The 40th annual Toronto International Film Festival opens its doors September 10 to 20, premiering over 360 films in a variety of genres. Filmmaker James Cameron once said, “The film industry is about saying ‘no’ to people, and inherently you cannot take ‘no’ for an answer.” Knowing that you might have the chance to be the first to ever watch these films on the big screen is a tempting offer. However, we at Excalibur are here to help you pick which films to watch, and which ones to just say no to.
Here is our must-see list at TIFF.
The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott
Easily one of the most anticipated films premiering at TIFF, this action-packed movie is a look into the final frontier. Perhaps this is Scott’s response to the widely popular Gravity by taking space exploration one step further to the red planet. In this movie, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is left on Mars after a storm breaks out, prompting his team to disembark their mission. Assuming they have left for good, Watney must move towards the central station and use the resources left behind by the crew to survive.
Despite having an all-star cast including Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Jeff Daniels, we anticipate that much like Gravity, there will be plenty of Matt Damon monologues, which is a scary thought considering Damon’s limited number of expressions. We anticipate the film will be a huge success considering its promotions, the cast, and the director, and will continue the space themed film trend of Gravity and Interstellar.
The Danish Girl, directed by Tom Hooper
A familiar trend in film and television is the representation of LGBTQ community, particularly transgendered characters. This Tom Hooper film follows the story of one of the first recipients of sexual reassignment surgery. Based on the fictionalized book by David Ebershoff, it stars Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, the 1920s Danish painter, who after posing as a woman for his wife’s painting, rediscovers his sexual identity and becomes determined to unleash his true self. Although the book is bound to end in tragedy due to Elbe’s death three months after her final surgery, the film is also bound to be alive with controversy, shock, and a powerful performance by Redmayne. Hooper stated in an interview that Redmayne was his only choice in casting Elbe, believing in him as actor, but much like Jared Leto for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, Redmayne is receiving criticism from trans-activists, who believe transgendered roles should be played by transgendered actors.
Fans of 2010s The King’s Speech will enjoy the film, as both films deal with a character overcoming personal odds to find their true potential, with strong leading actors to portray the historical figures.
The Lobster, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
A dramedy set in a fictional world where newly single people are required to find a new romantic partner within 45 days, or are otherwise transformed into an animal of their choosing, and released into the wild. Intersecting somewhere between magic and reality, the film was positively received at the Cannes Film Festival, taking home the Jury Prize.
Colin Farrell stars as David, a man recently left by his wife, who after a series of awkward fetes, escapes into a nearby forest only to meet the Short-Sighted Woman, played by Rachel Weisz. The two characters connect by creating a silent language using only movements while exploring the surrounding forest, only to discover their commonalities as oddballs.
With sardonic dialogue and a fast-paced story, this film is recommended for fans of dry comedies and quirky action sequences.
Remember, directed by Atom Egoyan
The film is a suspenseful thriller that follows the retired senior Zev, played by Christopher Plummer, who runs away from his nursing home to exact revenge on the man who killed his family. That is, if he manages to remember his plan. Alzheimer’s in senior citizens can often be presented with humour, as in the Swedish film The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared, or with extreme sadness and pity, as in The Notebook or Still Alice. Egoyan uses Hitchcockian film techniques to tell a thrilling adventure of revenge, moral gravity, and family honour, mixed with black-humour and memory loss.
Remember is a dark, humorous thriller that should have you at the edge of your seat, hopefully not because you want to leave, but rather because you are taken on a ride with Zev.
Brooklyn, directed by John Crowley
A historic retelling of the american dream, Brooklyn tells the story of a young Irish woman who travels to the United States in the 1950s, based on the 2009 book by Colm Tóibín. The film premiered in early 2015 at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. The bright and saturated scenes reflect the brightly optimistic dreams of Eilis Lacey, played by Saoirse Ronan, as she navigates through life as an immigrant woman in the early 1950s.
A romance takes over the plot, but the film remains true to the main arch of family, nationalism, and finding a place to call home.
The film might seem like a chick-flick from a distance, but don’t let that fool you from watching this historical-period drama that is bound to propel Ronan’s still-budding young career.
Rishi Syam, Contributor
Victoria Goldberg, Arts Editor
Images courtesy of Toronto International Film Festival
