alphabetically by first name.

A to D:
Aaron Schneider, Abbie Cornish, Abhay Deol, Adam Brody, Adam Scott, Adrián Biniez, Ahmad Abdalla, Aidan Quinn, Aksel Hennie, Alan Jacobs, Alejandro Amenábar, Alex Craig, Alexander David, Alexander De Jordy, Alexander Siddig, Alexandre Franchi, Alexia Fast, Alfred Molina, Alia Shawkat, Alla Kovgan, Ally Sheedy, Amanda Seyfried, Amber Heard, Ameríca Olivo, Amos Gitaï, Amy Kirwan, Ana de la Reguera, Ana Kokkinos, Anatole Taumban, André Dussollier, Andrea Arnold, Andrew James, Andrew Nikiforuk, Andrew Wilson, Anne Dorval, Anne-Marie Caicco, Annet Malherbe, Anthony LaPaglia, Anurag Singh, Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, Arnaud Larrieu, Arnobio Salazar Rivas, Arsinée Khanjian, Ashutosh Gowariker, Asli Özge, Atef Yousef, Atom Egoyan, Aya Soliman

Barbara Sukowa, Barry Levinson, Ben Barnes, Ben Bruhmuller, Ben Hollingsworth, Ben Russell, Ben Whishaw, Bernard Émond, Bill Murray, Bill Nighy, Blaine Thurier, Bob Richman, Bobby Del Rio, Bong Joon-ho, Brenda Blethyn, Brian Cox, Brigitte Berman, Brendan Gleeson, Bruce Beresford, Bruce Raino, Bruce Sweeney, Bruno Dumont, Bryan Brown, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Bui Thac Chuyen

Caitriona Cantillon, Cam Cronin, Candice Breitz, Carey Mulligan, Carl Bessai, Carlos Carrera, Carlos Saura, Caroline Monnet, Carter Gunn, Catherine Corsini, Celines Toribio, Cesc Gay, Charles Kernaghan, Chelsea McMullan, Chris Chong Chan Fui, Chi Cao, Chris Kennedy, Chris Landreth, Chris Rock, Chris Smith, Christian Carion, Christopher Plummer, Cillian Murphy, Ciro Guerra, Claire Denis, Claire McCarthy, Clive Owen, Coleen Fitzgibbon, Colin Farrell, Colin Firth, Colm Feore, Connie Nielsen, Cordell Barker, Corey Adams, Cornelia Foss, Corneliu Porumboiu, Cristian Mungiu, Cristin Milioti

Dagur Kári, Damjan Kozole, Dan Fallshaw, Daniel Barber, Daniel Ellsberg, Daniel Monzon, Daniel Stern, Danis Tanovic, Dany Boon, Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Danny Lerner, David Duchovny, David Fox, David Gatten, David Kross, Deborra-Lee Furness, Demi Moore, Denis Côté, Denise Quiñones, Derrick Borte, Detlev Buck, Dev Benegal, Dev Khanna, Diablo Cody, Dilip Mehta, Dima El-Horr, Do Hai Yen, Dominic Cooper, Don Argott, Don Hahn, Don McKellar, Don Roos, , Doron Paz, Dorothée van den Berghe, Drew Barrymore, Dror Keren, Dusty Mancinelli, Dyana Gaye, Dylan Akio Smith, Dylan Reibling

E to K:
Ed Gass-Donnelly, Ed Mendoza, Edward Norton, Elias Koteas, Elipidia Carrillo, Ellen Page, Émile Proulx-Cloutier, Emily Blunt, Emily Hampshire, Emily Lape, Emily Mortimer, Emmett Malloy, Erik Gandini, Erin Cummings, Ermek Tursunov, Ernie Dingo, Ernie Gehr, Ethan Coen, Eva Green, Eve, Ewan McGregor

Fatih Akin, Félix Dufour-Laperrière, Félix Lajeunesse, Felix van Groeningen, Frances O’Connor, Francesca Gregorini, François Ozon, Frederick Wiseman, Friedl vom Gröller, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Friedl vom Gröller (Kubelka)

