Hollywood’s A-list stars are converging in Toronto for North America’s largest film festival, a 10-day extravaganza that blends Oscar bait movies, timely documentaries, and glitz. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicked off on Thursday, September 5, in its grand return to form following last year’s subdued event due to the twin strikes by actors and writers.
The previous year’s festivities were notably dimmer, with high-profile stars largely absent from the red carpets owing to union protocols. Despite a stellar lineup of films, the 2023 edition lacked the star-studded presence that fans have come to expect. This year, however, the festival promises to rekindle the glamour.
Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman are some of the major names set to grace Canada’s biggest city. With such allure, the excitement amongst audiences is palpable. “Toronto is known for its audience excitement, and that excitement reaches a fever pitch when the biggest stars in the world are here,” remarked Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, in an interview with AFP. “We’re glad that we are having a festival without some of the constraints of last year, although I do think we were able to do the very best we could given the circumstances.”
Kicking off the ceremony is Ben Stiller’s family dramedy “Nutcrackers,” his first feature film in seven years. Set in Chicago, the film revolves around a real estate developer who must relocate to Ohio to tend to his four nephews following a family tragedy. Recently, Stiller has pivoted more towards directing, working on acclaimed television projects like “Escape at Dannemora” and “Severance.”
Another highly anticipated premiere is Ron Howard’s enigmatic “Eden,” a survival film starred by Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney. The film, set amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Galapagos Islands, debuts on Saturday.
Angelina Jolie comes to Toronto following her lauded portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in “Maria” at the Venice Film Festival. Her latest directorial endeavor, “Without Blood” — a narrative about early 20th-century family and revenge featuring Salma Hayek — is another promising entry in the festival’s lineup.
In total, TIFF is showcasing an extraordinary 278 films this year.
. Documentaries are a significant component of the event, with music icons like John and Springsteen presenting new works about their illustrious careers. They are not alone; other big names in the music industry, such as Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Paul Anka, and Pharrell Williams, are slated to attend screenings of films exploring their personal and professional lives.
Bailey reflected on this music-heavy programming, noting that it started as a “crazy accident” and quickly gathered “its own momentum.” “We couldn’t turn one way or another without finding another movie that was really infused with music. And we decided, ‘We’re going to give in,'” he said.
Other gripping documentaries include “The Last Republican,” chronicling former US congressman Adam Kinzinger’s break with his own party, and “Men of War,” which captures a tumultuous 2020 attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
TIFF is part of an autumnal wave of film festivals, joining the ranks of Venice and Telluride to premiere films that are likely to vie for Oscars contention. The Toronto festival stands out by opening screenings to the public, allowing ordinary moviegoers to partake in the cinematic celebration. This inclusivity extends to more feel-good crowd-pleasers like “Nutcrackers” and DreamWorks Animation’s latest creation, “The Wild Robot.”
Among the array of films are inspirational true-story sports dramas. “Unstoppable” tells the story of a college wrestler (played by Jharrel Jerome) who pursues his dream of going pro despite having no right leg, with Jennifer Lopez co-starring as his mother. Also premiering is “The Fire Inside,” a film charting boxer Claressa Shields’ path to Olympic gold.
Running from September 5 to September 15, TIFF culminates with the coveted People’s Choice Award, determined by festival attendees. This accolade has increasingly become a bellwether for the Oscars, with past winners like “Nomadland” and “Green Book” going on to clinch the Academy Award for Best Picture. Last year’s triumphant film, “American Fiction,” earned five Oscar nominations and won the statuette for Best Adapted Screenplay.
As the festival unfolds, Toronto buzzes with cinematic excitement, reaffirming its status as a pivotal platform for contemporary cinema.
Published – September 06, 2024 04:35 pm IST
World cinema / English cinema
