One of the great aspects of the Toronto International Film Festival is its ability to programme some fantastic documentaries. That seed has created an unmatched interest in docs within Toronto that has led to a great festival, Hot Docs, and the a voracious fanbase. This year is no exception as the festival just announced its lineup for this year.
Films exploring pressing, hot button issues include Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing, Matthew Cooke’s How to Make Money Selling Drugs, Marina Zenovich’s Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out, and a number of powerful films dealing with the conflict in the Middle East: Dror Moreh’s The Gatekeepers, Dan Setton’s State 194 and Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours.
Other documentaries having their world premieres at the Festival include Alex Gibney’s Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God — an investigation into the abuse of power in the Catholic Church; Ken Burns, David McMahon and Sarah Burns’ The Central Park Five which sheds light on a case of wrongful conviction; 9.79*, Daniel Gordon’s look at the infamous 100-metre men’s final at the 1988 Seoul Olympics; London – The Modern Babylon, Julien Temple’s epic time-travelling voyage to the heart of his hometown; and Janet Tobias’ No Place on Earth, the story of the longest uninterrupted underground survival in recorded human history.
“There is great satisfaction in discovering films from new voices in non-fiction filmmaking,” said Thom Powers, lead Festival programmer for documentaries. “Some of the most powerful stories being told are from these bold and original emerging filmmakers whose work stands strongly side by side documentary filmmaking greats Alex Gibney and Ken Burns.”
“We cannot wait to present the line-up of Canadian and international documentaries with Festival audiences and the industry,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. “The diversity of subject and calibre of the films is a testament to the great non-fiction work being done in our country and abroad.”
Audiences get a behind the scenes peek at the world of significant figures in arts and entertainment in the following films: Bartholomew Cubbins’ Artifact which follows the legal battles of the band Thirty Seconds to Mars; Treva Wurmfeld’s story of friendship between playwright Sam Shepard and Johnny Dark in Shepard and Dark; Jamie Kastner’s sexy, glittery documentary-hybrid The Secret Disco Revolution; Barry Avrich’s recounting of Garth Drabinsky’s incredible story Show Stopper: The Theatrical Life of Garth Drabinsky and Reincarnated, Andrew Capper’s profile of Snoop Dogg.
The full description of the docs are below.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 6 to 16, 2012.
9.79* Daniel Gordon, United Kingdom World Premiere Daniel Gordon’s 9.79* looks at the legacy of the 100-metre men’s final at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, when gold medalist Ben Johnson tested positive for anabolic steroids and scandal reigned. For the first time ever, the eight athletes who ran that infamous race tell their story.
Artifact Bartholomew Cubbins, USA World Premiere The band Thirty Seconds to Mars and lead singer Jared Leto fight an excruciating lawsuit with EMI while writing songs for their album This is War.
A World Not Ours Mahdi Fleifel, United Kingdom/Lebanon/Denmark World Premiere A World Not Ours is an intimate, often humorous, portrait of three generations of exile in the refugee camp of Ain El-Helweh, in southern Lebanon. Based on a wealth of personal recordings and historical footage, it is a sensitive and illuminating study of belonging, friendship and family.
The Act of Killing Joshua Oppenheimer, Denmark/Norway/United Kingdom World Premiere In a place where killers are celebrated as heroes, these filmmakers challenge unrepentant death-squad leaders to dramatize their role in genocide. The result is a surreal, cinematic journey, not only into the memories and imaginations of mass murderers, but also into a frighteningly banal regime of corruption and impunity. Executive produced by Errol Morris.
As if We Were Catching a Cobra Hala Alabdalla, Syria/France World Premiere Initially intended as a documentary foray into the art of caricature in Egypt and Syria, when the insurgencies break out in both countries, Syrian director Hala Alabdalla ends up drawing an electrifying, intimate, passionate film on the fearless tenacity of Arab artists fighting for freedom and justice.
Camp 14 — Total Control Zone Marc Wiese, Germany North American Premiere This is the story of a man who was born and grew up in a Gulag-style North-Korean camp. After his escape at the age of 23, he discovers the “outside world” for the first time. The film relays his incredible story, as well as those of his fellow inmates and prison guards. Featuring Shin Dong-Huyk, Hyuk Kwon and Oh Yangnam.
