By David Baldwin

An earthquake has ripped through Seoul leaving mass devastation in its wake. Millions are dead and buildings and roads have been reduced to rubble. The only thing left standing is the Hwang Gung apartment complex, where the residents continue to wait for a rescue that is not coming anytime soon. With groups of survivors desperately seeking food and shelter daily, the residents join together to decide on the next course of action and how they will survive the harsh winter ahead.

The title of this film may be CONCRETE UTOPIA, but it resembles more of a dystopic nightmare. Co-Writer/Director Um Tae-hwa’s Social Thriller (based off a Webtoon) is an unsettling and shocking experience that becomes gradually more disturbing as it progresses. It is incredibly bleak and brutal yet feels restrained – I certainly thought it was going to devolve into something much more repulsive than it does. The Film reminded me a lot of George A. Romero’s legendary Dawn of the Dead as well as the video game/TV series The Last of Us in its look, feel and themes. Um does not rip off either source wholesale, rather he uses them as more of a blueprint for the hellscape Seoul has become. The CGI and horrific set design work are both quite stellar as well.

While there is one specific reveal I wish Um used closer to the finale as opposed to early on, my only other gripe with CONCRETE UTOPIA is the sheer amount of characters and exposition they have to deliver. He wisely only returns to life seconds prior to the earthquake twice and confidently leaves some questions and plot threads unresolved. But Um gets bogged down in some of the specifics and relies a bit too heavily on montages. Worse, he does not do nearly enough to differentiate the characters beyond the leads played by Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young and an absolutely deplorable Lee Byung-hun. They each do a great job in their roles and terrifically handle the moral quandaries that are endlessly thrown at them. A tighter line of sight from Um could have made their work even stronger.

CONCRETE UTOPIA screens at TIFF’23:

Sunday, September 10 at 5:00 PM at Roy Thomson Hall

Monday, September 11 at 10:50 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Friday, September 15 at 9:00 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Saturday, September 16 at 8:30 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

The Toronto International Film Festival® ― which concluded last evening with the Closing Night screening of Thom Zimny’s Sly at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall ― has announced its award recipients for the 48th edition of the Festival.

“We’re grateful to all the audience members, artists, industry professionals, and supporters who graced Toronto’s cinemas, red carpets, meeting spaces, and streets,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “As we recognize award winners today, we thank everyone who contributed to this glorious, collective gift.”

“From the most revered veterans to the freshest new voices, this year’s Festival played host to the diverse range of filmmakers Toronto is known for,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “And Toronto’s filmgoers turned up in huge numbers to be a part of the celebration. We’re grateful to our film jurors for their invaluable contributions, for championing emerging talent, and for enriching the film community with their expertise and passion.”

SHORT CUTS AWARDS

Short Cuts Awards are for Best Film, Best Canadian Film, and the Share Her Journey Award for best film by a woman. Each winning film will receive a bursary of $10,000 CAD. The winners of the three awards are:

Short Cuts Award for Best Film: Electra, dir. Daria Kashcheeva
Jury’s statement: “Singular and accomplished, this sickly sweet nightmare of a film packs a mighty final punch. Visceral and infinitely textured, it leads us down a contorted rabbit hole with thematic and visual prowess. With great pleasure, the jury presents the Short Cuts Award for Best Short Film to Electra, directed by Daria Kashcheeva. Electra resonates with under-the-skin discomfort long after the film is over.”

Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Film: Motherland, dir. Jasmin Mozaffari
Jury’s statement: “Displaying great mastery of craft, this incredibly ambitious film excels in its direction, performances, sound, and picture, with every frame exhibiting love and intention. The jury is pleased to present the Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film to Motherland directed by Jasmin Mozaffari. The film left us with one word collectively: wow.”

Share Her Journey Award: Shé (Snake), dir. Renee Zhan
Jury’s statement: “For this film’s incredibly original and surreal creativity, which is matched with beautiful acting, the jury is thrilled to give the Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award to Renee Zhan for Shé (Snake). It’s not common to be bewitched by grotesque creatures in a film, but here they captured the hearts of the audience thanks to their humour and charm.”

