By George Kozera

Winner of the Palme d’Or this year at the Cannes Film Festival, Co-Writer and Director. Justine Triet‘s, ANATOMY OF A FALL makes its Canadian Premiere at TIFF and this auspicious movie deserves a plethora of critical and awards laden attention. Sandra Hüller plays Sandra, a successful German Novelist on trial for the murder of her husband Samuel (Samuel Theis). Living in a chalet not far from Grenoble with her husband and their visually impaired 11-year- old son Daniel (Mio Machado Graner), the Movie opens with Sandra being interviewed by a graduate student when an instrumental version of 50 Cent‘s PIMP begins to loudly blast from the husband’s office in attic. Unable to continue the interview, the graduate student leaves followed by Daniel taking the dog for a walk. When he returns he finds his father dead on the ground, lying in a pool of blood. Did Samuel fall..did he jump…was he pushed by Susan? When the autopsy is incondusive, Sandra is arrested and along with an old friend of hers who happens to be a lawyer, Vincent (Swann Artaud), it is decided to go the suicide route as their legal defense.

ANATOMY OF A FALL is the fourth legal drama I’ve seen from France in eight months and the country’s courtroom proceedings fascinate me to no ends. Prosecutors and defense lawyers seem to be less concerned with justice than they are with winning and think nothing of regaling the jurors with conjectures, outlandish theories, distortions of facts and, in this movie, blatant homophobia. The prosecutor (expertly played by Antione Reinartz) is the most hissable villain I have seen on screen in recent history. Triet directs the court sequences with Hitchcockian assurance, but her masterpiece moment occurs when the court hears (and the audience sees) a 15-minute recording, taped in secret by Samuel, of him and Sandra in an intense argument that literally had me palpitating. It is up there with one of the most powerful moments I’d ever seen captured on celluloid.

I am uncertain if France will choose ANATOMY OF A FALL as its submission for Oscar consideration for 2023; there may be just too much English spoken in this Movie. But let’s start a hype campaign and have Sandra Hüller‘s name on the Best Actress list of nominees. Whereas the Actress may currently be best known for her role in “Toni Erdmann“, her performance here is superb. Sublime. Astonishing. As are Mio Machado Graner and Snoop the dog.

ANATOMY OF A FALL SCREENS at TIFF ’23:

Thursday Sept.7-Royal Alexandra Theatre-5pm

Friday Sept.8-Scotiabank -4pm

In this exclusive new video, go behind the scenes for a sneak peek at TIFF ’23 selectiin All the Light We Cannot See, a groundbreaking new limited series premiering on November 2, 2023.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Anthony Doerr and starring Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, Dark breakout Louis Hoffman, and newcomer Aria Mia Loberti, the series is directed and executive produced by Shawn Levy, written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), and will have its world premiere at TIFF this coming Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Watch never-before-seen interviews with the cast and the creative team of All the Light We Cannot See discussing adapting the award-winning novel, casting the character of Marie Laure authentically and equitably with an actress who is blind, and hear from Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie on working with Aria Mia Loberti in her first ever acting role.

Ahead of #StarTrekDay on September 8, Pluto TV is expanding its ever-growing content library with a brand-new channel dedicated to the iconic Star Trek series, streaming now in Canada. The Star Trek channel revisits the mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise with two classic series from one of Sci-Fi’s most beloved franchises, including all three seasons of the original series Star Trek and all seven seasons Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek kickstarted the cultural phenomenon nearly 60 years ago with a vision that has remained innovative and iconoclastic to this day.

Under the command of Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner), the series depicts the adventures of the crew of the Starship Enterprise and its five-year mission “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” Airing for three seasons from 1966 to 1969 and delivering episodes that stand the test of time, the original series Star Trek stars William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, and Walter Koenig.

The most watched show in the franchise, Star Trek: The Next Generation, is the second live-action series of the Star Trek universe, featuring over seven intergalactic seasons, which aired from September 1987 to May 1994. Set in the 24th century, nearly 100 years after James Kirk, a new crew of intrepid explorers takes the helm, this time on the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. With its continuing mission of boundary-pushing exploration, it featured a new cast of characters starring Sir Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Brent Spiner.

