We’re officially into the calm of TIFF ’21 and we’re thrilled to still be alive! Yes! We admit that while this year’s Festival has been scaled back a bit, it still is equally tiring as we are putting in the same hours we normally would.

There was one major Gala tonight, for Barry Levinson‘s (Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam) latest, THE SURVIVOR. The Drama starring Ben Foster as a Boxer fighting to survive in WWII Concentration Camps, premiered at Roy Thomson Hall. Joining Foster at the Premiere and Afterparty for the Film was his wife, Actress Laura Prepon, while Co-Star Vicky Krieps also graced the Red Carpet. as did Levinson himself. The Cast arrived in style in special Volvo VC Series SUVs.

While we were busy screening amazing Films like BELFAST and THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE this morning, we made sure we got him early to celebrate our sweet beanie’s first birthday! If you’re not following her on IG already, please do: @beaniewong.

Chastain‘s performance in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE was so sympathetic and compelling! We were literally left tremoring, she was so powerful. We also loved BELFAST, a gorgeous-looking ode to family and the titular city in the ’60s as political unrest was abound. More here.

We’re also so proud that we were granted time with DUNE Director Denis Villeneuve and star Rebecca Ferguson over the weekend. We can’t wait to share Dave Baldwin‘s chat with them a little closer to the October 22, 2021 (my birthday!) release of the Film.

We will be taking a day off tomorrow and be back at our Movies Wednesday! Hope you enjoy catching-up on our coverage so far!

Our Review for eagerly-awaited SPENCER, will go live Wednesday evening after its Premiere. Don’t forget to check back.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by Amanda Gilmore

This heartbreaking animated feature tells the remarkable true story of Charlotte Salomon (voiced by Keira Knightley), a young German-Jewish artist who painted a masterpiece she titled Life? or Theatre? during World War II.

What makes Charlotte stand out is it’s a World War II story centred on the life of an individual and her artistic work. Screenwriters Erik Rutherford and David Bezmozgis follow Charlotte over the course of 10 years, from the time she was 16, experiencing the rise of Nazi Germany, to 26, when she died in Auschwitz. In doing so, they have shown one woman’s heartbreaking story that also depicts living during this time. She was refused her education, had to flee Germany and lost those she loved. Along the way, we are taken on Charlotte’s discovery of her family’s history and the impact it had on her decision to paint Life? or Theatre?.

All of this is brought to life with beautiful animation from Canadian filmmakers Eric Warin and Tahir Rana. They make the strong decision to show Charlotte’s life as an animated feature. In doing so, they are able to show her work and depict her short life in a similar art form to the one she loved. Additionally, the choice of animation results in this Film being a World War II story accessible to children. There are some scenes that skew more to adult viewing, but overall, there is a lot to learn from Charlotte for children and adults alike.

Knightley brings Charlotte’s compassion and determination in her voice work for the English version (Marion Cotillard voices the French version). They are joined by a star-studded cast consisting of Brenda Blethyn, Jim Broadbent, Sam Claflin, Henry Czerny, Eddie Marsan, Helen McCrory, Sophie Okonedo and Mark Strong.

Overall, Charlotte is a beautifully animated feature that tells the heartbreaking story of its subject. It depicts Charlotte’s talent, resilience, determination and compassion while being a study on familial mental health and living during World War II.

Charlotte screens at TIFF ’21:

Mon, Sep 13 at Princess of Wales at 6 pm

Mon, Sep 13 on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9 pm

Mon, Sep 13 for its Canadian Satellite Screening at Galaxy Cinemas Moose Jaw at 9 pm

Fri, Sep 17 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 11 am

Fri, Sep 17 on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox at 3 pm

By Mr. Will Wong

Director Michael Showalter (The Lovebirds, The Big Sick) is back with THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE, based on the 2000 Documentary of the same name. Centering on the rise and fall of Television Evangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker (Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain), the subject matter is sensational – but so are the performances!