Gabourey Sidibe, Gabriel Thibaudeau, Gabrielle Rose, Gary Magness, Gary Yates, Gaspar Noé, Gaspard Ulliel, Geoffrey Fletcher, Geoffrey Smith, George A. Romero, George Clooney, Georgina Reilly, Giuseppe Capotondi, Giuseppe Piccioni, Giuseppe Tornatore, Glendyn Ivin, Golam Rabbany Biplob, Goran Paskaljevic, Gordon Pinsent, Granaz Moussavi, Grant Heslov, Gregory Smith, Gulsharat Zhubayeva, Xiaolu Guo, Guy Maddin

Haim Tabakman, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Hany Adel, Harman Baweja, Harmony Korine, He Ping, Hélène Florent, Hemky Madera, Henrique Goldman, Hiam Abbass, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Ho Yuhang, Horacio Camandulle, Hugh Hefner

Ian Fitzgibbon, Igor Drljaca, Isaac Cravit, Isabella Rossellini, Ismail Necmi, Ivan Grbovic,

J Blakeson, Jack White, Jacob Tierney, Jacques Audiard, James Purefoy, Jamie Travis, Jan Kounen, Jane Campion, Jason Lehel, Jason Reitman, Jaume Balagueró, Javorn Drummond, Jay Baruchel, Jean Yoon, Jean-Marc Vallée, Jean-Marie Larrieu, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Garner, Jérémie Renier, Jesper Ganslandt, Jessica Romero, Jessie Marchessault-Brown, Jim Jennings, Jimmy Smits, João Pedro Rodrigues, Joe Dante, Joe Raico, Joel Bissonnette, Joel Coen, John Greyson, John Hillcoat, John Powers, John Pyper-Ferguson, Johnnie To, Johnny Hallyday, Jon Amiel, Jonathan King, Jools Topp, Jordan Scott, Josef Dabernig, Josh Crook, Joshua Ligairi, Juan Fernandez, Juan José Campanella, Judith Ehrlich, Julia Voth, Julianne Moore, Juliette Lewis, Julio Andrade, Juno Temple

Karyn Kusama, Katarzyna Roslaniec, Kate del Castillo, Kazik Radwanski, Keanu Reeves, Keir Gilchrist, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Kevin McDonald, Kevin Spacey, Kerry Washington, Khaled Abol Naga, Klaus Lutz, Koji Yakusho, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, Kristen Hager, Kristin Booth, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kyle MacLachlan

L to R:
Laara Sadiq, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, Laz Alonso, Lea Nakonechny, Leanne Pooley, Lee Daniels, Leon Prudovsky, Liam Neeson, Linda Theodosakis, Lisa Kudrow, Lisa Ray, Lluís Homar, Landon Pigg, Lou Ye, Lu Chuan, Luca Guadagnino, Lucas Black, Luis Ortega, Lynda Topp

Mads Mikkelsen, Maneel de Oliveira, Manny Perez, Marc Bendavid, Marc Levin, Marica Gay Harden, Marciano Martinez, Marco Bellocchio, Margaret Corkery, Margarethe von Trotta, Margreth Olin, María Valverde, Mariah Carey, Marina Gioti, Mark A. Krupa, Mark Lewis, Mark Rendall, Martin Pieter Zandvliet, Matt Damon, Matthew Bissonnette, Matthias Emcke, Matthias Schoenaerts, Megan Fox, Meghan Greeley, Mehran Tamadon, Sir Michael Caine, Michael Cera, Michael Douglas, Michael J. Bassett, Michael Moore, Michael Sheen, Michael Snow, Michael Spierig, Michael Tucker, Michael Caine, Michèle Hozer, Miguel Arteta, Mika Kaurismäki, Mike Escareal Sandejas, Mike Hoolboom, Min Sook Lee, Minae Noji, Mio Adilman, Miranda Otto, Miranda Richardson, Mogens Hagedorn

Naomi Watts, Natalie Lisinska, Natalie Portman, Neil Diamond, Neil Jordan, Neils Arestrup, Nick Stringer, Nicky Hamlyn, Nicolas Cage, Nicolás Pereda, Nicolas Winding Refn, Niki Caro, Nikos Theodosakis, Nina Ivanišin, Niv Klainer

Ole Bornedal, Olga Kurylenko, Oliver Hermanus, Oliver Parker, Oprah Winfrey, Oscar Ruiz Navia, Ounie Lecomte