Honourable Mention: Gaby’s Hills, dir. Zoé Pelchat
Jury’s statement: “Featuring an ensemble cast with incredible organic chemistry, Gaby’s Hills delivered a moving portrayal of a girl in puberty returning home to find her womanhood reflected back to her in the community. Carefully crafted with layered themes, the jury is delighted to present an honourable mention for the Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award to Gaby’s Hills, directed by Zoé Pelchat.”

The 2023 jurors for the Short Cuts Awards are Aisha Jamal, Araya Mengesha, and Shasha Nakhai.

NETPAC AWARD

The 2023 NETPAC jury members include: Sung Moon, Haolun Shu, and Lalita Krishna.

TIFF is delighted to announce that the 2023 NETPAC Jury has selected Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s A Match as this year’s NETPAC winner.

The 2023 NETPAC jury released the following statement: “First, the jury would like to express how impressed they were by the strong films in this category, which covered a range of social issues using diverse artistic styles. The jury gives an honourable mention to Mimang, where director Kim Taeyang created a lyrical tale through visuals of a changing city that perfectly captured the longing of its protagonists. The NETPAC award was instituted to promote Asian cinema and to bring international attention to independent and non-mainstream films focusing on the discovery of new talent. The jury commends the courage of this year’s winner, a first time feature director, for taking a risk and delivering a story that is enlightening and entertaining. The director worked with a cast of non-actors that not only resulted in a stellar performance, but achieved a level of authenticity needed to drive home the social message. An immersive portrayal of life in an Indian village, highlighting its oppressive patriarchal customs, the NETPAC award this year goes to A Match by Jayant Digambar Somalkar.”

FIPRESCI PRIZE

The 2023 FIPRESCI jury members include: Cem Altinsaray, Elijah Baron, Jindřiška Bláhová, Diego Faraone,
and Jenni Zylka.

The jury is delighted to announce Seagrass, dir. Meredith Hama-Brown, as this year’s FIPRESCI winner.

The 2023 FIPRESCI jury released the following statement: “A married couple in crisis seems willing to give what is usually the last resource to save its bond: couples therapy, while they’re having a vacation at the Pacific coast together with their two daughters. Their contact with other couples is an inevitable temptation and a fire test. Meanwhile, their daughters confront the world, their fears, puberty — and the ghosts of unresolved conflicts of their parents. This intimate, endearing, and wonderfully framed first feature film by young Canadian actor and director Meredith Hama-Brown skillfully deals with subjects like masculinity, family taboos, motherhood, and structural anti-Asian racism. Hama-Brown carefully stages her convincing actors, especially the young ones, and even gives life to a tender relationship between a little girl and a ball.
We are happy to honour the film Seagrass with the International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) at TIFF 2023.”

AMPLIFY VOICES AWARDS PRESENTED BY CANADA GOOSE

This year, Canada Goose will again present the Amplify Voices Awards to under-represented filmmakers in Canada. Feature films in Official Selection by Canadian BIPOC filmmakers are eligible for the Best Feature and Best First Feature Award. The Amplify Voices Award will also celebrate a Canadian BIPOC trailblazer, recognizing a producer who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape. The three winners will receive a cash prize of $10,000 each, made possible by Canada Goose.

The three Amplify Voices Awards presented by Canada Goose winners are:

Amplify Voices Award – Best BIPOC Canadian Feature: Kanaval, dir. Henri Pardo
Jury’s statement: “There has never been a Canadian film that captures both magical realism and post-colonial trauma in such a beautiful, poetic, and convincing way. Seamless in the way the story has been weaved together, this film refuses to follow a linear storyline, understanding intimately how the past and future always exist in the present, and lifting centuries-old legacies into the cinema. Centered around the powerful and awe-inducing performance of newcomer Rayan Dieudonné, this film is an honest ode to the immigrant experience. The jury celebrates Kanaval and the singular cinematic talent of Henri Pardo.”