In addition to the new Star Trek channel, Pluto TV celebrates Star Trek Day on September 8 with a marathon of programming on the Pluto TV Documentaries channel. Travel the country with former Star Trek: The Next Generation actress Denise Crosby and get to know the Universes’ most fervent fans in Trekkies; join host William Shatner, the original Enterprise captain, James T. Kirk., as he takes viewers inside the creation of Star Trek: The Next Generation in Chaos on The Bridge; and get up close and personal with actors who have portrayed the role of Enterprise Captain in the feature, The Captains, followed by the five-part series The Captains: Close Up focusing in on William Shatner, Sir Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, and Scott Bakula.

“Star Trek has stood the test of time for nearly six decades as one of the most popular television franchises in history. We’re thrilled to offer the all-new dedicated Star Trek channel on Pluto TV, bringing the first two live-action series to Canada’s legions of fans,”said Katrina Kowalski, Vice President of Content, Pluto TV and Paramount+ in Canada.

As announced in July, Paramount+ is Canada’s streaming home of the iconic Star Trek catalogue featuring over 800 episodes of binge-worthy episodes and 12 feature films. Star Trek on Paramount+ includes but is not limited to one of Canada’s most streamed series* Star Trek: Strange New Worlds all seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. In addition, the service is currently home to all the Star Trek feature films, including Star Trek: The Director’s Cut.

Pluto TV is available for free, with no registration or subscription required. Canadian users can watch Pluto TV via web at www.pluto.tv, via the Pluto TV app for Apple, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, Samsung, LG, Tizen, Hisense, and Xbox devices, and via mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play. Visit Pluto TV Canada on Instagram @plutotvca to get started on your free streaming journey.

The trailer for 20th Century Studios’ “Quiz Lady,” a hilarious and heartfelt comedy starring Awkwafina and Canada’s own Sandra Oh about a dysfunctional family and the game show which just might be the key to their salvation, is now available. “Quiz Lady” will premiere November 3, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ in Canada. 

The original film will premiere at the 48^th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, on Saturday, September 9.

In “Quiz Lady,” a brilliant but tightly wound, gameshow-obsessed young woman, Anne (Awkwafina), and her estranged, train-wreck of a sister Jenny (Sandra Oh), must work together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts. When Anne’s beloved dog is kidnapped, they set out on a wild, cross-country trek to get the cash the only way they know how: by turning Anne into a bona-fide gameshow champion. The movie, which also stars Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor, Tony Hale, and Will Ferrell, is directed by Jessica Yu, written by Jen D’Angelo, and produced by Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, Maggie Haskins, Itay Reiss, Jen D’Angelo, Awkwafina, and Sandra Oh, with Alex Brown and Erika Hampson serving as executive producers.

Today we get a new official Trailer from NYAD, premiering at TIFF ’23!

ABOUT NYAD

DIRECTORS: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
WRITER: Julia Cox
BASED ON: The Book “Find A Way” by Diana Nyad
PRODUCERS: Andrew Lazar, Teddy Schwarzman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, Michael Heimler, Vanessa Humphrey, Julia Cox, D. Scott Lumpkin
KEY CAST: Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans, Ethan Jones Romero, Luke Cosgrove, Jeena Yi, Eric T. Miller

RELEASE DATE | In Select Theaters October 20 | On Netflix November 3

SYNOPSIS | A remarkable true story of tenacity, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit, NYAD recounts a riveting chapter in the life of world-class athlete Diana Nyad. Three decades after giving up marathon swimming in exchange for a prominent career as a sports journalist, at the age of 60, Diana (four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening) becomes obsessed with completing an epic swim that always eluded her: the 110 mile trek from Cuba to Florida, often referred to as the “Mount Everest” of swims. Determined to become the first person to finish the swim without a shark cage, Diana goes on a thrilling, four-year journey with her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster) and a dedicated sailing team.

The inspirational and thrilling film marks the narrative directorial debut of Academy Award-winning documentary filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo, The Rescue). NYAD is produced by Andrew Lazar, p.g.a. and Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a. with a screenplay by Julia Cox, adapted from the memoir “Find a Way” by Diana Nyad.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

We approach the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival with managed expectations and full-on expect things a little lower key this year. But how exciting is it to capture some of the first sightings already around town?

