Twelve days to go before the Opening Night of the Toronto International Film Festival. Last Tuesday the list of films was published on the website. This is one of a series of ever-escalating little thrills until I plant my butt in the first movie theatre in Toronto. The list of films isn’t all that useful as a planning tool; it merely lists titles and directors, no synopses, dates or times. The real pre-Toronto jackpot comes next Tuesday when the complete schedule is released. That’s when the brief mania of seeing what I want to see when occurs. It’s also the time when films directed and starring people I’ve never heard of become contenders after reading synopses. Still, this year I’m borrowing a trick from my ever-organized Scot, and creating my own spreadsheet of potential films to see.
My list consists of 37 films in this early stage. A very reasonable list for a festival that will be screening over 350 films total. This list will surely grow when next Tuesday’s schedule is released, before being brutally whittled down to something slightly resembling a workable schedule. Of course, all this planning is tossed out the window once we arrive.
Here are some of the highlights that I’m very excited about. I have a general rule that I don’t see Galas. Those a the big, splashy premieres with red carpets, lots of stars, 600+ seat theatres, etc. Gala films sell out fairly quickly, and they are the type of film that are often released soon after the festival. This year, Atom Egoyan‘s latest work, WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, is a gala screening. A few years ago I missed ARARAT, which was the opening night film. This is my opportunity to see Atom & Arsinee (photo left) to introduce the film and hold a Q&A afterwards. WHERE THE TRUTH LIES is struggling with an NC-17 rating in ths states, and this could be a rare opportunity to see the film uncut. Atom Egoyan is my favorite filmmaker, so if there’s ever a gala I should attempt, it’s this one. Atom’s gala will be held on Tuesday, September 13 at 9:30, and tickets are available online beginning today. I think I’ll try to get me some.
Almost more exciting is THE WAYWARD CLOUD, the new film by Tsai Ming Liang, who is close behind Egoyan in terms of filmmakers whose work I won’t miss. Tsai will be in attendance, which is very exciting, and THE WAYWARD CLOUD, in addition to starring his two regulars from WHAT TIME IS IT THERE? is a musical. Wowee! Who could possibly resist?
Other favorite filmmakers whose films will be screened include: Majid Majidi (BARAN), Zhang Yang (QUITTING), Wan Xiaoshuai (BEIJING BICYCLE), Jim McKay (OUR SONG), Michael Haneke (THE PIANO TEACHER), Thom Fitzgerald (THE HANGING GARDEN), Guay Maddin (THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD) and so many more.
Recently someone asked me how I chose from the enormous list of films. As I was looking through this year’s list it became fairly evident. My first criteria is filmmaker. There are certain filmmakers whose work I will always try to see. Cast members are usually next in line. Certain actors are a draw to seeing a film despite the subject matter. Synopses are important, of course, (although not as important as the filmmaker) and an intriguing story will often influence my decision to see a film. (This is often the only factor when deciding upon Documentaries.) Finally, when I am in Toronto, country of origin becomes a factor. I do my best to see as many Canadian films as possible at the festival, then fill out the rest of my choices with a list that is as international as possible given the other criteria.
Of course, Toronto also means seeing some of our friends in Toronto. I’m looking forward to seeing Marilyn (Phil’s new film CAPOTE will be screened), Wiebke, Kish, and possibly Daniel (who will be appearing in a film called WHOLE NEW THING that he also wrote.) Also part of the fun this year will be sharing the experience with good friends and family, especially those who have never been to the festival!
More festival news to come!