Day 9 Tiff Blog

“I do not care if we go down in history as barbarians”, is a Romanian feature in which a young theatre director tries to reenact in a public square the slaughtering of Ukrainian Jews during WW2, and despite efforts of the government to stop her. This was part of a Tiff Talks series, so the director and some one from the Munk School in Toronto provided commentary. What was tremendously interesting was the fact that during filming, they allowed the public to join ‘extra’s in the square during the reenactment (which was quite well done for a small movie production), and according the the director, the sentiment both in the crowd, and prevailing in Romania is still anti semetic. Prior to the War, over 1 million jews were in Romania, based on last census, just 6000 are there now. Remarkable fact.

Transit was recommended in the ‘insiders event’ by TIFF programmers. It looks like present day, but creatively adapted from a WW2 refugee novel, it juxtaposes the events facing refugess and illegal residents to a present time. Interesting, and difficult to explain further without ruining the story. Was OK, not wonderful

The Weekend was a romantic comedy with an all African American cast. Complicated love story with two couples away for a weekend, but feelings for the other couple. Hokey. Felt a bit to me like a movie which was selected to ensure underrepresented demographic (production and talent) were represented. Sorry to be that blunt.

White Boy Rick is based on a true story of a young man who’s father is a petty hustler in the 80’s, and becomes a drug dealer, and FBI informant before he turned 16. I don’t want to spoil the plot, so I wont divulge the facts which follow, but they are tell a story which you sympathize with the young Rick. Stars Matthew McConaughey, Bruce Dern etc. Good movie

A Private War tels the true story of a war correspondent named Marie Colvin, who along with Paul Conroy enter several front lines in the world following horrible things mainly happening to civilians. Of particular relevancy, is her coverage of the Syrian Cit of Homs in 2012. Since that time, more than half a million civilians have been killed in Syria. My friends Nora, Rada, need to watch this movie. It stars Rosamund Pike. The evil that mankind does is on full display. It will disturb and educate you.

Hidden Man is a Chinese movie by actor director Jiang Wen as a follow up to two prior movies in Chinese cinema. Great throngs of Chinese press were there.. more people blocking our view of the intro then for the Lady Gaga movie. Unbelievable. 1/2 of the theatre was Chinese, and seemed to enjoy what was an absolute piece of junk. Supposed to be funny in parts I think, and outside of the initial cinematography which was beautiful, it was just junk.

Day 8 Tiff Blog

Hold the dark. Violent movie follows a mass murder investigation in Alaska (actually shot in Alberta), and pits a native community against police and a strange couple. Very weird backdrop, lots of darkness in the community related to what I think is a“native” wolf related spirit. Tons of action, though the plot lets you down, and in the end, you don’t’ really know what you saw.

Husband Matieral is a Punjabi film which almost feels like a musical, or a movie for which the music was written first, and the movie wrapped around it. It was a battle of two half’s! The first half of the movie was terrible, and to me, was Bollywood Cinema meant for an Indian audience. There is even an Intermission stop notification (it wasn’t stopped for this screening). The second half, however, followed a love and wedding triangle back and forth and back and forth, and in the end,  somewhat redeemed the horrible start. Several times I thought both of the males involved should have told the source of their affection to get lost. She wasn’t worth fighting over, save her beauty.

The Lie was a very good movie which asks the question ‘how far would you go to protect your child’. Very good plot, excellent twist (which a few of us guessed), and good acting, and filmed entirely in Toronto I understand. The daughters lethal mistake leads to actions which are disturbing and dramatic. What may have been an 8 though, was dropped to 6.5 because some of the events nearing the end caused the audience to laugh, rather then gasp.. and if you see it, you will understand what I mean. Obviously any pet release focus group wasn’t effective.

The Kindergarden Teacher stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as a teacher who notices an talent in one of her students, and goes through a obsession which is unatural in promoting her student. It is a remake of a 2014 drama by Israeli Nadav Lapid. It is a bit slow, and a good through the first part, and drops off at the end. Funny, the guy next to me fell asleep, and woke in a start tipping his popcorn onto the floor,.. we all laughed. Was also my first trip to the Green Room at RTL, and saw the stars there before the film.

