Darwin Biopic Opening Toronto; Soderbergh’s Latest Among 22 Others

A scene from Jon Amiel's "Creation." Image courtesy of Recorded Picture Company.

The world premiere of Jon Amiel’s “Creation” will open the 34th Toronto International Film Festival September 10th.  The film is based on the life story of Charles Darwin, and stars Paul Bettany as Darwin and Jennifer Connelly as his wife.  “Creation” marks a significant evolution from the festival’s tradition of opening North America’s largest film event with a Canadian production. Written by John Collee and based on the Randal Keynes biography of Darwin titled “Annie’s Box,” “Creation” was co-developed by Recorded Picture Company with BBC Films and the UK Film Council.

“The tension between faith and reason is prominent in contemporary culture and this intimate look at Darwin puts a human face on a man whose theory remains controversial to this day,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF, in a statement. “We are pleased to open the festival with such an impassioned look at Charles Darwin, especially on the year marking the 200th anniversary of his birth.”

The festival described the film as “part ghost story, part psychological thriller, part heart-wrenching love story. Torn between his love for his deeply religious wife and his own growing belief in a world where God has no place,” they describe, “Darwin finds himself caught in a struggle between faith and reason, love and truth.”

“We are honoured to open the festival with Jon Amiel’s latest feature,” said Cameron Bailey, Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, in a statement. “By telling a story on many levels, weaving scenes from past and present, this depiction of Darwin promises to deeply move audiences by drawing them into the conflicted mind of a man who presented a concept that changed the world.”

The festival also announced the addition of three Gala Presentations and nineteen Special Presentations to the programming lineup. Highlights include the world premieres of Raoul Peck’s “Moloch Tropical,” Niki Caro’s “The Vintner’s Luck,” Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson’s “The Invention of Lying,” Tim Blake Nelson’s “Leaves of Grass,” Scott Hicks’ “The Boys and Back,” Neil Jordan’s “Ondine,” and Brian Koppelman and David Levien’s “Solitary Man,” as well as the North American premieres of Steven Soderbergh’s “The Informant!” (perhaps suggesting it will screen in Venice beforehand), and Cannes alums like Jane Campion’s “Bright Star,” Johnnie To’s “Vengeance,” and Bong Joon-ho’s “Mother.”

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A complete list of announced films, with descriptions provided by the festival, is on the next page of this article. You can also check out a list of previously announced titles here. -continued on page 2- Loading ... Does Darwin’s study of evolution in "On the Origin of Species" negate the existence of God outright? Yes, evolution explains life on earth and eliminates the Supernatural inherently. No, the two can exist simultaneously and complementarily. I don't believe in evolution as described in Darwin's work, Adam & Eve were the first humans. God only knows... Read & React: Darwin Biopic Opening Toronto; Soderbergh’s Latest Among 22 Others Page 1 of 3 Next Login to recommend this article » posted on July 14, 2009 Films to Snag Login to Leave a Comment »