Amplify Voices Award for Best BIPOC Canadian First Feature Award: Tautuktavuk (What We See), dirs. Carol Kunnuk, Lucy Tulugarjuk
Jury’s statement: “Through powerful self-representation, this story honours rituals that have been and rituals that are made anew, reflecting a rare purity in its filmmaking approach. The makers of this film powerfully capture truth in its most unadorned form, turning the camera inward to both look at and listen to themselves and their community, placing trust in and honouring the authenticity of their voices. The jury celebrates the co-directors of Tautuktavuk, Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, for their work in powerfully navigating difficult and necessary conversations from a place of unapologetic ownership and unwavering communal care.”

The 2023 jurors for the Amplify Voices Awards presented by Canada Goose are V.T. Nayani, Nisha Pahuja, and Ricardo Acosta.

The Amplify Voices Award also celebrates a Canadian BIPOC Trailblazer, recognizing a producer who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape.

The 2023 Amplify Voices Trailblazer Award was presented to Damon D’Oliveira, producer.

Damon is a veteran producer responsible for bringing to screen some of Canada’s most critically and commercially successful films and television (Brother, Rude, The Grizzlies, The Book of Negroes, and Wildhood). An early champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion both in front and behind the camera, Damon’s career has focused on producing content that centered underrepresented, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ voices. His latest film, Brother, directed by Clement Virgo, had its World Premiere at TIFF 2022 to strong critical acclaim and has been invited to a number of additional festivals including the Busan Film Festival, Sao Paulo Film Festival, and in Competition at the BFI London, Gothenburg, and Tromsø Film Festivals.

BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD

The 2023 Best Canadian Feature jury members include: V.T. Nayani, Susan Maggi, and Ricardo Acosta. TIFF is delighted to announce that the 2023 Jury has selected Solo, dir. Sophie Dupuis as this year’s Best Canadian Feature Film.

Jury’s statement: “Sophie Dupuis’s Solo is a specifically intimate and deeply affecting film, full of palpable care and honesty. Whatever your entry point to this film, there is a place for you as part of a larger story and conversation, which is more critical than ever. This coming-of-age narrative is ultimately a film about family, both blood and chosen, and the complications and beauties of both. And it is a story of love, in all of its iterations, of how it can both fail us and set us free.”

BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD HONORABLE MENTION: Kanaval, dir. Henri Pardo
Jury’s statement: “There has never been a Canadian film that captures both magical realism and post-colonial trauma through the singular lens of a young child, in such a beautiful, poetic, and convincing way. The jury is pleased to award an Honorable Mention to Henri Pardo’s Kanaval.”

CHANGEMAKER AWARD

The Changemaker Award is presented to a Festival film that explores issues relevant to young people and is focused on themes of social change and youth empowerment. The award embraces the power in young people seeing their communities represented on screen and celebrates the next generation of storytellers and changemakers in cinema. The winning film comes with a $10,000 CAD prize, and is selected by TIFF’s Next Wave Committee, a group of young film lovers who recognize cinema’s power to transform the world.

The 2023 jurors for the Changemaker Award are members of TIFF’s Next Wave Committee: Maggie Kane, Linc Guo, Serena Hao, Roni Harel Haber, Ray Wu, Naiya Forrester, Maya Al-Arami, Sara Rana, Daniel Leplae, Tara Sidhu, Tafadzwa Mangwiro, and Elizabeth Albrecht.

The 2023 Changemaker Award is presented to We Grown Now, dir. Minhal Baig.

Minhal Baig offered this statement: “Thank you so much to the Next Wave Committee in recognizing We Grown Now for the Changemaker Award. When I first began interviewing former Cabrini-Green residents years ago, I was deeply moved and surprised by the experiences they shared with me. They spoke both of the challenges and joys of life in a public housing project. It was essential in making the film that we embrace that reality and present the high rises through the lens of children who called it home. Though the high rises have long since been demolished, Cabrini-Green remains an indelible part of the history of Chicago and public housing in America, and I hope the film sparks meaningful cultural conversation. I am beyond honoured that the Next Wave Committee has recognized the film and the importance of its social issues.”