Seen in-town tonight already are Oscar-nominated Actor Viggo Mortensen who tries writing and directing a second time in his feature THE DEAD DON’T HURT, premiering Friday at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The Feminist Western also stars TIFF Tribute Gala honouree Vicky Krieps. He also speaks at an In-Conversation next Monday at CBC.

While we’re on the topic of excellence, Oscar-winning Filmmaker Barry Jenkins was seen arriving as well. You remember him as the Director of Best Picture-winning MOONLIGHT and he’s set to direct MUFASA, a Lion King Prequel. In additon to being a Platform Programme Juror, he will be here supporting his partner Lulu Wang as she premieres series EXPATS at TIFF ’23 as well! She wasn’t with him, but we can’t wait to see her too. Obsessed with THE FAREWELL and have been waiting since!

We’ve only just begun. Don’t forget to check back daily for sightings!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Joanna Arnow’s feature debut follows thirty-something Ann (played by Arnow) in a series of vignettes. Over the course of these vignettes, we watch her idle in her meaningless corporate job, dabbling in different BDSM relationships while stagnating in a long-term submissive sexual relationship with an older man, Allen (Scott Cohen).

Arnow has crafted an acerbic Dark Comedy about being a millennial. Right from the start it’s clear that no one listens — or even thinks — of Ann. Not even her decade-long casual BDSM partner Allen can remember what college she attended. And her employer gives her an award for making it a year at the company…but she’s worked there for over three years. Ann responds to these moments with a fed-up ambivalence that comes across as someone who can’t be bothered to fight something that’s happened a million times before.

Arnow gives an alluring performance as Ann. Her often deadpan delivery leaves immense mystery. At times Ann seems to be content with her life at others it feels like she’s internally screaming for something more. This becomes more apparent when she meets Chris (Babak Tafti) who gives her the chance at a more mutually engaged relationship. Arnow plays Ann with an uneasiness about the change in her mundane life. A life that’s full of others making decisions for her.

The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed is an audacious first feature that cements Arnow not only a new voice behind the camera but a force in front of it.

The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed screens at TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 9 at 6 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sunday, September 10 at 9:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sámi voices are being given a significant elevation at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, with acclaimed documentarians Suvi West and Anssi Kömi’s quietly powerful indigenous repatriation non-fiction feature Homecoming (Máhccan) leading a trio of Sámi films at the festival for the first time ever.

Homecoming (Máhccan), premiering as part of the prestigious TIFF docs section, joins fiction features Sara Margrethe Oskal’s The Tundra Within Me from Norway and Katja Gauriloff’s Je’vida from Finland.

For Sámi director Suvi West, who co-directed Homecoming (Máhccan) with partner Anssi Kömi, she sees the significance in such representation on screen at the festival, not just for the Sámi people, but female voices.

Homecoming (Máhccan) shares a personal story about the return of Sámi artifacts, long held in museums, to their homeland. Its World premiere screening is slated for Friday, September 8th at 4:15 p.m. EST at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre. A 2nd screening will be held on Saturday, September 9th, at 9:15 p.m. at Scotiabank.

Synopsis

The film is set in the museum world at a turning point, where the national museums have to deal with their colonialistic history. The National Museum of Finland returned thousands of everyday objects taken from the indigenous Sámi people back to them.

Filmmaker Suvi West (Along with co-director Anssi Kömi) takes the audience behind the scenes of the museum world, revealing a visual, philosophical, and spiritual realm. She seeks a connection with ancestors through old museum objects, eventually arriving at the collective pain points of the Sámi people. How can the damage caused by outsiders be repaired so that collective pains can be left behind?

Homecoming (Máhccan) is a Finnish/Norwegian co-production produced by Janne Niskala of Vaski Filmi (Finland) in association with Mette Cheng Munthe-Kaas and Johanna Dorothea Raita of Ten Thousand Images (Norway).