The Central Park Five Ken Burns, David McMahon and Sarah Burns, USA North American Premiere The Central Park Five tells the story of how five black and Latino teenagers were wrongly convicted of raping the Central Park Jogger and how a rush to judgment by the police, media clamoring for sensational stories, and an outraged public contributed to that miscarriage of justice.
Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story Brad Bernstein, USA North American Premiere Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story depicts one man’s wild, life-long adventure of testing societal boundaries through his use of subversive art. This film combines traditional documentary storytelling with original animation from over 70 years worth of art from the renegade children’s book author and illustrator. Featuring Tomi Ungerer, Maurice Sendak, Jules Feiffer, Steven Heller and Michael Patrick Hearn.
Fidaï Damien Ounouri, France/Algeria/Qatar/China/Kuwait World Premiere An exceedingly timely tribute of unsung everyday heroes of revolutions draws the intimate portrait of El Hadi, a seventy-year-old veteran of the Algerian War of Independence, filming the unrecorded memory of years in combat, with its glories, traumas and legacy of violence.
First Comes Love Nina Davenport, USA World Premiere With the bracingly honest, occasionally hilarious and ultimately moving First Comes Love, Davenport examines husband-free parenthood. From hormone injections to post-natal chaos, Davenport chronicles her own pregnancy — including her conventional family’s reaction to it. She reflects upon a rapidly changing world, providing a wry and insightful play-by-play that keeps the viewer tuned in and transfixed by the topsy-turvy state of modern reproduction.
The Gatekeepers Dror Moreh, Israel/France/Germany/Belgium International Premiere Charged with overseeing Israel’s war on terror, the head of the Shin Bet — Israel’s secret service agency — is present at the crossroad of every decision made. For the first time ever, six former heads of the agency agree to share their insights and reflect publicly on their actions and decisions — offering an exclusive account of their experiences and attitudes during, and after, their service.
The Girl from the South José Luis García, Argentina International Premiere Filmmaker José Luis García was fascinated by a young Korean student activist he met in 1989 in North Korea. The director begins his quest to ask her how she crossed the most fortified frontier in the world and what happened to her dreams after the fall of communism.
How to Make Money Selling Drugs Matthew Cooke, USA World Premiere How To Make Money Selling Drugs offers a provocative glimpse into the lives of those on both sides of the “war on drugs,” delivering a diverse and unique perspective on the subject through interviews with 50 Cent, Eminem, The Wire producer David Simon, Arianna Huffington, Woody Harrelson, Eminem, Susan Sarandon and infamous drug kingpin “Freeway” Rick Ross.
Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp Jorge Hinojosa, USA World Premiere Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp examines the tumultuous life of Iceberg Slim (1918-1992) and how he reinvented himself from pimp to author of seven groundbreaking books. These books were the birth of Street Lit and explored the world of the ghetto in gritty and poetic detail and have made him a cultural icon. Interviews with Iceberg Slim, Chris Rock, Henry Rollins, Ice-T, Quincy Jones and Snoop Dogg.
London – The Modern Babylon Julien Temple, United Kingdom International Premiere London – The Modern Babylon is legendary director Julien Temple’s epic time-travelling voyage to the heart of his hometown. From musicians, writers and artists to dangerous thinkers, political radicals and — above all — ordinary people, this is the story of London’s immigrants, its bohemians and how together they changed the city forever.
Lunarcy! Simon Ennis, Canada World Premiere With wry humour and affection, Simon Ennis’ Lunarcy! follows a disparate group of dreamers and schemers who share one thing in common: they’ve all devoted their lives to the Moon. From the former ventriloquist who’s made millions selling Moon lots to the young man who’s resolved to depart for Luna (permanently), Lunarcy! is a touching and comic portrait of passion, creativity and quixotic dreams.
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God Alex Gibney, USA World Premiere Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney exposes the abuse of power in the Catholic Church and a cover-up that winds its way from the row houses of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, through the bare ruined choirs of Ireland’s churches all the way to the highest office of the Vatican.