TIFF’s Next Wave Committee provided this statement: “We Grown Now offers a compelling depiction of family and friendship within the backdrop of Chicago’s public housing project, Cabrini-Green. Frequently shadowed by the stereotypes of drugs, violence, and crime, this film strives to break the mold. Minhal dedicated a significant amount of time to connect with former residents of the now-demolished homes to learn their stories. The result is a profound and significant story of boyhood innocence and hope, and the struggle two young friends face as they grapple with the possibility of saying goodbye to each other. We were able to connect with this film because we saw friends and family in it, the struggles they face everyday, and the parts of their lives we may never personally know. We believe in the self-discovery and power that comes from seeing your community represented in film. We know how dedicated Minhal is to tell stories that matter and that mean something to those they are about, and we hope that this award will aid her in her journey forward.”

PLATFORM AWARD

The Platform Award is an award of $20,000 CAD given to the best film in the programme, selected by an in-person international jury. This year’s jury members are: Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim.

The 2023 Platform Award is awarded to: Dear Jassi, dir. Tarsem Singh Dhandwar.

The Platform Jury released this statement: “Dear Jassi was a unanimous choice for this year’s Platform Award for its honest and poignant portrayal of a subject matter that still affects large portions of individuals forced to live under the inhumanity of bitter caste systems throughout the globe. The film has the perfect blend of craft, purpose, and faith in its audience, creating a world that is both richly cinematic and steadfastly realistic. The young leads, Yugam Sood and Pavia Sidhu, are by turns breathtaking and, in performances that pull no punches, heartbreaking. Altogether an emphatic work by director Tarsem Singh Dhandwar and his many wonderful collaborators; a film that would be worthy of accolades in any section and which we enthusiastically welcome into the pantheon of winners in this Platform section.”

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

For the 47th year, the People’s Choice Awards distinguish the audience’s top title at the Festival as voted by the viewing public. All films in TIFF’s Official Selection were eligible.

The TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award winner is Dicks: The Musical dir. Larry Charles.
The first runner-up is Kill dir. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.
The second runner-up is Hell of a Summer dirs. Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk.

The TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Documentary Award winner is Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe dir. Robert McCallum.
The first runner-up is Summer Qamp dir. Jen Markowitz.
The second runner-up is Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa dir. Lucy Walker.

The TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Award winner is: American Fiction dir. Cord Jefferson.
The first runner-up is The Holdovers dir. Alexander Payne.
The second runner-up is The Boy and the Heron dir. Hayao Miyazaki.

By Mr. Will Wong

In many ways, Annette Bening‘s long overdue recognition mirrors that of the subject she plays, Diana Nyad in NYAD. In 2013, after multiple failed attempts, she became the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Key West, without a cage to protect her from sharks. And Diana did this at the age of 64 above this.

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin co-direct this Biopic which recounts Diana‘s painstaking journey to overcome the odds, and also her relationships with those around her who helped make it happen. We meet her best friend and trainer Bonnie (Jodie Foster) and navigator John (Rhys Ifans) who also are pushed to the limits, putting aside their lives to help Diana accomplish her impossible goal.

Cinematography by Claudio Miranda is magnificent, capturing the hypnotic beauty and also deadly dangers of the waters on which Diana and crew must tread to reach their destination. This, paired with a Soundtrack that is deeply personal to her, helping immerse us into our subject’s world, told both through flashbacks and in linear fashion in the timeframe Diana decides to embark her journey once again. The Film explores the price of ambition and the trickle effects of this

NYAD is immensely uplifting and perhaps the Movie that many of us need right now. Bening has never been better and is so convincing, nailing the physicality, vulnerability and strength that define Diana Nyad. Foster‘s Bonnie is that one BFF we all need in our lives, turning in a performance that feels truly lived-in. A Film made with its sights set on Awards Season glory and it very likely will get there.

NYAD screens at TIFF ’23:

Thursday, September 14

Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Descriptive sound
5:45 PM

Saturday, September 16

TIFF Bell Lightbox
Closed captioning
9:30 PM

By David Baldwin

“Someone is inside.”

