Loving
#EDITORSNOTE: TEAM MR. WILL NAME THEIR TOP TENS OF 2016
What I love most about working with Team Mr. Will is that we really are connected on a deep level as true lovers of Film. We all at some point were that passionate fan who queued hours in rush lines at Festivals or fought valiantly to win a contest to an Advance Screening. Despite our eclectic tastes, we work with open minds and are a judgment-free zone. We read each other’s reviews, learn and grow from one another. Although it sometimes is a great challenge splitting titles among our team, it always is love and somehow always works out in the end. We’re Filmgoers just like you with lives, jobs and school, but no matter what there always is time for our greatest passion, Film.
Whether it be Jon Godfrey‘s artistic and aesthetic sensibility, David Baldwin‘s great attunement to detail, George Kozera‘s energy and wit, Justin Waldman‘s infectious passion for Sci-Fi and Animation, SiobhĂĄn Rich‘s vast knowledge and versatility or Amanda Gilmore‘s fresh on-the-pulse perspective, we all have a unique voice that comes together in harmony as a rich, complex chord.
 See our Team’s Ten Best-Of 2016 Lists.
Which speak loudest to you? Which inspire you to expand your cinematic horizons?
Mr. Will
SIOBHĂN RICH (@Typo_Eh)
This has been such a great year for Film I would have preferred to submit a Top Twenty list. My alphabetical Top Ten leaves off the fantastic Animated Movie The Red Turtle, Mark Duplassâ touching Black and White Film Blue Jay, the brilliant Documentary Tower, and great Oscar hopefuls like Nocturnal Animals, Twentieth Century Women and A Monster Calls. So, if those got left off my list imagine how great these ten Movies are!
Angry Indian Goddesses
Cameraperson
Everybody Wants Some!!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
Loving
Moonlight
Paterson
Toni Erdmann
The Womenâs Balcony
JON GODFREY (@Skot_Somers)
Instead of explaining each Film, Iâll explain my method for making this list. Iâve been doing this for many years now, and Iâve grown honest enough with myself to know that what I like may not be for everyone. Be that as it may, in the last twelve months these are the Films that left the greatest impression on me. These are the Films I enjoyed on the big screen, or at home on TV. These are the Films I lost myself in, or enjoyed with the people I love. These are the Films that made me feel like a kid again, or helped me grow as a man. For me, these have been the Ten Best Films of 2016.
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
3. Loving
4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
5. Eight Days a Week
6. Shin Godzilla
7. Moonlight
8. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
9. Knight of Cups
10. Warcraft
DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)
When I look back at 2016, it is hard to believe how wild and chaotic a year it has been. While there were dozens of genuinely terrific Films, there were an immense amount of disappointments. I may be getting increasingly harder to please at the Movies, but the Top Ten Films for me this year challenged my expectations and each had a profound affect that have lasted long after the credits finished rolling.
1. Swiss Army Man
2. Nocturnal Animals
3. Arrival
4. La La Land
5. O.J.: Made in America
6. Zootopia
7. Hell or High Water
8. The Nice Guys
9. Moana
10. The Edge of Seventeen
JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
This Top Ten list is in no particular order, but also self-explanatory. You have everything from must see blockbusters to small little things from brilliant Directors like Charlie Kaufman. While there may be some gigantic titles like that small space Indie about a galaxy far far away that everyone and their pets are seeing, but the small indies and the underrated Comedies must make my Top Ten list. 2016 was incredible, and these ten Movies are some of the best of the best.
Anomalisa
Bad Moms
The Edge of Seventeen
Deadpool
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
La La Land
Loving
Moana
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)
The Top Ten Movies I have chosen for 2016 are varied from one another. There is a Film for everyone on this list. My list includes the most important Films from multiple genres and storylines.
1. La La Land
2. Moonlight
3. Arrival
4. Manchester By The Sea
5. Nocturnal Animals
6. 10 Cloverfield Lane
7. Zootopia
8. Jackie
9. Elle
10. Don’t Breathe
GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)
2016 may not have been a banner year for Movies for me personally, but since seeing it at TIFF ’16, I am still obsessed with Director Damien Chazelleâs musical masterpiece, followed closely by the most compelling Documentary I have seen since Hoop Dreams. Indie features, outstanding performances by female veterans (Meryl Streep and Sally Field), and an exciting new voice in Canadian Cinema rocked my world in 2016.