Showalter and Screenwriter Abe Sylvia create something rather magical here and while on paper, our main subject might be misunderstood, having been so closely-tied to the fraud committed by her convict husband, what we get here actually is a sympathetic portrait of Tammy Faye Baker. We see the lack of privilege from which she is brought-up, to becoming a beloved Television Personality and Singer. She is the woman behind the successful man, and when he stops loving her, all she hopes is that he will love her back, all while living a life of ridiculous extravagance. The Film recounts her downward spiral, which includes addiction to prescription pills as she navigates life through a loveless marriage.

Chastain has gifted us with a phenomenal body of work over the years, however this stands as her finest performance. She captures so perfectly Tammy Faye Baker‘s pain and wounds, as well as her unwavering love of God so beautifully that it is impossible not to be affected by her work. She delivers a real tour-de-force in the Film’s final musical number. And seeing her take a stand for those living with AIDS truly is a visceral moment evincing her true understanding of Tammy Faye Bakker‘s essence. Chastain acts as a vessel for Baker‘s pure soul, and while the subject’s legacy may have been one of embarrassment to many, this performance makes us see exactly why it is so many people around the world were enamoured by her. We were left trembling.

Above this, Garfield truly shows his range here, giving us what it is that made Jim Bakker tick – power and money, sometimes kind and gentle, other times curt and vile. His work here is a true revelation.

Admittedly, the Film feels a bit long at times as we go back and forth on the excesses that filled the world of The Bakkers, but Showalter certainly makes it a fun ride. Without a doubt, we will be hearing a lot about this Film this coming Awards Season and expect the phenomenal Chastain to be front and center.

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE screens at TIFF ’21:

Mon, Sep 13 DIGITAL PREMIERE SCREENING digital TIFF Bell Lightbox Availability: Canada 5:00pm

Mon, Sep 13 IN-PERSON Visa Skyline Drive-In at Ontario Place 8:00pm

Sat, Sep 18 DIGITAL SECOND SCREENING digital TIFF Bell Lightbox Premium Availability: Canada 5:00pm

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Kenneth Branagh makes his most personal Film yet with the semi-autobiographical Belfast.

This deeply-affecting coming-of-age Film is set during the troubles in 1969 Belfast. It follows young Buddy (Jude Hill) as he witnesses familial hardships, cultural changes, and Northern Ireland’s Civil War. His father, Pa (Jamie Dornan), fears for his family’s life and starts making plans to move them out of Belfast. However, Buddy and his Ma (Caitríona Balfe) desire to stay in their hometown with Buddy’s grandparents (Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench).

From the beginning, Branagh shows us the uncertainty of living in late-1960s Belfast. A street filled with laughter, children and neighbourly conversation is swiftly thrown into chaos. Branagh’s camera circles Buddy, mirroring his confusion at witnessing the mob set fire and wreak havoc on his home’s street. By telling this story from a child’s point of view, the heavy themes have an innocence to them. For example, the horrific sectarian violence is shown with the gravity it deserves. However, levity comes when Buddy speaks about the two religions and makes a funny comment about why he wants to be Catholic rather than Protestant.

Branagh and Cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos make each black and white frame of Belfast breathtaking. The choice of music perfectly captures the resilience of the Northern Irish people in the face of hardship and uncertainty. Branagh’s decision to focus on one family, with each distinct member, creates an intimate and rounded view into the struggles of those who decided to leave and those who chose to stay.

The family is cast perfectly with a breakout performance from their young leader Hill. He shows Buddy’s confusion, frustration and fear at the war. Additionally, he shines as a young boy yearning for his first crush. It’s wonderful watching Hill and Hinds, who gives a delightful performance as Pop, concoct plans to get him closer to his crush. Dornan gives a charismatic performance as Pa, a man desperate to give his family safety. Balfe encapsulates Ma’s restraint to leave the only home she’s ever known while displaying worry as the war continues. And Dench gives a touching performance has the hardy matriarch, Granny.