That is what Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) tells his pregnant wife Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) one night from the foot of the bed before immediately falling back asleep. She is visibly shaken by this admission yet finds only the dog after inspecting the apartment. As the days go on, Hyun-su begins sleepwalking and gradually doing more disturbing things. They go to a doctor who tells them it is just a REM sleep disorder, but as paranoia sets in, Soo-jin begins to think there may be more to it.

SLEEP is Writer/Director Jason Yu’s first feature and it is likely going to shake you right through to your bones. He tells this couple’s story in three distinct chapters, each more horrifying and unsettling than the last. I was on edge watching the film unfold, frequently stunned by just how far Yu takes the concept and how he loves to toy with his audience in a way that a cat would toy with a mouse. He is also economic with his storytelling, skipping some moments and extraneous plot beats in order to get to other scenes quicker. That may suggest he leaves some glaring plot holes, except it is quite the opposite. He is efficient and precise, never wasting a frame and always finely in tune with where he wants the audience to be at all times.

And the way he uses the confines and claustrophobia of the couple’s small apartment? Simply brilliant.

Lee is remarkable balancing Hyun-su’s daytime confusion and nighttime nightmares, adjusting his demeanour almost too seamlessly. Jung is even better. Her character lives by the mantra of a wall plaque in the couple’s living room – “Together We Can Overcome Anything” – and does everything she can to stick by her man even when she should be running for the hills. Watching her progress through the film and witnessing the exacerbation in her face and body language is terrific, as is the paranoia that propels the film forward. She is our conduit for all of the on-screen horrors that happen from the quiet to the downright shocking, and some expressed just through her spectacular reactions. Jung makes an excellent film become that much more extraordinary.

Fair warning though, you might not like what happens to certain furry four-legged characters.

SLEEP screens at TIFF ’23:

Friday, September 15 at 11:59 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Saturday, September 16 at 9:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

By David Baldwin

The year is 1981 and the South African rugby team is touring New Zealand. People nationwide are upset and taking to the streets to protest. Bullied teenager Josh Waaka (Julian Dennison) is happy to stand aside whenever he sees the protestors. When Josh’s teacher Brother Madigan (Rhys Darby, also at the Festival with Next Goal Wins) witnesses some of his acting, he pushes Josh to audition for drama school. But with a splintered homelife and raging protests outside, Josh is not sure drama school is his best choice right now.

That cynical blurb may not sound like anything special, and the directing team of Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett (who also Co-Wrote) seem keenly aware of that. They pack in every coming-of-age trope you can think of alongside rugby and a tribute to the men and women who protested against social and racial injustices. The Directors jump recklessly from comedy to heartbreak to harrowing moments like Josh filming a protest as the police step in to forcibly disperse the crowd. It is a lot to take in and more dramatic than it may sound reading the description off the TIFF website.

Then something extraordinary happens. You want to stand up and cheer. You want to smile and feel the joys and pains of the actors on-screen. What was a throwaway film we had all seen before becomes a heartwarming underdog story you will not soon forget. And most of these feelings come as a result of Middleditch and Bennett framing and hinging the entirety of UPROAR around Dennison. The young actor, who you will likely remember from Deadpool 2 and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, is captivating and commanding as Josh. He pulls at your heartstrings without trying and lands every emotional beat flawlessly. He is hilarious, self-deprecating and most of all, fearless. He gets propped up by some solid supporting work from Darby and Minnie Driver, who plays Josh’s Mom Shirley, but Dennison knows he is the star of the show. He has always been a scene-stealer and a crowd-pleaser. Let’s hope this role catapults him to the leading man status he so richly deserves.  

UPROAR screens at TIFF’ 23:

Monday, September 11 at 12:15 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Tuesday, September 12 at 2:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sunday, September 17 at 3:05 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

…and that’s a wrap for us! What a TIFF it’s been! And while we were a bit worried about being impacted by a smaller number of talent coming through, somehow we still found ourselves putting in the same amount of time and enjoying the Films just as much as we usually do.