1. La La Land
2. OJ: Made in America
3. Closet Monster
4. Moonlight
5. Manchester by the Sea
6. Love and Friendship
7. Deadpool
8. Captain Fantastic
9. Florence Foster Jenkins
10. Hello, My Name is Doris
The Team Mr. Will 2016 Holiday Selfie
(L to R: Jon, Amanda, Dave, SiobhĂĄn + Justin)
…and of course we can’t forget George + our official Team Mascot, “Princess” (@APicByMrWill)
Mr. Will‘s own 2016 Best-Ofs? Click here for those!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/eOne Films/Elevation Pictures/Fox Searchlight/Universal Pictures/The Orchard/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada/ESPN Films)
#TIFF16: DAY 2 SIGHTINGS – LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ANNE HATHAWAY, DOUGLAS BOOTH, CHADWICK BOSEMAN, DAVID OYELOWO, SANDRA OH, ANNE HECHE, BEL POWLEY, MELANIE LYNSKEY, VANESSA BAYER, SHAILENE WOODLEY, MELISSA LEO, BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD, VALORIE CURRY + MORE
It was a  massively star-studded second day in Toronto and Team Mr. Will had a bit better luck after a bit of a slow start to TIFF ‘ 16!  Newly-minted Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio had King Street shut down as he walked the Red Carpet with grace for Global Warming Documentary BEFORE THE FLOOD, signing a whole lot of autographs for Fans who queued hours to see him in a rare visit to the City!  Later on in the day, Joseph Gordon-Levitt faced the Media and Fans at the Premiere for his Award Season vehicle, SNOWDEN at Roy Thomson Hall. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway brought a sizable crowd to Ryerson Theatre to see her latest effort, COLOSSAL at its World Premiere. While immersed in controversy of late, THE BIRTH OF NATION, starring, written and directed by Nate Parker got two Premieres tonight around town and its run at TIFF ’16 just might be the publicity it needs to get itself back on the right path.
Leonardo DiCaprio, BEFORE THE FLOOD
More #LeonardoDiCaprio. #BeforetheFlood #TIFF16
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Anne Hathaway, COLOSSAL
Anne. #TIFF16 #COLOSSAL #AnneHathaway
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Douglas Booth, THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM
Bel Powley, CARRIE PILBY
ÂBreakout star #BelPowley, star of #CarriePilby. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Melanie Lynskey + Jason Ritter, CARRIE PILBY
Vanessa Bayer, CARRIE PILBY
Â#SNL’s #VanessaBayer at #TIFF16 with #CarriePilby.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
David Oyelowo, A UNITED KINGDOM + QUEEN OF KATWE
Sandra Oh, CATFIGHT + WINDOW HORSES
Â#SandraOh at #TIFF16 with #Catfight and #WindowHorses.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Anne Heche, CATFIGHT
Sam Underwood + Valorie Curry – Curry is here for both BLAIR WITCH + AMERICAN PASTORAL
ÂWith #SamUnderwood + #ValorieCurry. #TIFF16 #TheFollowing #AmericanPastoral
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Chadwick Boseman, MESSAGE FROM THE KING
Nolan Funk – here to enjoy TIFF
Melissa Leo, SNOWDEN
Ruth Negga, LOVING
ÂA photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Bryce Dallas Howard, BLACK MIRROR
Shailene Woodley, SNOWDEN
Â#ShaileneWoodley makes a quiet entrance in a stunning gown. She is at #TIFF16 with #Snowden.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF16: TEAM MR. WILL MAKE THEIR TOP 2016 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PICKS
It’s our favourite time of the year and the team at MR. WILL WONG are excited to share with you their insights as to what you should be seeing at TIFF ’16! Â It’s impossible to believe we’re literally two days away from the world’s greatest Film Festival!
Mr. Will (@mrwillw)
La La Land
Elle
Personal Shopper
Loving
Denial
The electric buzz coming out of Venice for LA LA LAND is certainly warranted and we cannot wait for you to discover the genius that is Damien Chazelle‘s dazzling sophomore effort. We also were mesmerized by Isabelle Huppert‘s work in Paul Verhoeven‘s dark and twisty ELLE.  Kristen Stewart mesmerized us in PERSONAL SHOPPER in what is a career-best performance. We haven’t yet seen LOVING, but believe the buzz and can’t wait to be floored by Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton‘s performances.  We also cannot deny we were moved by Rachel Weisz‘s phenomenal work in DENIAL and although people aren’t talking about it as much as some of the other marquee titles, do not let this one slip off your radar. Honourable mention also to UNA starring Ben Mendelsohn and Rooney Mara (we adore her!) which also is getting quite a bit of buzz and acclaim out of Telluride. We will let you know as soon as we see it!
Let’s see what the rest of the Team have to say…
SiobhĂĄn Rich (@Typo_Eh)
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
La La Land
Nelly
Paterson
Toni Erdmann
If youâre only going to see five Movies at TIFF this year you should try and make them well rounded choices. Toni Erdmann is a brilliant Foreign Film that will leave you smiling long after you leave the theatre. Jim Jarmuschâs Paterson is a beautiful character study starring Adam Driver. No Film curation would be complete with a Documentary and you canât go wrong with Director Steve James. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail is an interesting David & Goliath story centering around the 2008 financial crisis. Checking off both the Vanguard and all important Canadian boxes is Anne Ămondâs Biopic Nelly, which explores the life a writer from QuĂ©bec. Finally, for a fun pick that will leave all your friends envious: La La Land. This hugely buzzed-about Musical staring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is an early favourite for Peopleâs Choice winner. My bonus pick is Jeff Nicholsâ Loving about a couple in Virginia who fought to overturn the Stateâs ban on interracial marriage.
Have a great TIFF ’16!
