TORONTO '07 | Catching Up: indieWIRE at the Toronto International Film Festival

The 2007 Toronto International Film Festival came to a close on Saturday night in Canada and indieWIRE is wrapping up its coverage early this week. Our reports from Toronto include a mix of news, buzz, reviews, interviews, iPOP photos and feature articles. We invite you to check out indieWIRE's coverage from the festival.
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TORONTO '07 | Cronenberg and Maddin Win Top TIFF Prizes; Mexican Films Also Honored

Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg's "Eastern Promises" won the People's Choice Award today (Saturday) at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival. Marking the end of an event that screened some 349 films over 10 days this year, Toronto festival co-directors Piers Handling and Noah Cowan presented prizes on the final day of the event. Cronenberg's latest, a crime thriller which opened theatrically this weekend, stars Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, and Armin Mueller-Stahl.
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TORONTO '07 | Two Docs, "Jihad For Love" and "Surfwise" Stir Up Traditions in Both East and West

Defying tradition both openly and while hiding are at the root of two films screening here this week in Toronto. Parvez Sharma's "A Jihad for Love" takes a look at a segment of the planet's gays who are often left voiceless (along with those in other religious traditions). Exploring homosexual Muslims, the director said making the film was surprisingly abetted by the customs of Islam itself. And on the polar opposite spectrum, Doug Pray's "Surfwise" chronicles the rejection of the material world and the pursuit of great surf by one couple and their nine children who grew up living in a camper traveling from beach to beach in search of the perfect wave and perfect health.
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TORONTO '07 | Gael x 3; Gillespie x 2

"I wanted to do it eventually and this came up," Gael Garcia Bernal told indieWIRE about his first foray into directing, "Deficit," which is having its North American debut here in Toronto. "You need to find a unified reason why the film needs to exist and find the frontier of what you want to tell." Bernal, also in Toronto as the star of Hector Babenco's "The Past" and as executive producer of Israel Cardenas and Laura Amelia Guzman's "Cochochi," sat down alongside "Deficit" screenwriter Kyzza Terrazas to discuss their experience. "Gael had this anecdote about this rich kid that had a party at his country house with some of his friends," said Terrazas. "His girlfriend was supposed to come, but he meets another girl that he likes. He starts giving his girlfriend wrong directions as to how to get to the house. That was the skeleton that Gael had in mind, and he invited me to collaborate in the screenplay. What I tried to do was bring that world life."
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TORONTO '07 | In Two New Films, Ball & McCarthy Examine America; Both Titles Acquired Today at TIFF

Among the new American narrative films stirring talk at the Toronto International Film Festival on 9/11 are two high-profile, provocative independent titles -- backed by powerhouse producers -- that have secured U.S. distribution today here at the festival: Alan Ball's "Nothing is Private" and Tom McCarthy's "The Visitor." Ball's "Six Feet Under" fame stirred anticipation for his feature directing debut and McCarthy's success with 2003's "The Station Agent" created substantial interest in his new movie. Tonight (Tuesday) in Canada, Warner Independent Pictures closed a deal for Ball's "Private" (adding that they are in final negotiations to partner with Netflix's Red Envelope Entertainment on a deal that includes North American rights and multiple other territories). Meanwhile, early this morning, McCarthy's film scored a North American pact with new distribution outfit, Overture Films.
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TORONTO '07 | President Carter Talks Peace Ahead of "Plains" Premiere; Dong Brings "Hollywood" Expose

Amidst the frivolity of parties, red carpets, dinners and flashing cameras, the Toronto International Film Festival displayed its serious side today (Monday), ahead of the sixth anniversary of 9/11, with a visit from the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The Carters were on hand to talk about Jonathan Demme's new doc, " Jimmy Carter Man from Plains" -- a triple award-winner at the recent Venice Film Festival this weekend -- that follows Carter during the period after last year's publishing of one of his most controversial books, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."
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TORONTO '07 | Blast Off: Fest Serves As Launch Pad, Igniting Buzz For New Films Hoping to Catch Fire

In the TV business, networks launch new fall shows at an annual "press tour" for critics and journalists. Upcoming shows are previewed while TV marketers wine and dine media & industry at lavish parties. Similarly, the first weekend of the Toronto International Film Festival had the look and feel of a press tour for the film business. Studios, specialty divisions and smaller companies launched fall films this weekend in Canada, while some independent producers shopped new titles that are hoping to secure distribution. And amidst it all, the industry began whispering more intensely about Oscar season. One seasoned industry executive, from a studio-backed distribution unit, praised Toronto on Sunday succinctly as, "Still the ultimate launching pad for a film in North America."
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TORONTO '07 | IFC "Jar City" Pact as TIFF Opens; Podeswa, Lantos Have Toronto Homecoming with "Pieces"