A notable theme among some of our favourites this year was a deep exploration of male-female dynamics as we see the world through a post-#MeToo lens. Some of our favourite films namely MEMORY, DADDIO, THE ROYAL HOTEL and FAIR PLAY, explored deeply-intricate and complex human interactions, which we actually have been craving after periods of isolation these past few years.

While we still have a few movies to see, the star sighting has capped-off for us and we hope you’ve had fun on our adventures! It was so amazing getting to meet some of you in-person finally, old supporters and new!

Day nine sightings were actually loaded were mega-starpower. We saw Sylvester Stallone at TIFF Bell Lightbox heading to his In-Conversation, which we are hearing was amazing. Tomorrow he premieres his Netflix Documentary SLY at Roy Thomson Hall.

Some additional Snaps from our David Baldwin who attended the event:

You know we love our Andy Lau and it was amazing seeing the Chinese-Canadian community come out in droves to see this icon, whose career has spanned five decades. Incredible! He walked the Carpet with Director Ning Hao at Roy Thomson Hall.

A huge thanks again to our supporters and partners including:

CP24
Acura Canada
Cabano’s Cheeseburgers
Starbucks Canada
H&M Canada
Happy Natural Products
Arterra Wines

A reel of highlights here:

Catch-up on all our coverage here.

So grateful for the help of David Baldwin, Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera and Nicholas Porteous for their review contributions!

Until next year! Trust me, we’ve earned some rest!

Mr. Will

Toronto-based Revolver Films celebrated its 40th anniversary with a party during the Toronto International Film Festival on Thurs. Sept. 14, 2023  at Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex, celebrating the people who have helped them achieve four decades of scripted and unscripted storytelling. 

Sponsored by Don Julio, the event brought together notable Canadian filmmakers, producers, talent, media and influencers to celebrate 40 years of storytelling. In attendance were Revolver Founder Don Allan (pictured above, right) and partners Luc Frappier and Richard Cureton, chef Susur Lee, Olympic athlete Donovan Bailey, Kevin O’Leary, Director X, and Michael Jewison.

Revolver Films is behind Award-winning TIFF film Bang Bang Baby, Swimmer, and David Bowie’s Dead Man Walking. Revolver directors have worked with industry icons like Rihanna, Timbaland, Elton John and Drake.

Revolver has four major titles coming out over the next few years, including one movie about the life of jazz icon Miles Davis. Revolver is currently co-producing a six-hour documentary on The Tragically Hip for Amazon. With this international success, Revolver is pleased to be celebrating its 40th anniversary during TIFF. 

Revolver, founded by director Don Allan, is credited with being one of the oldest music video production companies in the world. It went on to produce groundbreaking videos for the likes of Canadian icons such as Rush, The Tragically Hip and Leonard Cohen and later, made its mark internationally with videos for artists such as David Bowie, The White Stripes, and Christina Aguilera.

Since 1983, Revolver Films has built a reputation for world-class advertising, music videos, TV and films. Revolver’s award winning staying power and brand integrity stem from its dedication to producing cutting-edge content with top international creative talent. 

The Little Black Book advertising annual’s 2023 Immortally Awards ranked Revolver Films as the Number 1 Production Company in Canada, the 5th Best in North America and 13th in the World. Revolver Directors have been nominated for more than 60 MMVA’s, winning 30, including 9 for Best Director and several HALL OF FAME AWARDS.

Revolver Directors have worked with industry icons including David Bowie, Elton John, Lenny Kravitz, Drake, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Cardi B, Kayne West, Oasis, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Kendrik Lamar, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef, Jannelle Monae, Sheryl Crow, Seal, LL Cool J, Def Leppard, Metallica, The White Stripes, Iggy Pop,  The Cure and Leonard Cohen, including the Golden Rose-winning I Am A Hotel.

By David Baldwin

A factory fire five years ago is still haunting the plant’s union. They know there is more to it, and with a new incinerator plant being erected and wealthy pockets being lined, the union’s members are starting to get desperate for work. Labour leader Ceca (Tamara Krcunović) is not willing to give up, and with the reappearance of an old union member, starts turning to the occult to turn things around.