Belfast screens at TIFF ’21:

Sun, Sep 12 at 5:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Mon, Sep 13 at 3 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Thu, Sep 16 at 12 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Today is the final day most major trade publications have their pop-ups, so it’s one last hurrah for star sightings before things quiet down significantly for the remainder of TIFF ’21. Which is wonderful for us as we can take a breath finally, and focus on seeing Films.

Causing the most commotion around town were BELFAST Director/Writer Sir Kenneth Branagh and its star Jamie Dornan, who did the rounds today. They premiered the Film at Roy Thomson Hall, receiving a standing ovation. The story is said to be deeply-personal to Branagh who grew-up in the titular city during the ’60s, and Dornan is receiving accolades for his work here. So thrilled to catch Dornan and Branagh out and about at different points in the day! Dornan was so kind to stop for a snap with beanie and I, whom I brought out with me on my travels. Her first TIFF and also tomorrow is her first birthday! What better way to celebrate than by her meeting Dornan?

So happy also to get an invite from Variety Magazine and Canada Goose to check-out their lounge, which hosted several A-Listers the past few days at the Festival including Rebecca Ferguson, Jessica Chastain, Benedict Cumberbatch and more. Today we saw Dornan and Branagh in the lounge, picking-out some new outerwear. Branagh is a huge fan of Canada Goose and we heard that he still has a parka he’s been wearing for over ten years!

Can I saw how cool it was meeting Kenny G? The legendary Saxophonist helping propel Smooth Jazz to a wider audience, was in town for Director Penny Lane’s Documentary, LISTENING TO KENNY G. The Film premiered today at Scotiabank Theatre.

And last but not least, we were so happy to see stunning Jessica Chastain as she head-off to the Premiere of highly-buzzed THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE, which has her portraying Evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. She was so smitten by beanie!

Totally dozing-off but will be up and at it early with a few screenings tomorrow including THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE and BELFAST! Can’t wait to share my thoughts!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore

Wealthy couple David (Ralph Fiennes) and Jo (Jessica Chastain) are making their way to friend Richard’s (Matt Smith) lavish weekend party deep in the Moroccan Desert. On their drive, high-functioning alcoholic David hits a young Moroccan boy with his car, killing him. They arrive at the party with the boy’s dead body unsure of what to do. Soon, David finds himself with the boy’s father, on the way to the burial. While Jo and the rest of the privileged Western guests spend the weekend continuing to party, David is forced to confront his sins.

The Forgiven is a dark British Comedy with something to say. Writer-Director John Michael McDonagh creates laughs in the bleakest moments. This mostly excels due to the outstanding performance from Fiennes who delivers lines in a hilariously dry way. The Comedy has a purpose: to make the darker themes about privilege, Neocolonialism, forgiveness and judgement easier to swallow. For example, ignorant dialogue is said by Western characters about the Moroccan people. The comedy lands and the point gets across due to the powerhouse ensemble McDonagh has assembled.

The Cast is led by Fiennes who revels in playing pompous David. While David is on his journey to the burial he’s faced the truth of his sin and the pain it inflicted on the family. Chastain is great as the unhappy Jo who gets carried away at the party and commits a sin of her own. The talented Christopher Abbott, who plays flirtatious Tom, spends most of his time trying to seduce the intelligent Jo. These scenes are wonderful to watch because of the witty rhetoric and the chemistry they share. Rounding off the Cast is Smith who delights in playing lavishly wealthy Richard and Caleb Landry Jones who gives a memorable performance as Richard’s party-enthusiast boyfriend, Dally.