Men At Lunch Seán Ó Cualáin, Ireland International Premiere Narrated by Fionnula Flanagan, Men at Lunch reveals the remarkable untold story behind one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, Lunch atop a Skyscraper, taken on the 69th floor of the Rockefeller Building in the autumn of 1932. Part homage, part investigation, Men at Lunch is the revealing tale of an American icon, an unprecedented race to the sky and the immigrant workers who built New York.
More Than Honey Markus Imhoof, Germany/Austria/Switzerland North American Premiere Einstein once said: “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.” In the past five years, billions of honeybees simply vanished for reasons still obscure. If the bees keep dying, there will be drastic effects for humans as well: more than one third of our food production depends on pollination by honeybees and their lives and deaths are linked to ours.
No Place on Earth Janet Tobias, USA/United Kingdom/Germany World Premiere While mapping out the largest cave system in Ukraine, explorer and investigator Chris Nicola discovers evidence that five Jewish families spent nearly a year and a half in the pitch-black caves to escape the Nazis. This is the story of the longest uninterrupted underground survival in recorded human history.
Reincarnated Andrew Capper, USA World Premiere Legendary hiphop star Snoop Dogg travels to Jamaica to record a new album and immerse himself in the island’s music and culture. After decades as America’s ultimate gangsta, Snoop seeks a more spiritual path.
Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out Marina Zenovich, USA World Premiere In 2009, celebrated director Roman Polanski was arrested at the Zurich Film Festival. His weekend jaunt turned into a 10-month imprisonment. Zenovich’s follow up to Wanted and Desired — which some say was one of the reasons for Polanski’s arrest — explores the bizarre clash of politics, celebrity justice and the media.
The Secret Disco Revolution Jamie Kastner, Canada World Premiere A cheeky, sexy documentary-hybrid, The Secret Disco Revolution wraps revealing celebrity interviews — The Village People, Gloria Gaynor, Kool and the Gang — classic glitter-era footage and music in a hilarious new package that never lets you stop dancing long enough to decide what’s real and what’s satire.
Shepard & Dark Treva Wurmfeld, USA World Premiere Remember when close friends corresponded by letters? When intimate thoughts about life, family and mortality were hand-written or typed on the page, with full thought given to every word? This is the kind of friendship that Sam Shepard and Johnny Dark had.
Show Stopper: The Theatrical Life of Garth Drabinsky Barry Avrich, Canada World Premiere One of the most infamous moguls, Garth Drabinsky’s incredible story is the most dramatic and unprecedented rise to and fall from power in show business history. Show Stopper features interviews with artists who loved him, industry players who battled him and the media who spilled gallons of ink chronicling his prodigious career.
State 194 Dan Setton, Israel/Palestine/USA World Premiere In 2009, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad launched a plan to demonstrate that his people were deserving of statehood, inspiring them to change their destiny and seek U.N. membership. Since then, they’ve made remarkable progress, but the political quagmire threatens to destroy the most promising opportunity for peace in years. From Participant Media, the company behind Waiting for Superman and An Inconvenient Truth.
Storm Surfers 3D Christopher Nelius and Justin McMillan, Australia World Premiere Storm Surfers 3D is an epic, character-driven adventure documentary following two best friends on their quest to hunt down and ride the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world. Aussie tow-surfing legend Ross Clarke-Jones and two-time world champion Tom Carroll enlist the help of surf forecaster Ben Matson, and together they track and chase giant storms across the Great Southern Ocean.
The Walls of Dakar Abdoul Aziz Cissé, Senegal International Premiere A rare documentary that chronicles Dakar’s unplanned, spontaneous mural frescos, produced by marginal painters, rappers and taggers, that functioned, until the city’s insurgency, as one of its rare sites for free, uncensored expression and the crucible for articulating citizenship. Visually captivating, an elegy of Dakar’s unrepentant insurgent spirit of its everyday artists.
Documentaries screening in other Festival programmes include:
WAVELENGTHS
Bestiaire Denis Côté, Canada/France Toronto Premiere Animals/People: Along the rhythm of the changing seasons they watch one another. Award-winning director Denis Côté’s sixth feature film, Bestiaire, unfolds like a filmic picture book about mutual observation and about peculiar perception. A contemplation of a stable imbalance, and of loose, quiet and indefinable elements.