Day 7 Special Post

My 33rd film was a very special documentary/feature called Elephant Queen. We have been to Africa many times over the past 20 years, and spent hundreds of hours watching elephants. Many thousands of people come just to see them, over and over. To many, elephants just look like a huge beast, where in reality, they are unique in so many ways. They feel, they mourn and grieve, and are vegetarians exclusively. They are most intelligent, and the babies are all raised in a communal day care by several females, like each was their own. This movie is truly wonderful, and atypical of African wildlife docs as there is no predator prey footage. It also shows the symbiotic relationship between the elephants and so many other creatures existing in their water holes, and on them. It is simply a beautiful movie. 9/10. This review for our friends Natan Bergman and Meital Bergman. Who are in South Africa as we speak!

Funny Tiff moment. Sitting in front, I waved at this little co-star with Maggie Gyllenhaal in the Kindergarten Teacher. He waved back, and couple behind asked ‘Is he your son’? I said.. ” Yes, Yes he is.. !

Look at Me is a strong movie about a Tunisian Man who leaves his ‘home’ in Marseille to go and care for an autistic child he has by another woman. For anyone who knows anyone on the Autistic Spectrum, go see this. The instituations which everyone wants the father to put his boy into, are a compelling choice, but his uneducated and unconventional convictions challenge this somewhat effectively, and is good for thought.

Vita and Virginia is based on the true story of Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Wolfe’s lesbian relationship, and more importantly, their friendship, among husbands, boyfirends, in an increasingly accepting society. Good characerization, intersting story, and amusing relationship. Bit of a chick flick, but it appealed to me too.

What they had is moving story about a woman returning home to help her brother and father deal with a progressing Alzheimer’s patient, her mother. While I felt the mother’s portrayal of the paitent a bit lacking in quality, Hilary Swank and Michale Shannon are perfect, battling their own past and relationships, and trying to come together in what has to be the most difficult of family situations. The father rightfully says at one point, ‘you say the institution is best, but who is better then me to care for her’? (Not unlike autistic child’s father noted above) One of the most incredible lines deilvered by the mother late in the movie which I won’t spoil, but it made this an

The Land of Steady Habits is a weak movie starring Ben Mendelsohn and Edie Falco. A second very weak Gala, this time where a retired husband leaves his wife for freedom. Not engaging or memorable at all. Don’t bother ever watching this movie.

Day 6 Tiff Blog

Better weather returned to Toronto, and there was a real gem or two found today.

One Last Deal is a foreign language film from Finland. It sounded interesting, and boy was it one wonderful movie. The story follows an aging and struggling art dealer as he tries to make ends meet, and with a slow moving inventory. It is a bit of a bunch of things, a treasure hunt looking for a masterpiece, a relationship story with his partly estranged daughter and grandson, a commentary about the art auction houses. Wonderfully shot with strong attention to detail in such a small budget film. Watch Klaus Haro as a director. This was a fraction of the budget of Hotel Mumbai, but I give it the same

Sunset is the latest movie from Laszio Nemes who has a wonderfful movie at Tiff a couple of years ago called Son of Saul (Go see that one). Shot in 35 mm, a somewhat disjointed effort this time though about a young woman from a legendary hat store attempting to uncover her past. Fell asleep a couple of times. Slow. 6

Shadow. This was a surprise. It is one of the Gala’s, but saw second screening. I can’t say I’ve ever liked any of the Chinese cinema I’ve seen before at TIff, but this one was different. In Mandarin, but this was beautifully shot.. and is a story about two groups at conflict with each other, and with ‘insults’ resulting in a small scale war between the two feudal groups. What was particularly engaging was the technology used and depicted including ‘scuba’ equipment, and paddle wheel ‘boat’ used by one group in attacking the other. Really enjoyed this.