Pablo Stoll, Paco Plaza, Paprika Steen, Paramita Nath, Pat Mills, Patricia Clarkson, Patricia Ellsberg, Patxi Amézcua, Paul Anthony, Paul Bettany, Paul Dano, Paul Fierlinger, Paul Raphaël, Paul Schneider, Paula Patton, Pedro González-Rubio, Pedro Pires, Pen-Ek Rataruang, Penélope Cruz, Peter Berg, Peter Mettler, Peter Raymont, Peter Sarsgaard, Peter Spierig, Peter Stebbings, Peter Wellington, Petra Epperlein, Petra Woschniak, Pham Linh Dan, Phil Gordon, Philip Hoffman, Philippe van Leeuw, Priyanka Chopra

Qin Lan

Rachael Scdoris, Rachel Korine, Rachel Ward, Rachel Wilson, Radha Mitchell, Ran Danker, Randall Okita, Rani Mukherjee, Raoul Peck, Raphaël Nadjari, Rebecca Miller, Reginald Harkema, Renato De Maria, Renée O’Connor , Ricardo Darín, Riccardo Scamarcio, Richard de Klerk, Richard Kerr, Rick Goldsmith, Rick Jacobson, Ricky Gervais, Sir Ridley Scott, Rigoberto Perezcano, Rob Lowe, Rob King, Rob Stefaniuk, Robert Connolly, Robert Duvall, Robert Perry, Roberto Hernández, Robin Wright Penn, , Rodrigo Garcia, Rodrigo Vélez, Romalito Mallari, Romola Garai, Ron Melendez, Ross McDonnell, Rossana Torres, Rossif Sutherland, Ruba Nadda, Rupert Friend, Ruth Gruber, Ruth Nirere, Ryan Mullins, Ryan Robbins,

S to Z:
S. Epatha Merkerson, Sacheen Littlefeather, Samantha Morton, Samer Najari, Sami Khan, Samuel Maoz, Sandra Fierlinger, Sapphire, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Sarah Watt, Satoko Yokohama, Scandar Copti, Scott Hicks, Sean Byrne, Sebastián Cordero, Sebastjan Henrickson, Serge Bromberg, Shahidul Alam Shacchu, Shalizeh Arefpour, Shanti Roney, Shauna Cross, Sheila McCarthy, Sherri Shepherd, Sherry White, Shirin Neshat, Sissy Spacek, Snoop Dogg, Soi Cheang, Sonya Di Rienzo, Sook-Yin Lee, Spencer Maybee, Stan Herman, Stephen Poliakoff, Steven Soderbergh, Susanne Schneider, Suzana Amaral

T. Marie, Suzanne Clément, Tahar Rahim, Tatiana von Furstenberg, Ted Kotcheff, Terry Gilliam, Tiio Horn, Til Schweiger, Tilda Swinton, Tim Blake Nelson, Timothy Olyphant, Todd Solondz, Tom Ford, Tom Hooper, Tracy Wright, Trevor Anderson, Tsai Ming-liang, Tygh Runyan, Tyler Perry

Ute Aurand

Valery Todorovsky, Vera Farmiga, Vic Sarin, Victoria Thaine, Viggo Mortensen, Vikram Jayanti, Vimukthi Jayasundara, Violeta Ayala

Wan Ma Cai Dan, Werner Herzog, Willem Dafoe, Woody Harrelson

Xavier Dolan, Xavier Samuel

Yaron Shani, Yoav Paz, Yoichi Sai, Yorgos Lanthimos, Yousry Nasrallah

Zippi Brand Frank, Zoe Sandejas.

‘Daybreakers’ debuting at TIFF’s Midnight Madness

W. Andrew Powell — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:52:44 +0000

Ethan Hawke in Daybreakers

Earlier today the Toronto International Film Festival confirmed that Daybreakers, Ethan Hawke’s latest film, had been chosen to screen during this year’s Midnight Madness.

The film, which was directed by Peter and Michael Spierig, is set in 2019 after a plague has turned most of the Earth’s population into vampires.

Farming the remaining humans as a source of blood, the world is on the brink of collapse, and the human race is nearing extinction. The only hope is that a vampire scientist, played by Hawke, can find a blood substitute.

Sam Neill co-stars as Charles, a character described in the press notes as a “capitalistic blood baron” and Willem Dafoe plays Elvis, the leader of the human survivors.