David Baldwin (@DaveMABaldwin)
La La Land
I absolutely adored and championed Damien Chazelleâs Oscar-winning Whiplash after seeing it during TIFF ’14. I was immediately on board for anything he had in store for his follow-up. I was excited after hearing it was a Musical, but became infinitely more excited when I found out it would team-up Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone again. No matter what happened, this was the only ticket I absolutely NEEDED at this yearâs Festival.
The Birth of a Nation
Nate Parkerâs directorial debut about a slave uprising in the 1830s was the toast of this yearâs Sundance Film Festival. It was destined for Oscar glory at that time, but now it is being talked about for a whole other despicable reason. It was on my radar from before, but the controversy that is plaguing its release is just making me more interested in watching it. TIFF promises extended talks after the Film for its first two screenings, but are they going to happen?
Headshot
I look back at some years going to TIFF and immediately regret missing out on some great Films. Skipping-out on The Raid back in 2011 was a terrible mistake, and one I made sure I did not repeat when I heard Indonesian action star Iko Uwais was returning to Midnight Madness with his new Film Headshot. I did not even stop to read what the Film was about and still have very little clue. I just know that watching it at Midnight is going to be a blast.
Nocturnal Animals
Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams are two of the best actors working in Hollywood right now. Putting them together under the direction of Fashion Designer-turning-Filmmaker Tom Ford? Well that can only be a truly special kind of Film, and if the buzz out of Venice is to be believed, we are in for a sumptuous treat. And if it is anything like Fordâs A Single Man, it is destined for greatness.
Bleed for This
Miles Teller is one of the very few actors who I will watch anything in, no matter what. When I watched the trailer for Bleed for This during the summer, I knew this would be another great performance from the young actor. And seeing him paired with the likes of Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal and the great CiarĂĄn Hinds makes for an unmissable event.
Â
Justin Waldman (@DubsReviews)
Oh where to begin with the most wonderful time of the year? And no I am not talking about Christmas. Well I lied, I sort of am TIFFmas is here and there are plenty of highly-anticipated Films coming to the Festival this year and without further yammering, here are my top five in no particular order.
La La Land
Nocturnal Animals
Arrival
Free Fire
Paterson
All of these Films have elements to them that make me incredibly-excited for them. Whether that be Actors, Directors or general concept behind each one of these Movies, these have me anticipating TIFF ’16.
Jon Godfrey
American Honey
American Pastoral
A United Kingdom
The Handmaiden
The Red Turtle
What I love most about Film Festivals are the Movies. What I love most about TIFF is its international flavors. Like the city the Festival of Festivals is set in, TIFF Films are from multiple cultures and feature endless perspectives. Though two of my picks have âAmericaâ in their title, both are helmed by Directors from the United Kingdom. A United Kingdom is directed by an English woman of Ghanaian decent, and discusses interracial marriage. Then thereâs The Handmaiden, set in Japan occupied Korea and dressed like Victoriaâs England. Lastly, The Red Turtle, is a Dutch drawn Film co-produced by Japanâs Studio Ghibli⊠and itâs also my top pick đ All my picks look at this world with wonder, and come from around this wonderful world.
Amanda Gilmore (@GilmoreAmanda)
La La Land
Anything Damien Chazelle makes I will run to see! Plus it has the added bonus of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. It’s a Musical! It is one of the most talked about Films of the year.
Manchester By The Sea
Casey Affleck is a marvel to watch in everything he does, that is reason alone to see this. But this year he is getting Oscar buzz for his performance! It’s a quiet Film with a lot of heart.
Loving
This is the most talked about film coming out of film festivals. It’s got Oscar written all over it! The story is one of the more powerful and important ones at the Festival.
Burn Your Maps
This is a small Film that many aren’t talking about. Jacob Tremblay (Room) stars as the lead which is enough reason to go. It’s the Film no one talks about before the Festival, but everyone will hear about it after.
Nocturnal Animals
I’m a sucker for Jake Gyllenhaal. I’m a sucker for Amy Adams. The plot is strange and dark. It’s directed by Tom Ford (A Single Man) and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
George Kozera (@PartyG)
La La Land
Denial
It’s Only the End of the World
Arrival
American Pastoral
From a sun-drenched, most innovative Musical in decades (LA LA LAND) to the darkness of a soul who dismisses the reality of the Holocaust in a court room Drama (DENIAL); from offerings by two Canadian Auteurs who have yet to fail to impress (Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD and Denis Villeneuve‘s ARRIVAL) to a heartbreaking Family Drama based on a Philip Roth Novel (AMERICAN PASTORAL), TIFF ’16 is poised to be the best Festival yet!
TIFF ’16 takes place between Thursday, September 8, 2016 through Sunday, September 18, 2016. Â Check back right here and bookmark for up-to-minute star sightings and Reviews of the most buzzed Films at the Festival!
