ABOUT BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER
Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is laying low in Macau – spending his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling what little money he has left. Struggling to keep up with his fast-rising debts, he is offered a lifeline by the mysterious Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino employee with secrets of her own.

However, in hot pursuit is Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) – a private investigator ready to confront Doyle with what he is running from. As Doyle tries to climb to salvation, the confines of reality start to close in.

BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER is directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet On The Western Front, Conclave) and stars Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings and Tilda Swinton.

Director: Edward Berger
Writer: Rowan Joffe
Based on the novel: The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne
Producers: Mike Goodridge, Edward Berger, Matthew James Wilkinson
Director of Photography: James Friend
Production Designer: Jonathan Houlding
Make Up & Hair: Heike Merker
Costume: Lisy Christl
Composer: Volker Bertelmann
Editor: Nick Emerson
Starring Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings and Tilda Swinton

By Mr. Will Wong

Director Edward Berger is back after a strong showing last awards season with Conclave. This time around, we are doing 180 from the church and going right to the casino.

We meet Lord Freddy Doyle (Colin Farrell), a swindler, running from Detective Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) as he continues to live above his means, landing at an opulent casino in Macao. Here he meets a hostess named Dao Ming (Fala Chen), who is sympathetic to his vices, and they strike a connection together.

Just as Freddy is about to hit rock bottom, he gets the opportunity to take the biggest gamble of his life, which could mean enough riches to sort him out and repay some debts. But at what cost would this come?

It is impossible not to call out just how beautifully-shot BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER is. Frames are wide and filled with so much detail and hypercolour, capturing how grand Freddy is and wishes to be. Farrell is fantastic, navigating his compulsiveness. Everything feels urgent and we are invested throughout. Certainly among his best performances, in a career which keeps reaching new heights.

BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER screens at TIFF ’25 as follows:

Tuesday, September 9
VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Premium
Closed captions (CC),
Audio description (AD)
3:30 pm

Wednesday, September 10
VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Closed captions (CC),
Audio description (AD)
2:30 pm

Saturday, September 13
TIFF Lightbox
Closed captions (CC),
Audio description (AD)
9:30 am
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it’s a bittersweet feeling as we near the half-way point of tiff50. but we are thrilled that we finally get a chance to see some films, which is always what has made this festival so special for us! make no mistake though, there are still some very notable names in-town!

some day six sightings:

•shu qi (pronounced “shoo chee”) at tiff for girl

•rebecca zlotowski and jodie foster at tiff for a private life

•colin farrell and fala chen at tiff for ballad of a small player

•plus a day four flashback with matt johnson and jay mccarrol of nirvanna the band the show the movie

highlights here:

(photo/video credit: mr. will wong)

Searchlight Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see TIFF ’22 selection, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. Screenings take place as follows Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Toronto: Cineplex Varsity at 7:00 pm
Montreal: Cineplex Forum at 7:00 pm
Vancouver: Cineplex International Village at 7:00 pm

Synopsis:

Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate in the comments there your City.

Rules and regulations here.

Searchight Pictures release THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN in theatres October 28, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Martin McDonagh’s latest is set on the fictional island of Inisherin, just off Ireland’s west coast. Pádraic (Colin Farrell delivering a knockout performance) and Colm (a hilarious Brendan Gleeson) have been lifelong friends, well until now. Out of nowhere, Colm tells Pádraic that he doesn’t want to be friends anymore. For the life of him, Pádraic cannot figure out why.

This pitch-black, pitch-perfect comedic fable is McDonagh at his best. It touches on wounded friendship and grievances that lead to shocking consequences, fittingly set during the Irish Civil War in 1923. Just like in true McDonagh fashion, his Script is laced with brutally honest characters. Farrell and Gleeson reunite with McDonagh after their 2008 smash hit In Bruges to give us the two nuanced, distinctive characters.

At first, Pádraic can’t understand why Colm doesn’t want to be his friend anymore. And neither can the audience. However, we soon see that Colm just wants to leave an indelible mark on the world with his music. And he doesn’t think he can achieve that by spending all his time with Pádraic. Yet, it’s Pádraic’s refusal to accept the end of their friendship that leads Colm to make a gruesome ultimatum. It’s one that is so absurd, it’s hilarious.

Just like in many small towns, this feud between lifelong friends becomes everyone’s business. The most impacted is Pádraic’s sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon). She must deal with the depression her brother falls into over the feud. Condon is outstanding as the smart Siobhan. Then there’s the young, often daft, Dominic (Barry Keoghan). Dominic isn’t the brightest guy in town, but he’s the nicest guy with the biggest heart. Keoghan leaves a lasting impact.

