As the weather finally begins to cool off, many of us enjoy time outside, bundled in sweaters, watching the leaves change, and soaking up the last bit of fresh air before it gets too cold. This is also the perfect time to hype up all the movies we will soon be settling into a warm theater to see while the cold dark winter exists outside. That is the great thing about movie theaters; the sense of escape through beautiful story telling. This fall we are looking forward to many new, exciting films. Films that tackle ideas like space exploration, politics, addiction, fame and failure, heists, and of course, love.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), occurring in September, is the longest running international film festival and a great introduction to the films we can plan on seeing later in the season. Since 1976, this popular festival has maintained its reputation for initiating the Oscar buzz. That is the Academy Awards. In the past TIFF was the host for the premier screenings of Black Swan, Mr. Nobody, and American Beauty. This year, it ran from September 6th to the 16th. Many of the featured films won’t hit the theaters until October or even later. For now, here are a few of the highlights: Bradley Cooper’s A Star is Born, featuring Lady Gaga; Felix van Groeningen’s Beautiful Boy, an adaptation of David and Nic Sheff’s memoirs; The documentatian duo of Directors E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Free Solo, the story of a man free climbing El Capitan; Damien Chazelle’s First Man which depicts the struggles of Neil Armstong’s career with NASA and ultimate moon landing. Expect to also hear some buzz for Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk. Jenkins is the director that caught many eyes in 2017 for his breakout film, Moonlight which ended up receiving Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards.
At the end of the second week of the festival, the locals of Toronto argue and vote for the champion film, per tradition. This year that award, The Grolsch People’s Choice Award, went to Peter Farrelly’s Green Book. Starring none other than Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, this film tells the story of an African American Pianist and his newly hired Italian American driver as they tour through the south in the 1960s, using the green book as their guide to safe hotels and restaurants. It seems captivating, as the press is already beginning to interview the cast and crew. Unfortunately, we have to wait for the November 21 release date. In order to shine a little light on women, I am obliged to mention The Kindergarten Teacher, directed and written by Sara Colangelo, produced and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. Hitting the theaters October 12, Colangelo’s story begins as a relatable tale of middle aged monotony yet turns into one of a teacher’s true passion for helping her students.
TIFF screened hundreds more movies than the few I have mentioned above. There are bound to many successes and many more flops. Hopefully you will find one that brings some emotion, new thoughts, and comfort to the cold season soon to come.
Info: https://www.tiff.net/the-review/tiff-18-award-winners/