Be sure to be following on Social Media also:
Twitter: @mrwillw
Instagram: @mrwillwong
Snapchat: mrwillwong
Facebook: @mrwillwongblog
#TIFF16: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS + GALAS ANNOUNCED FOR 2016 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
It’s 21 days till TIFFmas and part of the fun is that lead-up to the world’s greatest Film Festival! Announcements were made in July at TIFF Bell Lightbox for some of the Films premiering at TIFF ’16 this September, including Galas and Special Presentations. Week by week, more Films were unveiled including Canadian titles Documentaries, Midnight Madness, Vanguard and City to City Programme Films were announced!
Highlighting the Festival this year are marquee titles and Awards Season contenders like the much-delayed SNOWDEN from Oliver Stone, DEEPWATER HORIZON from Peter Berg, PATERSON from Jim Jarsmuch, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS from Fashion Icon and Filmmaker Tom Ford, Venice Opening Night Film LA LA LAND by Damien Chazzelle who brought us 2014’s stellar WHIPLASH, QUEEN OF KATWE gives us a rare Disney selection from Mira Nair, LBJ from Rob Reiner, ARRIVAL from Canadian darling Denis Villeneuve, BIRTH OF A NATION by Actor/Director Nate Parker, PERSONAL SHOPPER from Festival darling Olivier Assayas, AMERICAN HONEY comes with much fanfare from Andrea Arnold, and highly-buzzed LOVED from Jeff Nichols.
Veering to the dark, Films like disaster flick COLOSSAL starring Anne Hathaway, dystopian cannibal Fairy Tale THE BAD BATCH, Adam Wingard‘s BLAIR WITCH and FREE FIRE starring Brie Larson, will premiere as part of the Vanguard and Midnight Madness Programmes!
Although not confirmed yet if he’ll be coming, many eyes will be on Documentary THE TURNING POINT which has Leonardo DiCaprio interviewing various subjects, shedding light how society can save endangered species, ecosystems and native communities. Â AMANDA KNOX also will draw plenty of attention, giving us never-before-seen footage and accounts with those close to her much-publicized story.
Opening the Festival this year is Antoine Fuqua‘s THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and closing it will be coming-of-age Dramedy EDGE OF SEVENTEEN by Kelly Fremon Craig. Lucky number 7 is rather prevalent at #TIFF41!
Canadian titles announced include IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD from auteur Xavier Dolan, BELOW HER MOUTH from April Mullen, MEAN DREAMS from Nathan Morlando, TWO LOVERS AND A BEAR from Kim Nguyen, WEIRDOS from Bruce McDonald and Animated Feature WINDOW HORSES from Ann Marie Fleming. As part of the Masters Program, Deepa Mehta‘s ANATOMY OF VIOLENCE also will get a World Premiere.
Jim Jarsmuch, Isabelle Huppert, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon and David Oyelowo will be front and center at the Festival this year, each with two Films apiece. Michael Fassbender will be kicking the Festival off appearing at the annual TIFF SoirĂ©e at Lightbox. He stars in TRESPASS AGAINST US which will get its World Premiere at TIFF ’16.
Lagos, Nigeria has been announced as the City of focus at the Festival’s City to City Programme, showcasing Filmmakers living in that City.
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle MonĂĄe and Pharrell Williams will appear at a special presentation of Theodore Melfiâs HIDDEN FIGURES LIVE which will for the first-time give TIFF members a chance to see footage from the upcoming Feature, followed by a live performance.
For the second time, TIFF presents its PRIMETIME Programme, focusing on Television. Episodes of series TRANSPARENT, BLACK MIRROR, WASTELAND and TUKO MACHO will be screening this year.
Here are some highlights from the first batch of TIFF ’16 Films announced:
âArrival,â Denis Villeneuve, USA, Canadian Premiere
âDeepwater Horizon,â Peter Berg, USA, World Premiere
âThe Headhunterâs Calling,â Mark Williams, Canada, World Premiere
âThe Journey is the Destination,â Bronwen Hughes, United Kingdom/South Africa, World Premiere
âJT + The Tennessee Kids,â Jonathan Demme, USA, World Premiere
âLBJ,â Rob Reiner, USA, World Premiere
âLion,â Garth Davis, Australia, World Premiere
âLoving,â Jeff Nichols, USA, North American Premiere
âA Monster Calls,â J.A. Bayona, USA/Spain, World Premiere
âPlanetarium,â Rebecca Zlotowski, France/Belgium, North American Premiere
âQueen of Katwe,â Mira Nair, South Africa/Uganda, World Premiere
âThe Rolling Stones OlĂ© OlĂ© OlĂ©! : A Trip Across Latin America,â Paul Dugdale, United Kingdom, World Premiere
âThe Secret Scripture,â Jim Sheridan, Ireland, World Premiere
âSnowden,â Oliver Stone, Germany/USA, World Premiere