Overall, McDonagh delivers a hilarious narrative that makes us think about forgiving our past grievances. All the laughs make us consume the heavy themes of the Film. Primarily that fact that feuds tend to grow bigger and lead to more serious, often violent, outcomes. This is shown in the intimate story of their wounded friendship and the war seen across the bay. The entire Cast knock it out of the park. It’s truly one of the greatest Films of the year.

The Banshees of Inisherin screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 6:30 pm

Tue, Sep 13 IN-PERSON at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 1:30 pm

Thu, Sep 15 IN-PERSON at Scotiabank Theatre at 9:00 pm

Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON at Real Alexandra Theatre at 8:30 pm

A new Trailer has arrived for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN reuniting Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, and premiering at TIFF ’22!

Synopsis:

Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.

Searchlight Pictures release THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN October 21, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

Apple TV+ have announced a new Series Order for SUGAR. The Sci-Fi Series will star Colin Farrell, who also serves as Executive Producer. Creator Mark Protosevich (‘Thor”, “The Cell”) also will be Executive Producer.

Hailing from Apple Studios, the new series is set to be directed by Academy Award-nominee Fernando Meirelles (“City of God,” “Constant Gardner,” “Two Popes”), who will also serve as Executive Producer, and executive produced by Academy and Emmy Award nominee Simon Kinberg (“X-Men” films, “Deadpool” films, “The Martian”), Audrey Chon (“Invasion,” “The Twilight Zone”) and Scott Greenberg (“The Guilty”). Chip Vucelich also executive produces.

“Sugar” marks the second collaboration for Kinberg’s Genre Films and Apple TV+, and will stream alongside the global hit series “Invasion,” which recently received a second season renewal. The series is a moving, character-driven science-fiction drama series, co-created, written and executive produced by Kinberg and David Weil.

More to come.

(Photo credit: Matt Easton)

Great news! Elevation Pictures will be releasing AFTER YANG in Canada, after its raves at both Cannes and Sundance recently. See the new Trailer below.

Synopsis:

In a world where robotic children are purchased as live-in babysitters, a father and daughter attempt to save the life of their robotic family member, Yang, who has become unresponsive.

From writer/director Kogonada and starring Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, Sarita Choudhury, Clifton Collins Jr. and Haley Lu Richardson.

AFTER YANG is coming soon.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

By David Baldwin

After premiering at Cannes this past July, celebrated Writer/Director Kogonada’s second feature AFTER YANG finally makes its North American debut. It takes place in the near future, where families live with sentient AI android helpers and companions. When Yang (Justin H. Min from The Umbrella Academy), the AI helper for Jake (Colin Farrell), Kyra (Jodie Turner-Smith) and young Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja), malfunctions and breaks down, the family is distraught. Jake bought him “certified refurbished”, so he cannot just get him repaired quickly. When his attempts at fixing Yang uncover that he has been recording memories, it sets Jake off on an existential journey he did not expect.

AFTER YANG is a quiet, contemplative film that examines loss and grief, at the same time as it hones in on joy and humanity. The Science-Fiction elements are a mere conduit for Kogonada (adapting Alexander Weinstein’s short story) to be able to hop in and out of dreams and memories. There is some feeling hovering around the power of nostalgia in some instances, but it feels more like the kind of heady, introspective material that makes you rethink your own memories. The rhythmic, fever dream nature of the Film will be off-putting to some, and spiritually hypnotic to others. Fair warning to the naysayers though – you will miss out on some of the most majestic production design and incredibly expansive use of colour to hit the screen in a long time.

The entire Cast is magnificent, with Farrell adding another terrific, meditative performance to his on-going career renaissance, and Turner-Smith and Tjandrawidjaja bringing a plethora of emotion and beauty to every scene they appear in. Min is great in his small role, as is Haley Lu Richardson who plays the mysterious Ada. And while I will not give away the circumstances, AFTER YANG contains one of the greatest post-modern dance scenes of the past decade. Maybe of all time. Expect many delightful memes and gifs to appear online once this wonderfully picture sees wide release.

AFTER YANG screens at Sundance as follows:

PREMIERE Jan 21 1:45PM EST Available Until Jan 21 4:45PM EST

SECOND SCREENING Jan 23 10:00AM EST Available Until Jan 24 10:00AM EST

VVS Films x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Digital Download of acclaimed Guy Ritchie film, THE GENTLEMEN.

Synopsis:
THE GENTLEMEN follows American expat Mickey Pearson who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win a free Digital Download, click “like” on this Post over at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet as well from @mrwillw for an extra chance. Contest is open in Canada only.

Rules and regulations here.

VVS Films release THE GENTLEMEN as follows:
Available now on Digital
April 7, 2020 on Video-on-Demand
April 21, 2020 on DVD, DVD-Blu-ray Combo Pack

Follow VVS Films on Twitter: @vvs_films and Facebook here.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)