The Toronto International Film Festival is so big -- with a roster of nearly 350 movies -- that multiple films are in the spotlight on opening night. While the fest officially opened with a gala screening and a pair of parties for Jeremy Podeswa's "Fugitive Pieces," across town Martin Gero's "Young People Fucking" was one of the many films also showcased on the first day of TIFF. It was subsequently celebrated with a fitting late-night bash at a new Toronto swingers club. And, fresh from considerable buzz in Telluride over the weekend, Baltasar Kormakur's "Jar City" debuted in Toronto hours before IFC Entertainment confirmed a North American acquisition deal for the popular Icelandic film.
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TORONTO '07 | Eating, Drinking, and Shopping in Toronto: An indieWIRE Insiders Guide

Tens of thousands of people will converge upon Canada's largest city over the next ten days or so for one of the world's largest film events, socializing and networking all over town. indieWIRE surveyed a group of Toronto locals and insiders about their favorites places to eat, drink, shop and chill, including some of our own tips from indieWIRE staffer (and former Torontonian) Peter Knegt. The results of our informal, subjective survey follow. We invite readers and TIFF attendees alike to discuss, dispute and react to the suggestions offered. Comments and corrections are invited at the end of this article, so go for it. We'll take another look at it next year. But until then, here's to a lively, productive and fun 10 days in Toronto. Insider tips and suggestions were provided by actress Tracy Wright, filmmaker and actor Jacob Tierney, film and theatre producer Brad Horvath, TIFF staffers Jennifer MacFarlane and Kelly Thompson, Lisa Clapperton of Banger Productions, local blogger Christopher Needles, graduate student Brian Fauteux, and Michael Gorman of Toronto-based Last Gang Records.
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TORONTO '07 | Fest Set With 349 Film Slate; Cowan Unveils Serious, Political 32nd TIFF

349 films from 55 countries are set for the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, organizers are revealing this morning in Canada. "There is a lot of soul-searching and a lot of extremely gifted, overwhelmingly passionate cinema in the festival this year, TIFF co-director Noah Cowan told indieWIRE in a conversation yesterday. "These are filmmakers who are out to transform the way we see the world, they are out to make a difference." As previously announced, the event will kick-off with Canadian Jeremy Podeswa's "Fugitive Pieces" on September 6th and close with Paolo Barzman's "Emotional Arithmetic" on September 15th.
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TORONTO '07 | Fest Sets Slate for Discovery Section, Showcasing New Films From Emerging International Directors

Thirteen titles have been announced for the Discovery section at the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival, running September 6 - 15, 2007, joining one previously announced Discovery film. Now in its 12th year, the section -- for new and emerging directors from around the world -- is competitive. Filmmakers vie for a $10,000 DIESEL Discovery Award with the winner chosen by voters from the festival's 1000 accredited journalists. Last year's winner was Joachim Trier's "Reprise" from Norway. The complete list of fourteen Discovery films is included below and the festival indicated that no additions to the section are expected. Last year, the section included some twenty films.
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TORONTO '07 | Conflicts and Character in the Spotlight as TIFF Unveils Doc Slate

The Toronto International Film Festival unveiled this year's full documentary line up for its Real to Reel section, describing the roster as "politically engaged work and in-depth character studies." Thirteen American docs join this year's list of 20 Real to Reel films in addition to two U.S. and overseas co-productions. Conflicts past and present with an emphasis on the Muslim world are among this year's major themes, including a look back at the Algeria's conflict with France for independence in Jean-Pierre Lledo's "Algerrie, Histories a Ne Pas Dire," while Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro's "Body of War" gives a personal account of the war in Iraq. Other notable titles in this year's doc line up include Werner Herzog's look at Antarctica in "Encounters at the End of the World," "The Last King of Scotland" director Kevin Macdonald's "My Enemy's Enemy," "A Jihad for Love" by newcomer Parvez Sharma and Amir Bar-Lev's Sundance debut "My Kid Could Paint That." TIFF takes place in Canada's largest city September 6 - 15.
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TORONTO '07 | "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" Set for 32nd TIFF; Fest Names 32 Films for '07 Event

Shekhar Kapur's "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" will premiere as a Gala Presentation at the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival, organizers have announced. Reprising the roles they originated in seven-time Academy Award-nominated "Elizabeth," Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush star in the historical thriller. Queen Elizabeth I (Academy Award-winner Blanchett) faces bloodlust for her throne and familial betrayal in this installment. Growing keenly aware of the changing religious and political tides of late 16th century Europe, Elizabeth finds her rule openly challenged by the Spanish King Philip II (Jordi Molla)--with his powerful army and sea-dominating armada--determined to restore England to Catholicism. In addition to the second installment of "Elizabeth," Toronto has also announced 32 international selections that have screened at festivals globally, set for this year's TIFF, taking place September 6 - 15.
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TORONTO '06 DAILY DISPATCH: "Bella" Shines With Audience Prize; Fest Anticipates 40 U.S. Deals from '06 Slate; and Apted & Politics