Writer/Producer/Director Mladen Đorđević imbues WORKING CLASS GOES TO HELL with a contagious sense of impending dread that never dissipates. You are constantly on edge and not sure of what might happen next; meanwhile Đorđević is ratcheting up the tension in the background to unbearably queasy levels. Additionally, he gives the Film a stark colour scheme, with everything being muted for the majority of time and then illuminates key moments in an extremely bright red (a not so subtle reference to who this group starts praying to no doubt). The settings the union finds themselves in – primarily in and out of Ceca’s apartment – feel so real that you can practically smell the grime and the filth wafting off this Balkan town.

While there are some strange moments permeating throughout the Film and a wild third act flip I was not expecting, I feel like the rest of the Film lacked the energy and zest to make this bleak Political Satire really amount to much. By the time it ended, I was left feeling empty and cold (and rather annoyed by the conclusion of one specific dangling plot thread). Krcunović does her best to steer the ship, bringing an intense wave of emotions with every step she makes. Lidija Kordić is the Film’s MVP however, playing the young and impressionable Danica. Her mother was killed in the fire and she has not spoken since, which is just the tip of the tragedy that befalls her. Kordić commands the screen with her eyes saying all the words her mouth does not. It is the type of quiet, nuanced work that you will not be able to take your eyes off of.

WORKING CLASS GOES TO HELL screens at TIFF ’23:

Thursday, September 14 at 11:59 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Friday, September 15 at 8:00 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sunday, September 17 at 6:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

By Mr. Will Wong

Writer/Director Christy Hall makes a phenomenal feature debut with a brilliant pair of leads in DADDIO. Though the meter is stopped with a flat rate fare, we never quite know where we are headed as we follow a young woman (Dakota Johnson), boarding a cab at JFK Airport, only to be stuck in traffic. She’s driven by Clark (Sean Penn), a foul-mouth taxi driver who tells it like it is. The two make some playful banter back and forth as we learn about their loves and the roadblocks they have faced.

Hall does a fantastic job taking these two unlikely strangers and giving us a story about meaningful human connection. Clark is able to get to the very core of his passenger, whom while able to hold her own against him as a woman young enough to be his daughter, is pensive and we get glimpses of her world through her text message interactions with a love interest. Through Clark, the young woman is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about her own life, and she is able to unpeel some layers from Clark‘s tough exterior as surely there’s a story there behind his street smarts and wisdom. Our two leads get more than they could ever have bargained before and their lives are changed forever this one night, borrowing a bit from Sofia Coppola‘s Lost in Translation, which explores some similar themes and emotions.

DADDIO is the type of film that leaves you thinking about it days after and we are simply in love with the performances from Johnson and Penn, whom are both absolutely irresistible. Johnson always manages to leave a bit of mystery in her characters, which leaves us wanting to know more.

DADDIO screens at TIFF ’23:

Sunday, September 10
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Closed captioning
3:00 PM

Thursday, September 14
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Closed captioning
4:00 PM

Andy Lau is a recognizable name in any Chinese household and it is absolutely amazing that he’s here at TIFF ’23. What an honour! The multi-hyphenate began his career as an Actor on Hong Kong’s premiere network TVB and from that he became an international Movie Star, and one of the top kings of Chinese Pop.

Lau is here this year for THE MOVIE EMPEROR, premiering Friday night at Roy Thomson Hall. The Satire has Lau playing a middle-aged movie star trying to reclaim both the crown snd critical clout by starring in a miserablist film. He also appears Saturday at an In-Conversation at TIFF Bell Lightbox as well giving fans two chances to see him.

It was pure fandemonium as the Megastar made a rare appearance in Toronto. His fans waited at the Arrivals with signs in tow, shouting “See you tomorrow” after he greeted them in an effort to get into his SUV quickly.

Earlier, we were lucky enough to get into a screening of Christy Hall‘s impressive directorial debut, DADDIO starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson. Hall calls the Film her Love Letter to New York.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)