âStrange Weather,â Katherine Dieckmann, USA, World Premiere
âTheir Finest,â Lone Scherfig, United Kingdom, World Premiere
âA United Kingdom,â Amma Asante, United Kingdom, World Premiere
âThe Age of Shadowsâ (Miljeong), Kim Jee woon, South Korea, North American Premiere
âAll I See Is You,â Marc Forster, Thailand, World Premiere
âAmerican Honey,â Andrea Arnold, USA, North American Premiere
âAmerican Pastoral,â Ewan McGregor, USA, World Premiere
âAsura: The City of Madness,â Kim Sung-soo, South Korea, World Premiere
âBarakah Meets Barakahâ (Barakah yoqabil Barakah), Mahmoud Sabbagh, Saudi Arabia, North American Premiere
âBarry,â Vikram Gandhi, USA, World Premiere
âBirth of the Dragon,â George Nolfi, USA/China/Canada, World Premiere
âThe Birth of a Nation,â Nate Parker, USA, International Premiere
âBleed for This,â Ben Younger, USA, Canadian Premiere
âBlue Jay,â Alex Lehmann USA, World Premiere
âBrimstone,â Martin Koolhoven, Netherlands/Germany/France/Belgium/Sweden/United Kingdom, North American Premiere
âBrotherhood,â Noel Clarke, United Kingdom, International Premiere
âCarrie Pilby,â Susan Johnson, USA, World Premiere
âCatfight,â Onur Tukel, USA, World Premiere
âCity of Tiny Lights,â Pete Travis, United Kingdom, World Premiere
âThe Communeâ (Kollektivet), Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands, North American Premiere
âDaguerrotypeâ (Le Secret de la chambre noire), Kiyoshi Kurosawa, France/Japan/Belgium, World Premiere
âA Death in the Gunj,â Konkona Sensharma, India, World Premiere
âDenial,â Mick Jackson, USA/United Kingdom, World Premiere
âElle,â Paul Verhoeven, France, North American Premiere
âForeign Bodyâ (Jassad Gharib, Corps Etranger), Raja Amari, Tunisia/France, World Premiere
âFrantz,â François Ozon, France/Germany, Canadian Premiere
âThe Handmaidenâ (Agassi), Park Chan-wook, South Korea, North American Premiere
âHarmoniumâ (Fuchi ni tatsu), KĂŽji Fukada, Japan/France, North American Premiere
âI Am Not Madame Bovary,â Feng Xiaogang, China, World Premiere
âThe Journey,â Nick Hamm, United Kingdom, North American Premiere
âKing of the Dancehall,â Nick Cannon, USA/Jamaica, World Premiere
âLa La Land,â Damien Chazelle, USA, Canadian Premiere
âThe Limehouse Golem,â Juan Carlos Medina, United Kingdom, World Premiere
âManchester by the Sea,â Kenneth Lonergan, USA, Canadian Premiere
âMascots,â Christopher Guest, USA, World Premiere
âMaudie,â Aisling Walsh, Canada/Ireland, Canadian Premiere
âNeruda,â Pablo LarraĂn, Chile/Argentina/Spain/France, Canadian Premiere
âNocturnal Animals,â Tom Ford, USA/United Kingdom, North American Premiere
âThe Oath,â Baltasar KormĂĄkur, Iceland, World Premiere
âOrphanâ (Orpheline), Arnaud des PalliĂšres, France, World Premiere
âParis Can Wait,â Eleanor Coppola, USA, World Premiere
âPaterson,â Jim Jarmusch, USA, North American Premiere
âThe Salesman,â Asghar Farhadi, North American Premiere
âSalt and Fire,â Werner Herzog, Germany/USA/France/Mexico, North American Premiere
âSing,â Garth Jennings, USA/France, World Premiere
âSouvenir,â Bavo Defurne, Belgium/Luxembourg/France, North American Premiere
âThings to Comeâ (LâAvenir), Mia Hansen-LĂžve, France/Germany, Canadian Premiere
âToni Erdmann,â Maren Ade, Germany, Canadian Premiere
âTrespass Against Us,â Adam Smith, United Kingdom, World Premiere
âUna,â Benedict Andrews, United Kingdom, Canadian Premiere
âUnless,â Alan Gilsenan, Canada/Ireland, World Premiere
âThe Wasted Timesâ (Luo Man Di Ke Xiao Wang Shi) Cheng Er, China, World Premiere
Second batch of announcements:
“A Cool Sound from Hell,â Sidney J. Furie, Canada
“nirvanna the band the show,â Matt Johnson, Canada, World Premiere
“Nelly,â Anne Ămond, Canada, World Premiere
“X Quinientos Juan AndrĂ©s Arango,â Canada/Colombia/Mexico, World Premiere
“Boundaries,â ChloĂ© Robichaud, Canada, World Premiere
“Werewolf,â Ashley McKenzie, Canada, World Premiere
“Prank,” Vincent Biron, Canada, World Premiere
“Old Stone,â Johnny Ma, Canada/China, World Premiere
“Jean of the Joneses,â Stella Meghie, Canada, Canadian Premiere
“Hello Destroyer,â Kevan Funk, Canada, World Premiere
“ARQ,â Tony Elliott, USA/Canada, World Premiere
“The Stairs,â Hugh Gibson, Canada, World Premiere
“The Skyjackerâs Tale,â Jamie Kastner, Canada, World Premiere
“The River of My Dreams,â Brigitte Berman, Canada, World Premiere
“Mostly Sunny,â Dilip Mehta, Canada, World Premiere
“Giants of Africa,â Hubert Davis, Canada, World Premiere
“Black Code,â Nicholas de Pencier, Canada, World Premiere
“All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, and The Spirit of I.F. Stone,â Fred Peabody, Canada, World Premiere
“We Canât Make the Same Mistake Twice,â Alanis Obomsawin, Canada, World Premiere
“Anatomy of Violence,” Deepa Mehta, Canada/India, World Premiere