Screening Times:

Public 09/08/2023 4:15PM Scotiabank 11

Press & Industry 09/09/2023 3:05 p.m. Scotiabank 8

Public 09/09/2023 9:15PM Scotiabank 13

Press & Industry 09/13/2023 9:10 a.m. Scotiabank 5

The Trans Film Mentorship (TFM) is delighted to present the 2nd annual Trans Filmmakers Summit x TIFF, which will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Malaparte at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Open to all trans and non-binary creators, filmmakers, actors, industry partners and allies, Trans Filmmakers Summit x TIFF is an afternoon to foster industry exchanges and dialogue and to reimagine trans storytelling as an opportunity to nurture emerging trans talent in the film and TV industry. The Trans Filmmakers Summit (TFS) will also spotlight the films at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) made by trans and non-binary directors and/or featuring trans and non-binary talent.

The Trans Film Mentorship is pleased to present the CMF Trans Barrier Breaker Award to Bilal Baig, star and co-creator of Sort Of, the CBC/Max Original Peabody Award-winning series. The award honors a trans leader who is actively challenging the limitations of the media industry and disrupting the system, paving the way for more and better trans representation and storytelling. The Barrier Breaker Award is sponsored by the Canada Media Fund and will be presented by Fab Filippo at the TFS.

Drawing from the roots of queer and trans community gatherings, TFS producers have created an energetic event that is celebratory, inspiring and accessible to all. Inspired by the format of a late-night talk show, the TFS will be co-hosted by TFM co-founders Luis De Filippis and Gabrielle Zilkha, host of the Toronto live show ‘A Late Night GAB with Friends.’ Director Jen Markowitz and film participant Isaiah Hurlbut of the Official TIFF ‘23 Documentary SUMMER QAMP, will be the special guests. SUMMER QAMP follows a group of LGBTQ+ youth at an idyllic lakeside camp in Alberta, Canada. The campers enjoy the traditional summer camp experience in a safe, affirming environment where they deepen their connections with their community and themselves.

Polaris Music Prize nominee Vivek Shraya will perform as the musical guest. The multi-disciplinary trans artist is a Canadian Screen Award winner, best-selling author of I’m Afraid of Men, founder of publishing imprint VS Books, which supports emerging BIPOC writers, and creator of the upcoming CBC Gem series, How to Fail as a Popstar.

TFS is produced by the Trans Film Mentorship and Adani Pictures, and has received support from the Canada Media Fund (CMF), Toronto International Film Festival, CBC Films, Elevation Pictures, Inside Out Film Festival, Sphere Media, City of Toronto, NABET 700, Ontario Creates, Film Finances, and the National Screen Institute.

“After our inaugural year, we’re back for another edition of the Trans Film Summit. We’re so excited to return to the TIFF rooftop and serve laughter, joy, and connection. Last year the Barrier Breaker Award was presented to the luminous TS Madison, this year we have the honour to present the CMF Trans Barrier Breaker Award to Bilal Baig for their groundbreaking work on their award-winning series Sort Of,” commented Luis De Filippis, the co-founder of the Trans Film Mentorship.

“We are excited to put on an interactive and engaging show that centers the trans and non-binary community. The Trans Filmmakers Summit is a space to honour trans and non-binary talent in the industry, and we are thrilled to be working with the Trans Film Mentorship on this important initiative,” added Jessica Adams and Rua Wani from Adani Pictures, producers of the TFS.

Premiering at TIFF ’23, today we get a new Teaser Trailer for PAIN HUSTLERS starring Emily Blunt and Chris Evans!

SYNOPSIS:

Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices. Pain Hustlers is a sharp and revealing look at what some people do out of desperation and others do out of greed. The film is directed by BAFTA award winner David Yates, produced by Lawrence Grey, and also starring Catherine O’Hara, Jay Duplass and Brian d’Arcy James.

DIRECTOR: David Yates
SCREENPLAY BY: Wells Tower
BASED ON THE BOOK BY: Evan Hughes
PRODUCERS: Lawrence Grey, David Yates
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Emily Blunt, Mark Moran, Yvonne Walcott-Yates, Lewis Taylor, Ben Everard
CAST: Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James, Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor and Andy Garcia

In select theatres October 20, 2023
On Netflix October 27, 2023