Watch the trailer here:

Daybreakers - poster

‘Creation’ will open 2009 TIFF

W. Andrew Powell — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:45:22 +0000

Paul Bettany as Charles Darwin in Creation

Early this week the Toronto International Film Festival announced details for some of this year’s gala and special presentations that will appear at the annual event in September. During the press conference, TIFF CEO and director Piers Handling, and festival co-director Cameron Bailey also revealed details for the opening night film, which ended up being a big surprise for long-time festival fans.

In what might be called an unusual choice, this year’s TIFF opening gala is not a Canadian feature film. For the 34th annual TIFF, the festival chose director Jon Amiel’s Creation, a drama and psychological thriller that examines the life of Charles Darwin.

Paul Bettany stars as Charles Darwin, while Jennifer Connelly co-stars as Darwin’s wife, Emma, in a story that revolves around Darwin’s troubled relationship with his very religious wife. The story follows the turmoil in Darwin’s life as his relationship is strained with his wife when he begins to question the existence of God.

“The tension between faith and reason is prominent in contemporary culture and this intimate look at Darwin puts a human face on a man whose theory remains controversial to this day,” said Handling. “We are pleased to open the festival with such an impassioned look at Charles Darwin, especially on the year marking the 200th anniversary of his birth.”

Although Creation seems like a great choice for the festival, numerous Canadian media outlets have questioned the decision, which some suggest could put Canadian films on the figurative back burner. On the other hand, the decision also proves that the festival is open to changes, and in this case, could provide festival goers with a unique opening night.

The festival otherwise announced three gala films, including the world premier of director Aaron Schneider’s Get Low; the Norwegian film, Max Manus; and festival circuit favorite, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.

A total of 19 special presentations were also announced, most notably:

Jane Campion’s historical drama, Bright Star, featuring Ben Whishaw as John Keats and Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne.

Neil Jordan’s dark, modern fairy tale, Ondine, which stars Colin Farrell as an Irish fisherman who catches a mysterious woman, played by Alicja Bachleda.

Ricky Gervais‘ wrote, directed and stars in The Invention of Lying, a film about an alternate reality where no one can tell lies, until one man discovers how, and can’t seem to stop.

The Steven Soderbergh film, The Informant!, starring Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre, a whistleblower who can’t be entirely trusted.

And in the dramatic-comedy, The Boys Are Back by director Scott Hicks, Clive Owen plays a widower trying to recover from the death of his wife while he also copes with the new challenges of single-parenthood. Laura Fraser and Emma Booth also co-star.

The 2009 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 10 to 19, and you can find out more information at www.tiff.net. Ticket packages are already on sale for Visa cardholders, and single tickets go on sale September 4.

The GATE will have ongoing coverage of the festival, including on August 4 when the festival reveals the selection of Canadian films.

Government rolls out $3M for 2009 TIFF

W. Andrew Powell — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:48:58 +0000

2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Roll out the red carpets, film lovers around the world are going to get an invitation to Toronto this year. That’s thanks to a $3 million grant from the Government of Canada to help promote the 34th annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Peter Kent, Canada’s minister of state of foreign affairs, was on hand to make the announcement with the film festival group this week, which was obviously happy for the support.

“We are very thankful to Minister [Diane] Ablonczy and the Government of Canada for this investment in our Festival and our city,” said Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF. “For 10 days every September, the vibrancy of the city and the Festival make Toronto the international destination for film lovers and industry alike.”

Aimed at bringing in more out-of-town visitors, and improving the festival, there was also reported confirmation at the press conference that the festival has no intention of scaling back in the face of tough economic times.

“Toronto and all it has to offer has been a significant factor in TIFF’s success,” said Cameron Bailey, co-director of TIFF. “We know that our attendees love coming to experience Toronto. This funding will allow us to improve the customer experience and promote the rich culture of our host city, all while showcasing the importance of film.”

In total, the Canadian government awarded grants to seven other festivals and events through its Marquee Tourism Events Program. Other recipients include the Calgary Stampede, Shaw Festival, Stratford’s Shakespeare Festival, and the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

The 2009 TIFF runs from September 10 to 19. Stay tuned to The GATE for ongoing coverage of the festival.