By Nicholas Porteous
We open on a particularly bland overhead shot as a car pulls into a driveway. It’s a reserved choice to serve as the opening for Steven Soderbergh‘s latest–but wait. The camera twists and turns and hovers down the stairs, revealing an empty house and an anxious realtor (Julia Fox–be warned: this is her only scene). There’s clearly something more to this strange, drifting perspective. Indeed, there’s a Presence in this house. A ghost. And for whatever reason, among the family of new occupants in this otherwise lovely abode, their young daughter Blue (captivating newcomer Callina Liang) shares some kind of connection with the spirit.
What follows is entirely from the ghost’s perspective, and it turns out to be a fantastic parameter for Soderbergh to play within. How does a non-speaking entity reveal its motivations? What kind of phantom are we dealing with here? And how will a family contend with the unknown force? You won’t hear another word about the plot from me, but if you’re looking for a good little ghost story, you’ve come to the right place. Presence is another small-scale, experimental gem from Soderbergh that moves at a clip and kept me intrigued–both as a narrative and as a technical act of storytelling–for its lean, 85-minute runtime.
David Koepp‘s Screenplay is occasionally guilty of tripping over the line into schlock and cheese, which plays at odds with Soderbergh’s relatively naturalistic approach. But all in all, Presence is a brilliant blend of family dramedy and supernatural suspense, anchored by a strong ensemble–featuring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan as spiritually discordant parents–that imbues the camera with a perfectly calibrated sense of fear and wonder. Presence could be considered a minor work from a master Filmmaker, but its slender format and otherworldly themes have staying power. Don’t let this one pass you by.
Presence screens at TIFF ’24:
Friday, September 13 at 6:15 PM at The Princess of Wales Theatre
Saturday, September 14 at 7:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre
Today we get a new Tease for Steven Soderbergh’s PRESENCE, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year. Cast includes Julia Fox and Lucy Liu!
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
After its premiere at TIFF ’22, Luis De Filippis’ debut feature SOMETHING YOU SAID LAST NIGHT has patiently waited in the wings for its moment. In late June, it was announced that Actress/Model Julia Fox would come aboard as Executive Producer of the Film which centers on 20-something aspiring trans Writer Ren (Carmen Madonia) and her younger sister Siena (Paige Evans), reluctantly joining their parents on a family vacation. The Drama already has swept awards on the Festival Circuit, including the Shawn Mendes Change Maker Award at TIFF.
Toronto is so incredibly lucky to have Fox in-town appearing two nights at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Friday night was a screening of the Film, moderated by Fox with De Filippis and the Film’s Principal Cast. Saturday night is an extended one-hour conversation following the Film with Fox and De Filippis.
So thrilled to catch-up with Fox after meeting her in L.A. during Awards Season for her breakout role UNCUT GEMS. The New Yorker attended a dinner with Cast, Crew and influencers at new Financial District Hotspot DAPHNE. She wore an eye-catching ensemble, sporting her daring signature style and was so sweet to stop for a couple Snaps. Adore her, and am waiting for her next power play, but this is huge that she came to town to support this important Film from Elevation Pictures. It is playing right now exclusively at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Some Snaps. What an Ensemble! Check-out the Bible Bag made from actual re-purposed bibles, by Aylah Gallardo!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures/The Image Direct)
By Amanda Gilmore
After online gambler Jack’s (Peter Vack) roommate dies, he becomes fixated on San Francisco Camgirl, Scarlet (Julia Fox). One night Jack spots Scarlet walking on an NYC Chinatown street. Is his obsession contorting his reality? Or is she lying about where she lives?
This Erotic Drama is shot with unflinching honesty on what it means to be lonely and craves connection. Writer-Director Ben Hozie has crafted an authentic look at the disconnected technology has created while reminding us of what we truly need: human contact with someone who understands us. Hozie manages to have many erotic scenes that don’t become unduly gratuitous. He achieves this by infusing those scenes with the characters’ longing for emotional connection and a growing desire for each other. The Film is anchored by two mesmerizing performances from Vack and Fox. Whether they are video chatting or in the same room, their chemistry is intoxicating.
PVT Chat screens live online at Fantasia Fest on Fri. Aug. 21 at 9:30 PM and Tue. Aug. 25 at 11 PM.
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