Colette is based on the true story about a French novelist during the turn of the century who’s writings are attributed to her husband, due to acceptance and success that wouldn’t be the case if she published them. Great and true to real characters. Husband is somehow likeable, and not stereotypically oppressive in this film which will likely get some Oscar consideration for Kiera Knightley as the lead, and perhaps for best costume. It is very topical right now at TIFF, as the women in film movement gains momentum.

Boy Erased is the story about a gay son of in a very religous family (father played by Russell Crowe is a minister). Also staring Nicole Kidman, I felt this was a strong movie, in particular it will resonate with anyone who is gay, has a gay family member or friends who are gay. It may actually save some lives, and speaks to the fact that in more then 1/2 of the US, ‘gay retraining’ is still practiced, much of it under the auspices of Christian churches. Bound to be some backlash here from both sides.

Day 5 Tiff blog

Miserable outside, but such great movies inside.. and the dog of the day was a gorgeous friendly police dog.

The Wedding Guest is the second Dev Patel movie at the festival, about a a young man travelling to attend a wedding in Pakistan, and the real reason why he is going which is revealed slowly. Lots of twists and turns. In the end, some of the character’s actions and plot are a little unbelievable, and it misses for this reason from being a second wonderful Patel movie at this festival.

The Public is the story of homeless people occupying a Public LIbrary at a time where a cold snap has killed several homeless, and the shelters are full. Terrific social commentary on the plight of homeless throughout the US (and we actually have a higher per capita in Canada), and how they are completely ignored, and well, the issue is a deeper one than simply these points made here. Emelio Estavez, Christian Slater Alex Baldwin etc. An excellent movie, which will have you looking at the person you step over to get the the subway in a different way. The QA was enlightening.

American Woman is a good drama following the story of the disappearance of a womans teenage daughter over decades, and her relationship with her grandson. Stars Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad fame.

First Man is the Gala at TIFF dramatizing the story of Neil Armstrong on his path to being the first man to walk on the moon. Wonderful information, good to great acting with Ryan Gosling, who is really a TIFF regular. Definately in Theatres soon, and may get best actor nominee for Gosling.

The Old Man and the Gun is reportedly Robert Redfords last film? It is true story about a brazened elderly (now) bank robber who has been at it for years and years, caught a few times, and continues his craft into his 70’s.. and never harms anyone, and is in fact depicted by his ‘victims’ as being polite and s nice guy always smiling. Stars Bob (as he liked to be called), Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Casey Afleck. Directed by David Lowery. Excellent fllm, wonderful characterization by Redford.

Destroyer is a dark detective drama starring Nicole Kidman, who is unrecognizable as a strung out, sustance abusing cop caught up in an undercover operation facing brutal (and violent) events, while facing her own demons. A bit disjointed for me. Tough to follow the two timelines a little bit, and as a funny comment, a few of us thought the wigs used were crappy, a comment someone actually made during the Q and A afterwards, which clearly upset Kidman, who immediately looked elsewhere for another question.

Day 4 Tiff Blog

The Sisters Brothers is a western style movie set in the mid 1800’s in the west, Oregon and California. Great cast with a lot of promise, and it didn’t disappoint, but for an unusual reason. Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riz Ahmed. Complete Francophone director Jacques Audiard was brilliant and funny in his Q and A, clarifying points about things like ‘I;m not really sure this is a western’, and discussing the unusual sensitivity in John C. Reilly atypical for western characters, who has a lead character part. Reilly bought the rights to the sceenplay it appears. This was an unusal western. Funny, sensitive, engaging, but not losing the fundimental violence which is requisite. It follows two brothers with the last name ‘Sister’, brutally efficient hired guns. Loved it. Lots of humour, Lots of gunplay. What a great ‘western’.

Donnybrook is a story woven about several characters headed toward a bareknuckle fight, with the backdrop of hardship and people living on the fringe of existance, beg borrowing and stealing to survive. It pits two brutal fighters together, one with a concience, the other without, is a battle for a $100000 prize. It’s title aside, and good and violent, the movie really isn’t (unexpectedly) about the fight, rather the journey these two in getting there.