“Window Horses (The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming),â Ann Marie Fleming, Canada, North American Premiere
“Weirdos,â Bruce McDonald, Canada, World Premiere
“Two Lovers and a Bear Kim,â Nguyen, Canada, North American Premiere
“Mean Dreams,â Nathan Morlando, Canada, North American Premiere
“Itâs Only the End of the World,â Xavier Dolan, Canada/France, North American Premiere
“Below Her Mouth,â April Mullen, Canada, World Premiere
Third batch of Films including Documentary, Midnight Madness and Vanguard Programmes:
“The 6th Beatle,” Tony Guma and John Rose, USA/United Kingdom/Germany, World Premiere
“ABACUS: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, USA World Premiere
“Amanda Knox,” Brian McGinn and Rod Blackhurst, USA/Denmark, World Premiere
“An Insignificant Man,” Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla, India, World Premiere
“The B-Side: Elsa Dorfmanâs Portrait Photography,” Errol Morris, USA, International Premiere
“Beauties of the Night MarĂa,” JosĂ© Cuevas, Mexico, Canadian Premiere
“Bezness as Usual,” Alex Pitstra, Netherlands, North American Premiere
“Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary,” John Scheinfeld, USA. International Premiere
“The Cinema Travellers,” Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya, India, North American Premiere
“Citizen Jane: Battle for the City,” Matt Tyrnauer, USA, World Premiere
“Forever Pure,” Maya Zinshtein, Israel/United Kingdom/Ireland/Norway, International Premiere
“Gaza Surf Club,” Philip Gnadt and Mickey Yamine, Germany, World Premiere
“Gimme Danger,” Jim Jarmusch, USA, North American Premiere
“Girl Unbound,” Erin Heidenreich, Pakistan/Canada/Hong Kong/South Korea, World Premiere
“I Am Not Your Negro,” Raoul Peck, USA/France/Belgium/Switzerland, World Premiere
“India in a Day,” Richie Mehta, India/United Kingdom, International Premiere
“In Exile Tin Win Naing,” Germany/Myanmar, World Premiere
“Into the Inferno,” Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer, United Kingdom/Austria, International Premiere
“The Ivory Game Kief,” Davidson and Richard Ladkani, Austria/USA, International Premiere
“Karl Marx City,” Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker, USA/Germany, World Premiere
“Mali Blues,” Lutz Gregor, Germany North, American
“Politics, Instructions Manual (PolĂtica, manual de instrucciones),” Fernando LeĂłn de Aranoa, Spain, International Premiere
“Rodnye (Close Relations),” Vitaly Mansky, Latvia/Germany/Estonia/Ukraine, North American Premiere
“The Turning Point,” USA, World Premiere
“The War Show Andreas Dalsgaard and Obaidah Zytoon,” Denmark/Finland/Syria, North American Premiere
“Water and Sugar: Carlo Di Palma, the Colours of Life,” Fariborz Kamkari, Italy, International Premiere
“The Autopsy of Jane Doe,” AndrĂ© Ăvredal, USA World Premiere
“Blair Witch,” Adam Wingard, USA, World Premiere
“Dog Eat Dog,” Paul Schrader, USA, North American Premiere
“Free Fire,” Ben Wheatley, United Kingdom, World Premiere
“The Girl With All the Gifts,” Colm McCarthy, United Kingdom, North American Premiere
“Headshot,” Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto, Indonesia, World Premiere
“Rats Morgan,” Morgan Spurlock, USA, World Premiere
“Raw (Grave),” Julia Ducournau, France/Belgium, International Premiere
“Sadako vs. Kayako,” KĆji Shiraishi, Japan, International
“The Bad Batch Ana Lily Amirpour,” USA, North American Premiere
“Blind Sun Joyce,” A. Nashawati, France/Greece, North American Premiere
“Buster’s Mal Heart,” Sarah Adina Smith, USA, World Premiere
“Colossal,” Nacho Vigalondo, Canada, World Premiere
“Godspeed,” Chung Mong-Hong, Taiwan, World Premiere
“I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House,” Osgood Perkins, Canada/USA, World Premiere
“Interchange,” Dain Iskandar Said, Malaysia/Indonesia, North American Premiere
“Message from the King,” Fabrice Du Welz, United Kingdom/France/Belgium, World Premiere
“My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea,” Dash Shaw, USA, World Premiere
“Prevenge,” Alice Lowe, United Kingdom, North American Premiere
“The Untamed (La regiĂłn salvaje),” Amat Escalante, Mexico/Denmark/France/Germany/Norway/Switzerland, North American Premiere
“WITHOUT NAME,” Lorcan Finnegan, Ireland, World Premiere
Fourth wave of Films announced including respectively Galas, Special Presentations, Masters, City to City and Contemporary World Cinema Programmes:
“Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer,” Joseph Cedar, USA/Israel, International Premiere
“The Promise,” Terry George, USA/Spain, World Premiere
“(Re)Assignment,” Walter Hill, Canada, World Premiere