MASTERS
The End of Time Peter Mettler, Canada/Switzerland International Premiere The End of Time is a cinematic experience from visionary filmmaker Peter Mettler which explores our perception of time.
The Toronto International Film Festival will continue to announce documentary film selections in coming weeks. Previously announced documentaries include the world premieres of Shola Lynch’s Free Angela & All Political Prisoners (Gala), Liz Garbus’ Love, Marilyn (Gala) and Maiken Baird and Michelle Major’s Venus & Serena (Special Presentation).
Purchase Festival ticket packages online 24 hours a day at tiff.net/festival, by phone Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433, or visit the box office in person from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The 37th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 6 to 16, 2012.
About TIFF TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $170 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.
Last year, amongst the great films of the Midnight Madness programming we got The Raid. What is the next big thing to blow us and the rest of the world away? Find out this fall as the Toronto International Film Festival just announced the programming for this year’s iteration.
This year the Festival has an eclectic selection including the World Premiere of the ambitious The ABCs of Death, Nicolás López Aftershock, Barry Levinson’s The Bay, Makinov’s Come Out and Play, Pete Travis’ Dredd, Hellbenders by JT Petty, Don Coscarelli’s John Dies at the End, the always entertaining Rob Zombie with his latest The Lords of Salem, Ryuhei Kitamura’s No One Lives, and Martin McDonagh‘s highly anticipated Seven Psychopaths.
Full list below including descriptions of the films. The question is, are you up for the challenge that is the brilliant Midnight Madness?
The ABCs of Death World Premiere Kaare Andrews, Angela Bettis, Adrián García Bogliano, Bruno Forzani & Hélène Cattet, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, Jason Eisener, Xavier Gens, Jorge Michel Grau, Lee Hardcastle, Noboru Iguchi, Thomas Cappelen Malling, Anders Morgenthaler, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Simon Rumley, Marcel Sarmiento, Jon Schnepp, Srdjan Spasojevic, Timo Tjahjanto, Andrew Traucki, Nacho Vigalondo, Jake West, Ti West, Ben Wheatley, Adam Wingard, and Yûdai Yamaguchi
Twenty-six directors… 26 ways to die! The ABCs Of Death is perhaps the most ambitious anthology film ever conceived, featuring segments directed by over two dozen of the world’s leading talents in contemporary genre film. With each director assigned a letter of the alphabet, they were then given free rein in choosing a word to create a story involving a tale of mortality. It’s an alphabetical arsenal of destruction orchestrated by some of the most exciting names in global horror including Ben Wheatley (Kill List), Ti West (House of the Devil), Jason Eisener (Hobo With A Shotgun), Adam Wingard (You’re Next), Xavier Gens (Frontieres), and Nacho Vigalondo (Time Crimes).
Aftershock Nicolás López, USA/Chile World Premiere In Chile, an American tourist’s vacation goes from good to great when he meets some beautiful women travellers. But when an earthquake ravages the underground nightclub they’re in, a fun night quickly turns to terror. Escaping to the surface is just the beginning as they face nightmarish chaos above ground. Starring Eli Roth and Selena Gomez.
The Bay Barry Levinson, USA World Premiere A brutal and harrowing film about a deadly parasite, The Bay chronicles the descent of a small Maryland town into absolute terror.
Come Out and Play Makinov, Mexico World Premiere Beth and Francis vacation before the birth of their child. Francis insists on venturing to a more serene island, Beth hesitantly agrees. They set out to a beautiful island, but soon discover it’s mysteriously abandoned, and the only people on the island are children. Beth and Francis are left to uncover the mystery of the disappearances, and a day in paradise quickly turns into a struggle for survival. Cast includes Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vinessa Shaw and Daniel Gimenez Cacho.
Dredd Pete Travis, USA/United Kingdom/India World Premiere The endlessly inventive mind of writer Alex Garland (28 Days Later) and director Pete Travis bring the iconic masked police officer Dredd to life in this futuristic neo-noir action film. Filmed in 3D with stunning slow-motion photography sequences, the film returns the celebrated comic book anti-hero to his dark, violent and visceral roots. Starring Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby and Lena Headey.