The Forgiven screens at TIFF ’21:

Sat, Sep 11 at 5:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Sat, Sep 11 at 9 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Wed, Sep 15 at 7 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Wed, Sep 15 at 9 PM at RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

As much as I am a cat person, I am a greater fan of Benedict Cumberbatch and THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN had me in a cinematic nirvana state. Set in London in the late 1800s, this is real life story of an ambidextrous Artist who we first meet selling his drawings of animals at country fairs while studying the skills of boxing and dealing with an overly excitable and exuberant family at home. Louis Wain may lack social graces and friendships due to his extreme views on a number of topics, he endeavours to live in a less chaotic household and hires Emily Richardson (Claire Foy) as a governess to tutor and care for his younger sisters. Louis and Emily fall in love, marry, and move out to a country estate where they find a stray kitten. Inspired by this furry intruder, Louis Wain ultimately becomes the toast of Victorian London for his many published drawings of humanized and animated cats.

This is Cumberbatch’s most eccentric, irresistible and accomplished performance to date. Everything: from the timbre of his voice to how his body language differs to whoever he is with; even his rapid-paced, hip hoppity gait is a marvel to watch. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Claire Foy is equally magnetic to watch, even if her role is less showy. With outstanding performances from Andrea Riseborough and Toby Jones in supporting roles and a most sensual vocal narration from Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN is a must-see.

It screens:

Sat, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Visa Skyline Drive-In at Ontario Place 8:30 PM

Sat, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Roy Thomson Hall 9:30 PM

Sun, Sep 12 digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Mon, Sep 13 CANADIAN SATELLITE SCREENING Cineplex Cinemas Summerside 6:00 PM

Fri, Sep 17 digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

We’ve hit peak starpower at TIFF ’21 and even with Red Carpets and talent scaled back there’s still plenty enough to keep us busy!

The 2021 TIFF Tribute Gala took place earlier today at Roy Thomson Hall with this year’s Honourees taking the stage to accept their awards. Those in attendance included:

Jessica Chastain — TIFF Tribute Actor Award supported by the Tory Family
Benedict Cumberbatch — TIFF Tribute Actor Award
Denis Villeneuve — TIFF Ebert Director Award
Alanis Obomsawin — Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media supported by Participant Media
Ari Wegner — TIFF Variety Artisan Award
Danis Goulet — TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by L’Oréal Paris and supported by MGM
Dionne Warwick — TIFF Special Tribute Award

We caught some special moments as the stars arrived and we even saw Benedict Cumberbatch and Dionne Warwick share an embrace. R&B Legend Warwick, here for Documentary DON’T MAKE ME OVER, shared that she admittedly was a little starstruck seeing Cumberbatch, whom she admires for her work on SHERLOCK, which she was obsessed with streaming during the Pandemic! Cumberbatch is receiving tons of Oscar buzz for his work in Jane Campion‘s THE POWER OF THE DOG. Review here.

Chastain and Villeneuve, both busy with Press Days today for their respective films THE FORGIVEN and DUNE, made time to walk over to the fans, snapping Selfies and signing autographs. Chastain was stunning in a colour block Moschino outfit!

The Awards air Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 7pm ET on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app in Canada.

Some Snaps:

Several other Premieres took place across the City including MONTANA STORY which stars Owen Teague and Haley Lu Richardson, which many are commending for its heart and compassion. We spotted the stars and Co-Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel, Ubering about with the Film’s stars earlier. Review to come shortly.

One of our greatest highlights finally is a moment with Rebecca Ferguson, whom we admire so deeply. This chameleon of an Actress has won acclaim for her work on the Mission: Impossible Franchise, The White Queen and more popularly, The Greatest Showman. Oh yeah, her! Ferguson stars in DUNE, which premiered at Ontario Place‘s Cinesphere and will be busy with Villeneuve with a day of press in support of the hotly-anticipated October 22, 2021 release. Review here.

One parting note, I attended a screening of Edgar Wright‘s LAST NIGHT IN SOHO and it was incredible! My thoughts below…

How amazing Wright even threw me a “like”!

