TIFF continues for four more days. Although many of the ‘bigger’ films may be Off Sale, there are plenty of others that are worth seeing. As such, I give you my personal picks of films to see at the fest in the next few days.
The Weekend
Sep 13 9:00 pm Ryerson Theatre
Sep 14 4:00 pm TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1
A comedian (Sasheer Zamata) becomes romantically entangled with her ex (Tone Bell), his new girlfriend (DeWanda Wise), and another guest (Y’Lan Noel) during a weekend getaway, in the newest feature from Stella Meghie (Jean of the Joneses).
Meghie’s Jean of the Joneses was a total crowd pleaser at TIFF last year. Although I have yet to see the film, I have received positive feedback from trustworthy sources. Also the film has no distributor yet; the more reason to see it now.
Falls Around Her
Sep 14 11:45 am Scotiabank 4
Tantoo Cardinal plays a world-famous Anishinaabe musician who returns to the reserve to rest and recharge — only to discover that fame (and the outside world) are not easily left behind, in writer-director Darlene Naponse’s riveting portrait of resilience set among a northern First Nation.
Although an Indigenous story, the manner in which it is told is refreshing. Naponse introduces us to three funny, resourceful, and strong women in this film. I particularly like seeing these women laugh, cry, and supporting one another. We need more films like this, and of course, it is about time we see Cardinal in a leading role.
Tito and the Birds
Sep 15 12:45 pm TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2
In this vibrant fantasy created using oil paintings, digital drawings, and graphic animation, a young Tito and his two friends set out on a mission to find his father’s missing research on bird songs — the one thing that just might save their world from an epidemic where being afraid makes you ill.
Gustavo Steinberg, Gabriel Bitar, and André Catoto create a world full of adventures in this film. The story is intriguing and appropriate for all age groups. As I watched this film, I kept rooting for Tito and pals to find a way to save his friends and families from this epidemic. As well, the animation looks great on the big screen.
Stupid Young Heart
Sep 15 8:00 pm Scotiabank 7
When carefree, young Lenni (Jere Ristseppä) and his girlfriend Kiira (Rosa Honkonen) find themselves expecting a child, he ends up looking for a role model in all the wrong places… as he becomes involved with local right-wing activists, in the latest from Selma Vilhunen (Little Wing).
Excellent performances by Ristseppä and Honkonen in this dramatic film that is more than a coming-of-age story. From start to finish, I was drawn into Lenni and Kiira’s stories. The young actors’ chemistry works extremely well on-screen. The plot is believable and timely. Vilhunen does a great job in bringing Kirsikka Saari’s screenplay to the screen. This film has no distributor yet, do not miss it.
The Man Who Feels No Pain / Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
Sep 14 11:59 pm Ryerson Theatre
Sep 15 6:00 pm Scotiabank 1
In this Bollywood-infused action film from Vasan Bala (Peddlers), a young man quite literally born with the ability to feel no pain strikes out on a quest to vanquish 100 foes.
So much to say about what I think will become one of the favourite films screening as part of the Midnight Madness Programme. With references to cult classics like Enter The Dragon, Gymkata, Drunken Master, among other Bollywood films of the 80s and 90s, Bala’s film does not disappoint. Do not be deterred by its length, the film will keep you rooting for our unlikely hero all the way through.
The Quietude / La Quietud
Sep 16 12:15 pm TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 3
Against the backdrop of a military dictatorship, Eugenia is reunited with her estranged family following her father’s stroke and is forced to confront dark secrets, in Pablo Trapero’s highly anticipated follow-up to 2015’s The Clan.
Featuring three stellar female leads including Martina Gusman, Oscar nominee Bérénice Bejo (The Artist,) and Graciela Borges (La Ciénaga), La Quietud takes us to a family reunion that is anything but quiet. Trapero addresses some ‘taboo’ topics here surely. Nonetheless, the women in this film fight for a way to be free. I am never disappointed by Trapero’s work, and in this film particularly, I am thoroughly impressed by the female leads. I could not stop watching.
To purchase advance tickets to any of these films, and to find out what else is available, please visit tiff.net/tiff/onsale.
*Photos courtesy of TIFF.