Quincy. Quincy Jones was in Toronto, along with her daughter, directors and staff for a retrospecitive biography created over 6 years by his daughter Rashida and Alan Hicks. Lots of great music, and wonderful Question period with Quincy, the legend (his recent criticism of the Beatles and even Michael Jackson (both withdrawn and apologied) notwithstanding. The move itsef was just OK, 6/10, but the event was a 9/10. There was a short performance by some of his protégés, and a new piece sung by Shaka Khan and Mark Ronson (Uptown Funk fame), with albeit poor sound quality (but perhaps rush set up related) in the pow theatre.

A Star is Born was at Roy Thompson Hall, which stars Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (also directing) in the 3rd remake of the film by same name. While the story doesn’t follow exactly the 2 prior Star is Born movies, this wasn’t an issue. The music is all new, and fantastic. Beautiful melodies, and wonderful performances on screen by Gaga and Cooper. This likely will be Oscar consideration, including picture, soundtrack, supporting actress etc. Gaga in first real acting job, and she was surprisingly excellent. The musicianship, and the performances within the performance were wonderful. Will give Hotel Mumbai a run I think for fan favourite.

Ok, after a wonderful day, the last Gala was a real stinker. High Life. The description talks about a ‘provocative sic-fi drama’. What crap. Looked cheesy, and low budget (first scene is main character fixing something in space outside ship, and you can noticable tell the non-gravity issue related to movement and bolts etc). The development is disjointed, the acting so-so, and plot nonsense, and uninteresting. Worse, it was slow and boring. The first minute was perhaps the best moments of the film, some beautiful footage of the hydroponic garden on the ship. You can leave after that scene. A Gala? Really TIFF?

Day 1 Blog

Driving into Toronto is terrible. If you are coming in, leave plenty of time. Festival street is set up, and it just makes it worse. Saw 5 films today. Quick capsule of each:

1. Monsters and Men. Timely story of a black man shot dead by police (accused of reaching for an officers gun), and the cover up which ensues, eventually outed by cell footage, reluctantly placed on social media. It felt realistic, as it didn’t depict either side as all good or all bad. Rather, it was a complex look at people affected and struggling with aftermath and decisions. Realistic portrayal of daily struggles in some/many US communities.
2. Loro. Italian film satrically based on Berlusconi. Tremendous amount of gratuitous sex and nudity in first half. Hard to follow, left half way.
3. Manto. Based on true story of short story writer in the mid 40’s who is Muslim, living in Bombay at the time of independance. His work was true depictions of life struggles and interesting situations. So interesting, that he gets charged with obscenity in a very conservative Pakistan. This is a good movie. My dad told me once he was walking during the riots in the 40’s, and was asked by small mob if he was Hindu or Muslim, which he answered Christian.. and they left him alone.
4. Fireflies and Gone. French Canadian movie about a teenager from a split family coming to terms with her own demons. Liked it till the end. Fireflies? Why?
5. Outlaw King. This was the opening Gala. Story of Robert the Bruce, and his struggle to unify Scotland after King of England occupied the country. Brutal, violent, and not well told. Excellent cinematography though.

Day 2 Tiff Blog

The fall of the American Empire. Story of a quirky young man, who finds millions of dollars, when he stumbles upon in a bungled robery. At least, that what I thought the story was. In reallity, it is Denys Arcand’s social and critical commentary on what money does to everyone, and goes into the wasteful and corrupt governments, heavy taxation etc etc.. He even takes a veiled jab at the Montreal Canadiens (It is a French Canadian movie), which was funny. I got to ask a question about this reference in the Q an A, which was met with a few laughs from the director. Maybe the best French Canadian Film I have seen to date.

Stockholm. Actually a 4 pt miniseries made for tv. I had some big expectations for this Israeli movie, and it was good, but not wonderful. Story follows 4 close friends, who try to ‘keep alive’ a close friend who dies, just before his potential award of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the nonsense that insues. The premise is that you are dead, even one day, you aren’t eligible (not sure about facts here), so the friends want the dead friend to get the acknowledgement, and the prize money of $1 Million Euro.

