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

By Mr. Will Wong

Writer/Director Michel Franco (Sundown) returns to TIFF with his latest effort, MEMORY, a beautiful story about two broken souls who come together under unlikely circumstances.

Silvia (Jessica Chastain) is working on staying sober, raising her teenage daughter and her dayjob at an adult daycare. After joining her sister (Merritt Wever) at a high school reunion, she sees Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) who inexplicably decides to follow her home. But there’s definitely more than meets the eye and feeling bad for him after he is found sleeping on the street outside her home, she is drawn to taking care of him. At once, she must navigate the resurfacing of her mother (Jessica Harper) from whom she is estranged. Silvia and Saul both realize that they actually have a lot more in common than realized, but at once this also could jeopardize their looming bond with one another.

We’ve been craving stories about human connection, especially after the past few years and the ever-changing way in which humans interact from a distance. Franco gets to the core of his two leads and the more we learn about them, the more heartbroken we are for them. The Film is filled with heartfelt compassion, exploring the deep and crippling impact that unresolved trauma can have. MEMORY doesn’t quite go the way we think it is at the start, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sarsgaard is devastatingly good, capturing Saul’s essence as he navigates his early-onset Dementia, vulnerable and confused, yet at times sharp as a knife. He gives us his all and having lived with a parent who had Dementia I can say the condition is captured truthfully. Chastain always delivers and she shines, especially late when she is forced to confront her mother.

MEMORY screens at TIFF ’23:

Tuesday, September 12
Royal Alexandra Theatre
Premium
5:30 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)

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Alexander Payne is in top form with the delightful Dramedy The Holdovers.

The Film takes place in 1970 over Christmas break at an elite boarding school in small-town Massachusetts. It follows strict Professor Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) who’s gifted the undesirable assignment of supervising the students unable to return home for the Christmas holidays. Resolved to have the students suffer along with him, he makes them start the next semester’s assignments. However, when only one student remains, the intelligent but belligerent Angus (Dominic Sessa), the two begin to see themselves in each other.

The Holdovers is an intimate, touching portrait of broken, lonely people connecting. Realizing they’re not alone. This is told through three central characters, Hunham, Angus and school cafeteria manager Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). Each of them outcasts and harbouring their own unique melancholy within. Screenwriter David Hemingson and Payne keep the cause of some of their pain a mystery until the end, except for Mary.

She’s just lost her only son in the war. Randolph gives a heartbreaking performance as a mother experiencing her first Christmas without her son.  Randolph’s impeccable comedic talent earnestly shines through creating authentic levity woven within the pain. It’s a successful dramatic turn that will have people knocking on her door.

Meanwhile, Hunham and Angus’s reason for despair remains hidden behind their quick wit and short tempers. Giamatti gave one of the finest performances of his career. He plays Hunham as eccentric yet stern, cruel yet empathetic. Similar to Hunham, Angus has a chip on his shoulder. In his first-ever feature role, Sessa stuns. It’s a performance of a seasoned Actor. He portrays the anguish Angus carries and his desire to be understood.

Overall, The Holdovers is a moving exploration of loneliness over the holiday season with captivating performances and a winning Soundtrack.

The Holdovers screens at TIFF ’23:

Monday, September 11 at 3 PM at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Tuesday, September 12 at 12 PM at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Saturday, September 16 at 6 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Sunday, September 17 at 9 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

…

This holiday season, get ready for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored family reunion like no other as Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return for the new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise: Trolls Band Together. 

After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd (Golden Globe nominated electropop sensation Troye Sivan), John Dory (Eric André; Sing 2), Spruce (Grammy winner Daveed Diggs; Hamilton) and Clay (Grammy winner Kid Cudi; Don’t Look Up). BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since.  

But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains—Velvet (Emmy winner Amy Schumer; Trainwreck) and Veneer (Grammy winner and Tony nominee Andrew Rannells; The Book of Mormon)—Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity. 

Featuring Trolls’ signature psychedelic joy-bomb of new and classic pop hits, Trolls Band Together stars a dazzling cast of musical superstars and comedic powerhouses as new franchise characters, including four-time Grammy nominee and Latin Grammy winner Camila Cabello (Cinderella) as Viva; Zosia Mamet (The Flight Attendant) as Crimp; and 12-time Emmy winning drag icon RuPaul Charles as Miss Maxine. 