“150 Milligrams (La Fille de Brest),” Emmanuelle Bercot, France, World Premiere
“The Bleeder,” Philippe Falardeau, USA, North American Premiere
“Brain on Fire,” Gerard Barrett, Ireland/Canada, World Premiere
“Burn Your Maps,” Jordan Roberts, USA/Mongolia, World Premiere
“Christine,” Antonio Campos, USA, Canadian Premiere
“The Duelist,” Alexey Mizgirev, Russia, World Premiere
“The Exception,” David Leveaux, United Kingdom, World Premiere
“I, Daniel,” Blake Ken Loach, United Kingdom/France/Belgium, North American Premiere
“In Dubious Battle,” James Franco, USA, North American Premiere
“The Long Excuse (Nagai Iiwake),” Miwa Nishikawa, Japan, World Premiere
“Rage,” Sang-il Lee, Japan, World Premiere
“Voyage of Time: Life’s Journey,” Terrence Malick, Germany, North American Premiere
“Wakefield,” Robin Swicord, USA, International Premiere
“After the Storm,” Hirokazu Kore-eda, Japan North, American Premiere
“Afterimage (Powidoki),” Andrzej Wajda, Poland, World Premiere
“The Bait (Tope),” Buddhadeb Dasgupta, India, World Premiere
“The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez (Les Beaux Jours d’Aranjuez),” Wim Wenders, France/Germany, North American Premiere
“Certain Women,” Kelly Reichardt, USA, Canadian Premiere
“Fire at Sea (Fuocoammare),” Gianfranco Rosi, Italy/France, Canadian Premiere
“Graduation (Bacalaureat),” Cristian Mungiu, Romania, Canadian Premiere
“Hissein HabrĂ©, A Chadian Tragedy,” Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, France/Chad, North American Premiere
“J: Beyond Flamenco (JOTA),” Carlos Saura, Spain, World Premiere
“Julieta,” Pedro AlmodĂłvar, Spain, North American Premiere
“Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi),” Goran PaskaljeviÄ, India/Serbia, World Premiere
“Ma’ Rosa Brillante,” Ma Mendoza, Philippines, North American Premiere
“The Net (Geumul),” Kim Ki-duk, South Korea, North American Premiere
“Never Ever (Ă jamais),” BenoĂźt Jacquot, France/Portugal, North American Premiere
“Once Again (Pinneyum),” Adoor Gopalakrishnan, India, International Premiere
“Personal Shopper,” Olivier Assayas, France, North American Premiere
“A Quiet Passion,” Terence Davies, United Kingdom/Belgium, North American Premiere
“Safari,” Ulrich Seidl, Austria, American Premiere
“Sieranevada,” Cristi Puiu, Romania, North American Premiere
“Sweet Dreams (Fai bei sogni),” Marco Bellocchio, Italy, North American Premiere
“The Unknown Girl (La Fille inconnue),” Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Belgium/France, North American Premiere
“Yourself and Yours (Dangsinjasingwa dangsinui geot),” Hong Sang-soo, South Korea, World Premiere
“76,” Izu Ojukwu, Nigeria, World Premiere
“93 Days,” Steve Gukas, Nigeria, World Premiere
“The Arbitration,” Niyi Akinmolayan, Nigeria, International Premiere
“Green White Green,” Abba Makama, Nigeria, World Premiere
“Just Not Married,” Uduak-Obong Patrick, Nigeria, International Premiere
“Okafor’s Law,” Omoni Oboli, Nigeria, World Premiere
“Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver),” Daniel Emeke Oriahi, Nigeria, North American Premiere
“The Wedding Party,” Kemi Adetiba, Nigeria, World Premiere
“A Decent Woman (Los Decentes),” Lukas Valenta Rinner, Austria/South Korea/Argentina, North American Premiere
“After Love (L’Ă©conomie du couple),” Joachim Lafosse, France/Belgium, North American Premiere
“The Animal’s Wife (La Mujer del Animal),” VĂctor Gaviria, Colombia, International Premiere
“Apprentice,” Boo Junfeng, Singapore/Germany/France/Hong Kong/Qatar, North American Premiere
“Aquarius,” Kleber Mendonça Filho, Brazil/France, North American Premiere
“Ayiti Mon Amour,” Guetty Felin, Haiti/USA, International Premiere
“Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces (Al Ma’ wal Khodra wal Wajh al Hassan),” Yousry Nasrallah, Egypt, North American Premiere
“Clair Obscur (TereddĂŒt),” YeĆim UstaoÄlu, Turkey/Germany/Poland/France, World Premiere
“Death in Sarajevo (Smrt u Sarajevu),” Danis TanoviÄ, Bosnia and Herzegovina/France, North American Premiere
“Ember (Kor),” Zeki Demirkubuz, Turkey/Germany, International Premiere
“The Fixer (Fixeur),” Adrian Sitaru, Romania/France, World Premiere
“Handsome Devil,” John Butler, Ireland, World Premiere
“Heaven Will Wait (Le ciel attendra),” Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, France, North American Premiere
“In Between (Bar Bahr),” Maysaloun Hamoud, Israel/France, World Premiere
“Indivisible (Indivisibili),” Edoardo de Angelis, Italy, International Premiere
“Marie Curie, The Courage of Knowledge,” Marie NoĂ«lle, Germany/France/Poland, World Premiere
“Mister Universo,” Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel, Austria/Italy, North American Premiere