Hellbenders JT Petty, USA World Premiere Hellbenders, an R-rated 3D exorcism comedy, follows the Order of Hellbound Saints (Brooklyn Parish), a highly secretive and profoundly blasphemous men of God, as they battle demonic forces too terrible to be cast out by traditional Vatican-approved methods. Cast includes Clancy Brown, Clifton Collins Jr., Robyn Rikoon and Andre Royo.
John Dies at the End Don Coscarelli, USA Canadian Premiere In John Dies at the End, it’s all about the Soy Sauce, a drug that promises an out-of-body experience with each hit. Users drift across time and dimensions. But some who come back are no longer human. Suddenly, a silent otherworldly invasion is underway, and mankind needs a hero. What it gets instead is John (Rob Mayes) and David (Chase Williamson), a pair of college dropouts who can barely hold down jobs. Can these two stop the oncoming horror in time to save humanity? No. No, they can’t. Adapted from David Wong’s audacious trans-genre horror novel, John Dies at the End is written and directed by Don Coscarelli (Bubba Ho-Tep) and also stars Clancy Brown and Paul Giamatti.
The Lords of Salem Rob Zombie, USA/United Kingdom/Canada World Premiere Heidi, a radio station DJ, receives a wooden box containing a record. Heidi listens and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of Salem’s violent past. Is Heidi going mad or are the Lords of Salem returning for revenge on modern day Salem?
No One Lives Ryuhei Kitamura, USA World Premiere From the director of Versus and The Midnight Meat Train, No One Lives is a smart and original horror movie with, at its heart, a killer in the grip of a dark and twisted love affair. A ruthless criminal gang takes a young couple hostage and goes to ground in an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. When the captive girl is killed, the tables are unexpectedly turned. The gang finds itself outsmarted by an urbane and seasoned killer determined to ensure that no one lives. Featuring Luke Evans, Adelaide Clemens, Derek Magyar, Lee Tergesen and America Olivo.
Seven Psychopaths Martin McDonagh, USA/United Kingdom World Festival Premiere Written and Directed by Academy Award® winner Martin McDonagh, the comedy Seven Psychopaths follows a struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) who inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) kidnap a gangster’s (Woody Harrelson) beloved Shih Tzu. Co-starring Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits, Olga Kurylenko and Zeljko Ivanek.
Tickets to screenings for this programme will be available for individual purchase as well as through the Midnight Madness Pack, which includes all 10 screenings for $156, or $100 for students and seniors. Purchase Festival ticket packages online 24 hours a day at tiff.net/festival, by phone Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433, or visit the box office in person from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The 37th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 6 to 16, 2012.
About TIFF TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $170 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.
We have already been privy to the Lineup of Special Presentations and Galas and now the Toronto International Film Festival is starting to roll out the rest of its programming. Just announced is the City to City Programme which this year is focusing on the City of Mumbai.
Earlier this year, Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Festival, confirmed that the 2012 spotlight would shine on filmmakers working and living in Mumbai and introduce audiences to local independent films which contrast with Bollywood’s dazzling commercial movies. The City to City series is an exploration of the urban experience, highlighting the best in emerging cinematic talent in a particular locale.
“Mumbai’s cinema today is entirely different from what it was even a few years ago. The rise of independent cinema has shifted the terrain, probing into previously taboo subjects and adopted styles that were earlier unpalatable to the Indian audience,” said Bailey. “Mumbai’s film industry is going through a significant change and a strong group of new filmmakers has emerged. They’re representing the evolution of their city in an interesting way. Toronto audiences are in for a treat this fall.”
Some great films including Mohit Takalkar’s The Bright Day, both parts of the epic Gangs of Wasseypur, Habib Faisal’s Ishaqzaade, Ashim Ahluwalia‘s Miss Lovely, Manjeet Singh’s Mumbai’s King, the indie powerhouse that is Peddlers, the World Premiere of Hansal Mehta’s Shahid, fresh from its IIFA premiere Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai and Anand Gandhi Ship of Theseus.
Full list and descriptions of the films below, stay tuned for our ongoing coverage of the 37th Toronto International Film Festival which runs from September 6 to 16, 2012.
The Bright Day Mohit Takalkar, India World Premiere Yearning for meaning in his life, a coddled young man abandons his girlfriend and family to set out on a spiritual quest across India. Shot with sophisticated DSLR cameras and reflecting a new passion for personal filmmaking, The Bright Day finds images to chart a soul’s progress.
