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.