#TIFF18: “THE FIREFLIES ARE GONE” REVIEW

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Léo (2015 TIFF Rising Star Karelle Tremblay) is an angst-ridden teenager reaching the final end of high school in her small, industrial Quebec town. She dreams of life outside of the sleepy town that doesn’t self-fulfill her, however, often surprises her. The Fireflies Are Gone will be having its North American Premiere at TIFF in the Contemporary World Cinema Programme.

Like previous Films directed and written by Sébastien Pilote, The Fireflies Are Gone depicts the struggles people living in changing rural Quebec towns are facing. What sets this one apart from his previous works is the magnetic performance from Karelle Tremblay, who plays Léo with equal amounts malaise and curiosity.

The Fireflies Are Gone screens at TIFF  Tuesday, September 11 at 6:30 PM at Scotiabank 13 and Wednesday, September 12 at 4:15 PM at Scotiabank 4.