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part One Anurag Kashyap, India North American Premiere Part One of Anurag Kashyap’s decade-spanning gangster epic chronicles the bloody turf war between two competing criminal families during the tumultuous era of Indian independence and industrialization. Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadda and Reema Sen.
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part Two Anurag Kashyap, India North American Premiere Part Two of Anurag Kashyap’s stylish Indian gangster epic amps up the adrenaline as the irresistibly amoral criminal clans of Wasseypur careen towards their bloody date with destiny. Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadda and Reema Sen.
Ishaqzaade Habib Faisal, India Canadian Premiere A love story set amidst political violence in northern India, this romance follows Hindu Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Muslim Zoya (Parineeti Chopra) as they try to escape the restrictive demands of their families. Better known for glossy entertainments, Bollywood’s Yash Raj studio delivers a surprisingly gritty reflection of the new India.
Miss Lovely Ashim Ahluwalia, India North American Premiere Set in the lower depths of Bombay’s C-grade film industry, Miss Lovely follows the devastating story of two brothers who produce sex-horror films in the mid-1980s. The film gets under the skin of the Bollywood underground — an audacious cinema with wild cinemascope compositions, lurid art direction, rollicking background soundtracks, and gut-wrenching melodrama. Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Niharika Singh and Anil George.
Mumbai’s King Manjeet Singh, India World Premiere Rahul roams the streets with his balloon-seller friend Arbaaz. These two kids escape the grim realities of their lives by gambling, roasting stolen potatoes, stealing an auto rickshaw for a joyride, and chasing girls. But soon Rahul has to “take care” of his violent father, who has forced him to live on streets. Starring Rahul Bairagi, Arbaaz Khan and Tejas Parvatkar.
Peddlers Vasan Bala, India North American Premiere The lives of a rookie cop, a streetwise orphan and a beautiful young ex-teacher collide explosively in the drug underworld of Mumbai in this edgy, powerhouse thriller that exemplifies the verve and excitement of India’s new independent cinema. Starring Gulshan Devaiah and Siddharth Mennon.
Shahid Hansal Mehta, India World Premiere Shahid is the remarkable true story of slain human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi, who was killed in 2010 by unidentified assailants in his office. From attempting to become a terrorist, to being wrongly imprisoned under a draconian anti-terrorism law, to becoming a champion of human rights (particularly of the Muslim minorities in India), Shahid traces the inspiring personal journey of a boy who became an unlikely messiah for human rights, while following the rise of communal violence in India. This story of an impoverished Muslim struggling to come to terms with injustice and inequality, whilerising above his circumstances is an inspiring testament to the human spirit. Starring Raj Kumar, Prabhleen Sandhu and Baljinder Kaur.
Shanghai Dibakar Banerjee, India North American Premiere From the director of Love Sex aur Dhokla comes a searing political drama. Abhay Deol plays an investigator seeking the cause behind the assassination of a firebrand politician, complicated by the actions of the politician’s lover, played by Kalki Koechlin.
Ship of Theseus Anand Gandhi, India World Premiere In the first feature film from acclaimed Indian playwright Anand Gandhi, three disparate people — a devout monk stricken by illness, a blind woman whose sight is suddenly restored, and a stockbroker who sets out to combat the illegal international trade in human organs — are linked by an unknown connection as they follow their individual paths through the kaleidoscopic streets of Mumbai.
The 37th Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 6 to 16, 2012.
Tickets to screenings for this programme will be available for individual purchase as well as through the City to City Package, which includes all 10 screenings for $156, or $100 for students and seniors. Purchase Festival ticket packages online 24 hours a day at tiff.net/festival, by phone Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm ET at 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433, or by visiting the box office in person from 10am to 10pm ET at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
About TIFF TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $170 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.
So, by now, everyone has seen the theatrical trailer of Heroine, Madhur Bhandarkar‘s latest release starring Kareena Kapoor (if you haven’t, it’s above). But wait, before we admire Kareena’s dance moves (yes, I am finally becoming a fan of them) and the trailer (which is completely void of a storyline)…we must look at the history of Heroine. It’s short, but it’s so full of drama. It’s Bollywood – why would real life be any less dramatic than reel life, right?
