#TIFF26: “ANCESTORS” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Ancestors is set in 1980s London and follows Beau (Éanna Hardwicke), an Irishman who left his homeland, where homosexuality was still illegal, for London. He spends his days working in a cafe and his nights with his friend Shell (Jessica Reynolds). When Tiny (Jack Wolfe) arrives at the cafe one day, an unlikely bond forms between the two, until Tiny disappears. This leads Beau to embark on a journey to find him.

David Turpin’s feature debut is a haunting journey of a man searching for his friend. As Beau begins his search, the lines between reality and fantasy blur. We watch as he falls into dreams involving Gloria (Christina Hendricks), a glamorous woman who helps guide him. In reality, he begins speaking to Maurice (Rupert Everett), who shows the resilience of the older generation that garnered change for Beau’s. The lines between Beau’s waking and sleeping life often feel blurred. This is perfectly captured through Patrick Jordan’s dreamy cinematography.

Ancestors is a touching story about gay legacy. We are brought into multiple generations to show the achievements made for the community. Having it set in 80s London shows a city at a time that altered the lives of gay men forever. Turpin has delivered a poignant feature that allows its audience to reflect on love and loss. As with any first feature, there are some rough edges (such as some of the edits throughout). But even so, Turpin has delivered a strong debut.

Ancestors screens at TIFF ‘26:

Sat. Sept 12 @ 9:30 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Mon. Sept 14 @ 9:40 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sun. Sept 20 @ 3:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FROM “MY POLICEMAN”

Harry Styles and Emma Corrin star in MY POLICEMAN, arriving this Fall. See the first stills from this upcoming Feature from Director Michael Grandage. We’ll be seeing this at TIFF! Can’t wait.

Starring: Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson and Rupert Everett.

Synopsis:

A beautifully crafted story of forbidden love and changing social conventions, My Policeman follows three young people – policeman Tom (Harry Styles), teacher Marion (Emma Corrin), and museum curator Patrick (David Dawson)– as they embark on an emotional journey in 1950s Britain. Flashing forward to the 1990s, Tom (Linus Roache), Marion (Gina McKee), and Patrick (Rupert Everett) are still reeling with longing and regret, but now they have one last chance to repair the damage of the past. Based on the book by Bethan Roberts, director Michael Grandage carves a visually transporting, heart-stopping portrait of three people caught up in the shifting tides of history, liberty, and forgiveness.

My Policeman will Release in Theaters on October 21, 2022 and Globally on Prime Video Starting November 4, 2022.

(Photo credit: Prime Video)

#SUNDANCE18: “THE HAPPY PRINCE”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Happy Prince takes place in the final days of Oscar Wilde (Rupert Everett) as he looks back on his failures.

Actor-Writer-Director Rupert Everett crafts an intriguing portrait of a dying man. He focuses on the years Wilde shared with his lover Bosie (Colin Morgan) and the events that circled around the relationship, creating the period in which Wilde lived but also the tragic events he lived through. Everett has devoted much of his craft to Wilde portraying him in the Play The Judas Kiss, which played in Toronto.

Everett is superb as Wilde. His passion and love for Wilde shines through every frame. He encompasses the wild, loving, funny, depressed and sometime angry Wilde effortlessly. Everett surrounds himself with a talented ensemble consisting of Colin Firth, Emily Watson and Edwin Thomas who elevate every scene.

The Happy Prince screens at Sundance on Jan. 21 at 9:30PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 22 at 9AM at PC Library, Jan. 24 at 9PM at Sundance Resort, Jan. 27 at 7PM at Redstone 2 PC, and Jan. 28 at 3:15PM at The Grand SLC.

#SPOTTED: RUPERT EVERETT IN TORONTO FOR “THE JUDAS KISS”

Based on the life of Oscar Wilde and his tragic condemnation, The Judas Kiss premiered in Toronto this week at Mirvish Theatre. Starring English star of screen and stage Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Shrek), the play runs in the City through May. The Show – which be warned –  features nudity and mature themes, makes its way here after a massively successful sold-out run in London’s West End.

Synopsis:

Rupert Everett plays Oscar Wilde in David Hare’s The Judas Kiss —a compelling drama about the power of all consuming love and the cruelty of betrayal. It is 1895 and Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, is playing in the West End after a triumphant premiere, but already the wheels are in motion, which will lead to his imprisonment, downfall and vilification.

Forced to make a choice between his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, and his freedom, the ever romantic Wilde embarks on a course towards self-destruction.

We caught-up with cast members Cal McAninch (Robbie Ross), Charlie Rowe (Lord Alfred Douglas), Elliot Balchin (Alfred) and Everett earlier as they head out for dinner break. The cast plays an evening show at 8 PM following a 2 PM matinee.

Everett despite being a bit unrecognizable at first, was kind and gracious to stop for Fans along with his cast mates. He next can be seen this September in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. He also is developing a Wilde Biopic, an extension of his longtime fascination of the Writer.

More on The Judas Kiss here.

See our Snaps:

With the cast of @Mirvish’s #TheJudasKiss, on now till May. With: #CalMacAninch #ElliotBalchin #CharlieRowe + #RupertEverett. #Theatre #Toronto #The6ix

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 26, 2016 at 3:19pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)