Her Job. Foreign language (Greek) small film which is really a look at a personal human story of a middle aged woman, who gets some autonomy from her overbearing and underappreciating husband when she gets a cleaning job in a mall.

Hotel Mumbai. Oh boy. This was one terrific movie. Based on facts regarding the Muslim terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008. We all likely were aware of this story, but this depiction looks at the events from the view of the guests of the Taj Oberoi hotel, which had a particulary long drawn out battle. It is just fantastic, imho. Great action, wonderful acting, including Dev Patel. On a side note, I have a soft side for Dev.. he blew Maddie a kiss during tears after I asked a question regarding adoption in the movie Lion 2 years ago (which if you haven’t seen, do yourself a favour, see that one too). Dev returns to an Australian director as he did with Lion, ,this time Anthony Maras.. whom we met after the premier. Really interesting look at, despite India’s history, Mumbai was completely,, and I mean completely unprepared, and slow to deal with what happened that day.

The Hate You Give. This is an adaptation of a novel by Angie Thomas, following one black family, and the strength the teenage daugter must muster to speak out about what she witnessed when a close friend shot dead by a gittery police officer. (See Monsters and Men yesterday). It was OK, but could have provided so much more. In the end, while it provides a good commentary in the Black Lives Matter era,, it disappointed as it didn’t even mention, let alone delve into the different dangers that police officers face in different neighbourhoods. While the ‘profiling’ stop which resulted in the shooting was appalling, I think the movie lost it’s relevancy to much of the audience as a result.

Day 3 Tiff Blog

Girls of the Sun. French language film following the true story of a battalion of women, who escaped rape and being sold several times is ISIS occupied Iraqi Kurdistan, and then returned to fight to regain their homes, and children stolen as child warriors. Some 7000 women were stolen this way, with less then half returning. A really strong women story, which is a theme this year at Tiff. Three different Kurdish factions depicted honestly, I believe. Worth more reading. Excellent small budget film.

This Changes Everything. Tiff doc driven by Geena Davis and others to help drive gender equality in Hollywood. Learned many things. It is worth seeing when it hits Netflix. Remarkable stats don”t lie. I am against ‘quotas’ for sake of quality, but perhaps we have lost quality at the expense of gender equality.

Everybody knows. Story of an abduction in a small family. Spanish movie staring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. Good film, albeit a bit slow. Slow twists. Slow turns.

Life Itself. Intricately woven story following several people, over a long period of time and continents. Stared Annette Bening, Antonio Bendaras, Oscar Isaac, Mandy Patinkin. Very good movie. Looked like a chick flick in the first few minutes.. but really came together. Strong and complex story.

Widow. Story of the Widows of criminals who need to do a ‘job’ as a result of obligations their husbands left after they were killed during a job. Good twists here too.. enjoyable.

Halloween. Special post coming!

Tiff Day 3 special Midnight Madness Blog. in 1978, when I was in university, the first Halloween was released, staring Jamie Lee Curtis, Mustapha Akkad, John Carpenter, which is regarded by most as one of the best original horror movies ever made. While it hasn’t survived the test of time in terms of fright factor, I can tell you, in 1978, we had to drop the ladies who went to it with us like Grace, Nora, Vera etc to their doors with highbeams. Akkad’s son, and Carpenter are back with “Halloween” 40 years later with.. Jamie Lee Curtis, still running from yer another Michael Myers escape from haddenfield Illinois. I rushed to this after seeing 5 films already yesterday, dressed as Michael Myers, sitting in the front row. Jamie was there, and came up and gave me a high 5 after the QandA, and I got a selfie with her. My scary movie idol along with Sigourney Weaver. Movie itself has the same look and feel as the original, the first slashed babysitter movie, written by this Akkad’s father. Movie really a 6/10. Event itself, 8/10. First MM. so much fun.