For those not aware of Heroine‘s brief dramatic history, the film, directed by Bhandarkar, was to originally star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. It was much talked about then and seeing that Aishwarya was not acting much at the time, fans and the industry were looking forward to it. After a few pre-promotional photo and location shoots were wrapped up, a few pictures of Aishwarya’s look for the film were revealed to the public, including a first look poster.
Then, moviegoers received good and bad news.
Good news. Aishwarya was pregnant, expecting her first child with superstar husband Abhishek Bachchan.
Bad news. Aishwarya had to back out of Heroine leaving Bhandarkar hanging. Oh and pissed!
But hold your horses; the plot thickens. After hearing news of Aishwarya’s pregnancy, the film’s future was being gossiped about left, right and centre at which point Bhandarkar took to social media and blogged about what he believes was the truth behind the films sudden halt in shooting and production. The exact post can be read here, but to keep it short, Bhandarkar accused Aishwarya of having kept her “health” (ie: pregnancy) a secret, hidden from the director and the films crew.
“The entire event would not have taken place if on the onset the actress would have informed the state of her health an impending maternity…. The truth was hidden from us. We learnt about the entire thing from news channels like the rest of the world that the said actress was 4 months pregnant and she was due on November… Film making in Mumbai film industry is not a mere business but one big fraternity who functions on total faith and trust. The film was announced in Cannes on 13th May while we commenced shooting on 7th June…. There was a gap of 24 days even if we had known the truth behind the maternal state of the actress… things could have been reworked keeping the state of matters in mind accordingly and this crisis could have been averted.
Of course, Aishwarya was not a fan of this accusation, and her “people” denied it, but the drama went on.
Enter Kareena Kapoor. Just like a true Bollywood heroine, she swooped in for what looks to be the role of a lifetime. A role that any Bollywood actress would have loved to portray.
Despite all this hoopla, Heroine still looks pretty decent – if its trailer is anything to go by. From what it looks like, Kareena digs her teeth into yet another role – can’t say I expected anything less. We have the laughter, the drama and the tears…and oh, this really, really, over the top press conference scene where she lashes out at the media. FINALLY. I just wish it actually happened in real life more often.
Let’s not forget that really hot and sizzling item song “Halkat Jawani”, which sounds AMAZING. Kareena shows some serious moves (I just hope there is more and not just what we’ve seen so far). Looks like the film has the typical Bollywood elements in place. Box office moola? Still unknown, until it’s release.
However, my one teeny issue with the trailer, actually not teeny – but BIG issue is that its void of a storyline. After all, the whole point of filmmaking is to tell stories, right? Anyway, I shouldn’t be so harsh, many trailers in Bollywood these days function as “extended first looks” instead of portraying what they should in the traditional sense. I am sure as a button that Bhandarkar has a story to tell – as he always does. I hope this film isn’t just about the typical “rise and fall” of a superstar. He’s already done it in 2008′s Fashion starring Priyanka Chopra, and the trailer already looks like a mix of both Fashion and 2011′s big hit The Dirty Picture.
Let’s be honest, the drama in the world of glitz and glamour is far more interesting in “real” life than it is in the “reel” one. Just saying!
So, the little boy inside me is freaking out. Why? Simply because Sridevi could possibly, and most likely will be making a glamorous appearance at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. She will be coming to Toronto for the Gala Presentation of her upcoming film English Vinglish. Now, you must be asking yourself…what’s so good about Sridevi? and for those of you asking that question, I ask..How dare you? Sridevi defined the 1980′s in Bollywood cinema. She brought her South Indian charm to the Hindi movie scenario and wooed everyone with her dancing and brilliant comic timing.
She’s a powerhouse.
My early childhood was spent admiring two women. Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. The former ruled the 1980′s and the latter ruled the 1990′s – two eras in which I was 1) alive, 2) learned that Bollywood films were a PASSION and 3) I learned how to dance. All in all, Sridevi and Madhuri were both integral in my schooling as a Bollywood passionista.
What made Sridevi special was that she could portray the most complex of characters and still deliver light-hearted moments with her comic capabilities. Anyone remember that hilarious scene from the 1985 Bollywood classic Masterji where Sridevi tries to sexually arouse the late Rajesh Khanna without being too forward – only to achieve what she intended through a song and dance? I do. Hilarious.