We decided to take it easy tonight, wrapping early. Tomorrow will be pretty much the last day we’ll be out snapping content with more of a focus on the Films after Monday. Who knows, I might even have a little special sidekick out with me tomorrow!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by David Baldwin

After years of anticipation and fan hype, Co-Writer/Director Denis Villeneuve’s take on DUNE has finally arrived. The tale of warring house factions and the native Fremen people over spice on the planet Arrakis is dense to say the least, but fans and novices like myself will equally find something to enjoy in this science fiction epic for the ages.

Long thought unfilmable (though there have been a few attempts to differing results), Villeneuve has taken everything he has learned as a Filmmaker over the past decade and has created something truly breathtaking. The world (or worlds in this case) are fully realized through incredible Production Design and Cinematography. The Visual Effects are spectacular, as are the Makeup Effects and Costuming. Hans Zimmer’s Score is legendary. I do not even have words to describe the sound design; it really is that great. Every single detail is precise, specific and may find you losing focus on the story just to take in everything Villeneuve has packed into the frame. This is not actors playing dress up in front of a green screen – this is next level filmmaking on a grand scale with everyone behind the scenes firing on all cylinders.

While I soaked in every single minute of Villeneuve’s take on DUNE, I found myself held back from truly adoring it because it is only half a story. People who have been following its development will not be surprised to see it called DUNE Part 1 in the opening reel, though some casual audience members may not be particularly pleased to see the Film end on a cliffhanger (nor the multiple false stopping points that make up the Film’s last half hour). I found myself increasingly annoyed by the prophetic visions lead character Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) because I knew I would need to wait until Part 2 in order to see them come to fruition. Moreover, being only half a story takes away from the magnificent performances given by the entire cast because they are not fully formed whatsoever. Zendaya is very clearly pivotal to this story, yet only hovers in the background as an enigmatic presence for the majority of the Film.

All of that may sound like a pan, but it is actually quite the opposite. I was so taken by the story of DUNE and what Villeneuve created that I really did not want to see it end. I wanted to see the next part of the story immediately and genuinely hope the film finds its audience in order to make Part 2 become a reality. Like every great artist, Villeneuve left me wanting more. So believe the hype. DUNE is everything you hoped it would be. Villeneuve is at the top of his game here and this just might be his finest hour.

DUNE screens at TIFF ’21:

Sat, Sep 11 Ontario Place Cinesphere 7:15 PM

Sun, Sep 12 Ontario Place Cinesphere 7:30 PM

Mon, Sep 13 Scotiabank 12 8:00 PM

Sat, Sep 18 Ontario Place Cinesphere 8:00 PM

Review by George Kozera

Renate Reinsve. Remember this name, as I cannot fathom the upcoming awards season without seeing her name on many lists for Best Actress, an accolade she already received at this year at Cannes.

In THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, she plays Julie a shiftless almost 30-year-old who keeps changing her college majors on a whim and even dumps her current boyfriend as she felt his being around a huge inconvenience. One night she meets Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie), a renowned Comic Book Artist who is 15 years her senior. After their first night together, Aksel tells Julie that they should no longer see each other as he can envision falling helplessly in love with her and he would be devastated if their relationship ended. Julie promises that would never happen. It was a promise that would ultimately be broken.

Acclaimed Norwegian Director, Joachim Trier, has fashioned a brilliant movie that is heartbreakingly honest, inherently-intelligent, scathingly funny. It is sexy as hell, brutally astute and tear-jerking. Renate Reinsve is a force to be reckoned with and is impossible to ignore. It is a masterful performance and I was completely gobsmacked. Anders Danielsen Lie is equally phenomenal as he navigates through the perilous waters of being in a relationship with Julie.

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD is easily one of the best movies of 2021.

It screens:

Sat, Sep 11 DIGITAL PREMIERE SCREENING digital TIFF Bell Lightbox 5 PM

Wed, Sep 15DIGITAL SECOND SCREENINGdigital TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 PM

Fri, Sep 17IN-PERSONRoy Thomson Hall 5:30 PM