TIFF Celebrates Its 50th Birthday
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to begin on September 4, promising over 200 feature films and a strong Quebec presence. This year's event is particularly exciting, with a host of highly anticipated films set to grace the silver screen.
One of the most eagerly awaited films is Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," which stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth. Del Toro himself will be presenting the film at the festival. The director's return to the TIFF forefront follows his acclaimed debut "Son of Saul" by László Nemes, who is also back with "Orphan."
Anne Émond's "Amour apocalypse" will close the festival, marking a fitting end to a promising lineup. Other notable films include Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," which imagines the existence of William and Agnes Shakespeare after the tragic death of their son Hamnet.
The opening film is "John Candy: I Like Me," directed by Colin Hanks, the son of Tom Hanks. Dwayne Johnson stars in "The Smashing Machine" by Benny Safdie, while "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig is another anticipated film.
TIFF remains a must-attend event despite competition from other festivals like Venice and Telluride. The red carpet will be walked by filmmakers and actors, including François Lévesque, who is in Toronto, in part thanks to the support of Telefilm Canada.
The festival will also see the departure of Benoit Dorais, who is leaving politics this fall after 16 years as the mayor of Sud-Ouest. Guy Rocher, an engaged sociologist, has also passed away recently. His work focused on education, secularism, democracy, and rights in modern Quebec.
King Street in Toronto has been temporarily pedestrianized, adding to the festival's vibrant atmosphere. Many of these films are expected to be nominated for Oscars, making this year's TIFF a significant event in the world of cinema.
Some other films to watch out for include Joachim Trier's "Valeur sentimentale (Affeksjonsverdi)," Kleber Mendonça Filho's "L'agent secret (O Agente Secreto)," and Jafar Panahi's "Palme d'or Un simple accident (Yek tasadof-e sadeh)." Local films such as Eric K. Boulianne's "Folichonneries," Philippe Falardeau's "Mille secrets mille dangers," Melanie Charbonneau's "Out Standing (Seule au front)," and Mathieu Denis' "Gagne ton ciel" will also be presented at the festival.
As the festival approaches, it's clear that TIFF 2023 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of cinema, art, and culture.
