Ranging from features to docs, shorts to animation, drama to comedy, the experimental to international festival highlights from Berlin, Leipzig or Oberhausen, the Goethe-Institut Toronto’s Goethe Films series, curated by Jutta Brendemühl, offers film lovers the opportunity to see a top selection of German contemporary arthouse film. READ MORE
Conchi León is a renowned playwright, actorand director from Yucatán, México. She is the founder of the Sa’as Tún Theatre Company. Her artistic career has been marked by the development of texts and testimonial montages that rescue the memory, tradition and customs of the Mayan culture, with a special focus on women.
This year, her latest work Del Manantial del Corazón (The Spring of the Heart) opens the RUTAS International Multi Arts Festival. To learn more about León and her work, I had the privilege of asking her a few questions. READ MORE
Selma Vilhunen is no stranger to TIFF. Her 2016 film Little Wing debuted at TIFF and went on to play around the world. As with Little Wing , Vilhunen’s Stupid Young Heart, focuses on young people trying to define themselves in the face of dire circumstances.
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Darlene Naponse is an Anishinaabe Kwe from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek – Northern Ontario. She is a writer, film director, and video artist. The idea for Falls Around Her came to Naponse about seven years ago, and over the years she would work on it between her many other artistic endeavors. READ MORE
Award-winning composer, Federico Jusid, is a multifaceted artist with many titles including concert pianist, conductor, and film and theater producer. He is best known for scoring the Academy Award-winning Best Foreign Language film, The Secret in Their Eyes, which Federico composed with Emilio Kauderer. During TIFF, I had the opportunity to converse with Federico. We talked about his early influences, his work for television, and film.
ASC Award-nominated Director of Photography Pepe Avila del Pino’s dynamic cinematography has skyrocketed him to the forefront of cinematography across all genres and platforms including film, television and commercial. Most recently, Del Pino shot the Maven Pictures’ Sundance Festival’s Grand Jury Prize-nominated film, The Kindergarten Teacher, starring Oscar-nominated Maggie Gyllenhaal – which screened at TIFF this year, and is set to premiere on Netflix October 12. READ MORE
Written and directed by Renée Beaulieu, Les Salopes or the Naturally Wanton Pleasure of Skin is primarily a film about desire. Marie-Claire (Brigitte Pouppart), professor of dermatology, is undertaking a new scientific research project on skin cells and how they are affected by sexuality. As she embarks on this project, a chain of events disrupts her career, family and above all, her intimate life. READ MORE
Kris Hagen switches his time on-screen as part of CBC’s Kim’s Convenience, for a chance to showcase his music, writing and directing skills on-stage in Lighters in the Air. A play about artistic integrity, unfulfilled expectations, and an uncertain future. READ MORE
Premiering at Toronto’s Fringe Festival, Robin Black‘s (UFC, MUCHMUSIC, TSN) Enjoy the Hostilities walks us through his transition from glam rock singer, to mixed martial artist, to television personality. Co-written by Graham Isador (VICE, Soulpepper Playwright’s unit) the show uses storytelling, comedy, and punch drunk philosophy to offer audiences advice on how to make the most out of almost making it.
As a preview to its premiere, Black answered my 5 Questions. READ MORE
Jessica Jessica – same name, same problems. The story of two friends in their late 30’s who aren’t married, aren’t mothers, aren’t failures, and are both named Jessica. READ MORE