“Past Life,” Avi Nesher, Israel, World Premiere
“The Patriarch (Mahana),” Lee Tamahori, New Zealand, North American Premiere
“Pyromaniac (Pyromanen),” Erik SkjoldbjĂŠrg, Norway, International Premiere
“The Rehearsal,” Alison Maclean, New Zealand, North American Premiere
“The Road to Mandalay,” Midi Z, Taiwan/Myanmar/France/Germany, North American Premiere
“Santa & Andres (Santa y AndrĂ©s),” Carlos Lechuga, Cuba/Colombia/France, World Premiere
“Soul on a String,” Zhang Yang, China, International Premiere
“Tamara and the Ladybug (Tamara y la Catarina),” LucĂa Carreras, Mexico/Spain, World Premiere
“Tramps,” Adam Leon, USA, World Premiere
“Vaya,” Akin Omotoso, South Africa, World Premiere
“We Are Never Alone (Nikdy nejsme sami),” Petr Vaclav, Czech Republic/France, North American Premiere
“The Wedding Ring (Zin’naariyĂą!),” Rahmatou KeĂŻta, Niger/Burkina Faso/France, World Premiere
“The Womenâs Balcony (Ismach Hatani),” Emil Ben Shimon, Israel, World Premiere
“ZaÄma: Blindness Ryszard Bugajski,” Poland, World Premiere
“Zoology (Zoologiya),” Ivan I. Tverdovsky, Russia/France/Germany, North American Premiere
Individual Tickets for TIFF ’16 go on-sale on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 9:00 AM here. Bookmark that link!
TIFF ’16 takes over the City Thursday, September 8, 2016 through Sunday, September 18, 2016.
We’ll see you there!
(Photo credit: Fox Searchlight, Focus Features, Elevation Pictures, eOne Films)
#FIRSTLOOK: 2016 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS LINEUP
Umm… can we go to Cannes? The lineup for the prestigious Film Festival has been revealed and this year 49 titles from 28 countries will be making their way to the Croisette May 11-12, 2016. Â The Festival is seen as a precursor to some of the Films that will be seen Awards Season as contenders and also in our City, TIFF this September?
Among the highlights are Woody Allen‘s latest, CafĂ© Society, which re-teams once again Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg. The Film is about a young man in the ’30s who goes to Paris looking to work in Film, but he falls in love and is swept away by the cafĂ© society. It opens the Festival.
Unlike other years, no Closing Night Film was announced. Like TIFF, they will re-screen the winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or.
American Honey from Andrea Arnold (Transparent), is a British Film about a group of young people who travel the U.S. selling magazine subscriptions and the antics they get into. Shia Labeouf and Riley Keough star.
Elle is the latest from Paul Verhoeven (Showgirls, Basic Instinct) and it centers around a video game company executive who gets attacked in her own home. She devotes her energies into finding her assailant and what results is much like an unpredictable video game.
Canada is well-represented by festival darling Xavier Dolan‘s latest, It’s Only the End of the World. It centers on a man who returns home to tell his family he’s dying. It stars Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard and LĂ©a Seydoux.
Visionary Pedro AlmodĂłvar returns to the festival circuit with his latest Julieta, which follows the life of a woman on the verge of madness and her life 30 years prior when things were grand.
Loving from Jeff Nichols follows an interracial couple who go to prison for being in love in 1958. Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton star.
Jim Jarsmusch returns with his latest, Paterson, about a bus driver who dabbles in poetry. Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Adam Driver stars.
Sean Penn directs The Last Face, starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem, both aid workers who fall in love in a war-torn Liberia.
Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) returns with The Handmaiden, about an heiress who falls for a thief.
Nicolas Winding Refn is developing a reputation for stylish, unconventional and polarizing Films and he returns with The Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning as a supermodel whom is preyed upon by her rivals.
Personal Shopper stars Kristen Stewart as a young woman working as a shopper for a celebrity. Olivier Assayas directs.
Screening out of competition, meaning they are not competing for the Palme d’Or, are Jodie Foster‘s New York-filmed Money Monster starring Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Jack O’Connell. Steven Spielberg‘s eagerly-awaited Roald Dahl adaptation, The BFG also premieres. The Nice Guys by Shane Black, stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe – a pair of almost-cops who bend the rules surrounding a missing girl’s investigation.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com