Scene and “Swami ji” song from Masterji
And of course, she knew how to dance. Sridevi came from a time when natural talent was admired and when Bollywood actors were what the industry liked to call “complete packages”: actors that looked good, acted well and knew how to dance. After her Filmfare Award nominated role as Jhanki in 1997′s Judaai, Sridevi left the business and hasn’t graced the big screen since.
15 years later, Sridevi is back with Gauri Shinde‘s English Vinglish. The film tells the story of an Indian woman who struggles to learn the English language in order to help provide for her family – hence the “Vinglish” in the title. From the first look of the trailer, we can witness Sridevi’s brillance in comedy and how she brings an innocence on screen that is captivating. What’s more, the film is being simultaneously release in Tamil as well, since Sridevi was first a Tollywood (Tamil cinema) megastar before become extremely successful in Bollywood cinema as well. A Tamil version of the films Trailer has also been released.
The 2012 Toronto International Film Festival has chosen a Bollywood film that truly is international in nature. With scenes shot in New York City and the representation of both Indian and North American society, the film promises to be a comedic cultural fusion – in pure Sridevi style.
Theatrical Trailer of English Vinglish (Hindi)
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For your viewing pleasure as well as the unitiated, below are some of Sridevi‘s most memorable dance sequences.
Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau – Chandni
Mein Teri Dushman – Nagina
Naino Mein Sapna – Himmatwala
We are a few hours away from the press conference for the 37th Toronto International Film Festival, however it seems Variety has jumped the gun and published the list online and boy are there some great films led by the opening night gala, Rian Johnson‘s time travel action thriller Looper.
We’ll go into more detail later on however here is the full list:
Opening Night Film Rian Johnson Looper
Galas
Ben Affleck Argo Billy Bob Thorton Jayne Mansfield’s Car Liz Garbus Love, Marilyn Shola Lynch Free Angela and All Political Prisoners David O. Russell Silver Linings Playbook Derek Cianfrance The Place Beyond the Pines Deepa Mehta Midnight’s Children Roger Mitchell Hyde Park on Hudson Mike Newell Great Expectations Rubba Nadda Inescapable Sergio Castelitto Twice Born Gauri Shinde English Vinglish Mira Nair The Reluctant Fundamentalist Robert Redford The Company You Keep Nikolai Arcel A Royal Affair Hur Jin-Ho Dangerous Liaisons Hideki Takeuchi Thermae Romae
Special Presentations
The Wachowski Cloud Atlas Stephen Chbosky The Perks of Being a Wallflower Stuart Blumberg Thanks for Sharing David Ayer End of Watch Robert Puccini and Shari Spring Berman Imogene Yaron Zilberman A Late Quartet Joss Whedon Much Ado About Nothing Noah Baumbach Frances Ha Nenad Cicin-Sain The Time Being Josh Boone Writers Ramin Bahrani At Any Price Maiken Baird Venus and Serena Neil Jordan Byzantium Dustin Hoffman Quartet Sally Potter Ginger and Rosa Ben Timlett, Bill Jones and Jeff Simpson A Liar’s Autobiography Laurent Cantet Foxfire Francois Ozon In the House J.A. Bayona The Impossible Margarethe von Trotta Hannah Arendt Andrew Adamson Mr. Pip Costa-Gavras Capital Ziad Doueiri The Attack Eran Riklis’ Zaytoun Baltasar Kormakur The Deep Nishikawa Miwa’s Dreams for Sale Lu Chuan The Last Supper Joe Wright Anna Karenina Chen Kaige Caught in the Web Marco Bellocchio Dormant Beauty Ana Piterbarg Everybody Has a Plan Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg Kon-Tiki Terrence Malick To the Wonder Matteo Garrone Reality Stephane Brize A Few Hours of Spring Thomas Vinterberg The Hunt Ariel Vromen The Iceman Cate Shortland Lore Pablo Larrain No Takeshi Kitano Outrage Beyond Jacquest Audiard Rust and Bone Wayne Blair The Sapphires Stephen Fung Tai Chi 0 Ben Lewis The Sessions