The returning cast includes Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Zooey Deschanel as Bridget; Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Gristle, the Icona Pop duo Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt as Satin and Chenille, Grammy winner Anderson .Paak as Prince D, comedian Ron Funches as Cooper, SAG nominee Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond and Emmy winning Saturday Night Live legend Kenan Thompson as Tiny Diamond. 

Trolls Band Together is steered by returning director Walt Dohrn and producer Gina Shay, and is co-directed by Tim Heitz (head of story, Trolls World Tour). DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls films—2016’s Trolls and 2020’s Trolls World Tour—have sung and danced their way to record-breaking success, earning an Oscar^® nomination for Best Original Song and fuelingone of the largest and most beloved entertainment brands in the world.

Genre: Animated Action-Comedy

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Camila Cabello, Eric André, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells, Troye Sivan, Daveed Diggs, Kid Cudi, Zosia Mamet, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, RuPaul Charles, Aino Jawo, Caroline Hjelt, Kenan Thompson, Anderson .Paak, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches

Director: Walt Dohrn

Co-Director: Tim Heitz

Producer: Gina Shay

By Amanda Gilmore

Ava DuVernay’s poetic and essential Origin is one of the year’s best. The esteemed Director merges Isabel Wilkerson’s life along with her research to create an inspired adaptation of the Author’s New York Times Bestseller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. 

DuVernay’s focus on Wilkerson’s private life, specifically her losses and grief the years before she began her research, makes Origin part biopic part historical chronicle. In chronicling her life, the audience has a linear storyline to follow while travelling back and forth in time to witness the atrocities that happened.

We open on the last night of Trayvon Martin’s life. It was that horrific night’s 911 calls that initiated Wilkerson’s research. From there we witness the loss of her husband and mother within a year. As she heals, she throws herself into her research. Travelling to Germany and India in search of connections between caste systems there and America.

With each stop Wilkerson makes she learns the connection between each country both presently and historically. DuVernay’s powerful, unsettling images capture the horrors the caste system creates. She delivers distressing moments of the Holocaust, the inhumanity inflicted on the Dalits in India and lynchings in America. These impactful images will haunt audiences long after viewing and visualising the research Wilkerson wrote about in her novel.

Overall, Origin is a captivatingly beautiful and heartbreakingly necessary film that holds one of the year’s most enrapturing performances from Aunjanue Ellis.

Origin screens at TIFF ’23:

Monday, September 11 at 2 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Wednesday, September 13 at 2:30 PM at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer of the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) today announced the ten films nominated for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film. The prize carries a cash value of $25,000 and is awarded to the director of the chosen film. All ten nominees will screen at WIFF this fall, which runs from October 26 to November 5, 2023 in Windsor, Ontario.

The nominees were announced earlier today at the WIFF at TIFF Luncheon in Toronto and the prize will be awarded during the festival on Sunday, October 29. The winner will be selected by an independent jury of industry professionals.

This year’s ten nominees for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film are:

BLACKBERRY, directed by Matt Johnson

THE DISHWASHER, directed by Francis Leclerc

FRONTIERS, directed by Guy Édoin

HUMANIST VAMPIRE SEEKING CONSENTING SUICIDAL PERSON, directed by Ariane Louis-Seize

IRENA’S VOW, directed by Louise Archambault

MY MOTHER’S MEN, directed by Anik Jean

THE NATURE OF LOVE, directed by Monia Chokri

ONE SUMMER, directed by Louise Archambault

SEVEN VEILS, directed by Atom Egoyan

SOLO, directed by Sophie Dupuis

“This year’s nominated films are the culmination of artistic visions and storytelling prowess of this country’s remarkable talent,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer, WIFF.​ “Each film is a unique chapter in the evolution of Canadian cinema. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements with the WIFF Prize at this year’s festival.”

In 2022, the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film was awarded to RICEBOY SLEEPS directed by Anthony Shim.

WIFF is a cultural, charitable organization that celebrates the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international film and filmmakers. Delivering exceptional experiences through film, WIFF strengthens and enriches the community while promoting the creative economy. windsorfilmfestival.com.

Today we get a brand-new Trailer for THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR, the latest from Wes Anderson. Arriving September 27, 2023 on Netflix.

Director: Wes Anderson
Writer: Wes Anderson
Producers: Wes Anderson, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
Co-Producers: Octavia Peissel, John Peet, Alice Dawson
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade
Runtime: 39 mins
Logline: A beloved Roald Dahl short story about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)