While some industry insiders bemoaned the lack of deal-making midway through the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, organizers at the festival are confident that when all is said and done the event will see a record number of acquisitions of new films by U.S. distributors. Toronto festival co-director Noah Cowan sat down for a lengthy conversation with indieWIRE yesterday to survey this year's market and on Saturday he joined his colleague Piers Handling on stage to present the festival's seven prizes, including the festival audience award to Alejandro Monteverde's "Bella."
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TORONTO '06 DAILY DISPATCH: Waters and JCM Talk Sex; The Dixie Chicks Talk Back

The 2006 Toronto International Film Festival wrap ups this weekend, with an awards presentation and final screenings. 27,747 minutes of movies will have screened by fest's end, in front of some 305,000 admissions. Among the highlights of the week was an on-stage conversation between filmmakers John Waters and John Cameron Mitchell and a full report is included in the latest dispatch from Toronto. Also included is the latest on the "Dixie Chicks" doc, which was acquired shortly before the fest by The Weinstein Company.
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TORONTO '06: From Lennon to Cobain, Music Docs Rock Toronto

This year's Toronto International Film Festival features several standout music documentaries covering vastly different themes - from Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck's "Dixie Chicks - Shut Up and Sing" to Jerome Laperrousaz's "Made in Jamaica." Among the most buzzed about music docs were AJ Schnack's "Kurt Cobain About a Son," Paul Rachman's "American Hardcore," and David Leaf and John Scheinfeld's "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" - three very different documentaries that explore music against a backdrop of American angst.
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TORONTO '06 CRITICS NOTEBOOK: Verhoeven and Jia Offer Fest Surprises, Sarah Polley Shines

Wednesday is technically the three-quarter-mark at the Toronto International Film Festival, but it might as well be its final hours. As of Thursday, most industry folks and critics have already hopped on planes back home, while those that haven't wish that they had. And pronouncements about the festival's success (or failure) have long taken hold. Because Toronto lacks a competition section, it's not as easy to evaluate, as say, Cannes or Sundance. Every year, the judgment seems to be roughly the same: the world premieres are hit or miss; hyped films never live up to their buildup ("D.O.A.P"); Hollywood shoots off some blanks (this year's "Elizabethtown" award goes to "A Good Year" and "All the Kings Men") and fires up some Oscar contenders (namely, Kate Winslet in "Little Children" and Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland"); and Canadian films at this Canadian festival are sorely overlooked.
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TORONTO '06 DAILY DISPATCH: Hal Hartley Back With "Fay Grim"; Eytan Fox' Latest, "The Bubble"

Two filmmakers, both born in New York, are in the spotlight as indieWIRE looks at a pair of films that have struck a chord with Toronto International Film Festival audiences as the event heads into the final stretch: Hal Hartley's "Fay Grim" and Eytan Fox's "The Bubble." While "Grim" is set for domestic release next year from Magnolia (and worldwide sales are being handled by HDNet Films International), "Bubble" is still awaiting a U.S. deal, while a number of territories are already sold. Dealmaking continued in Toronto on Wednesday, with Lionsgate nabbing the U.S. rights to Sarah Polley's feature filmmaking debut, "Away From Her" (the latest deal news is available in indieWIRE's Buzz section).
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TORONTO '06 DAILY DISPATCH: Trying To Make Sense of the Toronto Marketplace As Magnolia Nabs "Exiled"

After scoring deals for two acclaimed genre titles in Cannes, U.S. based Magnolia Pictures struck again, acquiring Johnny To's "Exiled," fresh from its recent world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and its North American premiere here at the Toronto International Film Festival. The deal, for all English-language rights to the action thriller, is a three-way pact which includes UK rights for Optimum Releasing and rights in Australia and New Zealand for Madman Entertainment (Magnolia will sub-distribute the movie to their partners as part of the arrangement). The news came at the festival's midpoint, with some buyers and sellers assessing the state of this year's Toronto market.
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TORONTO '06 CRITICS NOTEBOOK: Immigrant Stories and Haitian Violence

On Monday, September 11, the whole world was memorializing the 5th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States. But here in Toronto, specifically at the film festival, discussions centered on other topics: Is Tarsem's "The Fall" a masterpiece or a disaster? What's the deal with the ending of Werner Herzog's "Rescue Dawn"? And where, oh where is the Mark Cuban party?
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