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 September 15, 2008 VAR | Sony takes 'Step' in right direction
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American and Australian rights to James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo's "Every Little Step: The Journey of A Chorus Line," according to Variety. The film debuted last week at the Toronto International Film Festival.  [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | "Still Walking," "Goodbye Solo," "The Wrestler" Tops With TIFF Critics, Bloggers
Hirokazu Kore-Eda's "Still Walking," from Japan, was selected as the best film at the Toronto International Film Festival in a poll of film critics and bloggers conducted this weekend by indieWIRE. The story of a family coming together on the anniversary of a son's passing, the film is Kore-Eda's latest after the acclaimed "Nobody Knows." "Still Walking" edged out Ramin Bahrani's "Goodbye Solo" and Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," two new American films produced and financed independently. More than 30 writers - ranging from AO Scott and Roger Ebert to B Ruby Rich and Karina Longworth, were surveyed. The group singled out "The Wrestler" star Mickey Rourke as the best actor by wide margin, while Agnes Varda's "Les Plages d'Agnes" was chosen as the best documentary at the festival. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ] September 13, 2008 TORONTO '08 | "Slumdog Millionaire" Takes People's Choice, "Hunger, "Lost Song" Among Other Winners
Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" was announced as the Cadillac People's Choice Award for the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival Saturday afternoon in Toronto. First runner-up was Kristopher Belman's "More Than A Game" and the second runner-up was Cyrus Nowrasteh's "The Stoning of Soraya M." Other winners included Rodrigue Jean's "Lost Song" for the City of Toronto-CityTV Award For Best Canadian Feature Film, Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujug Ivalu's "Before Tomorrow" for the CityTV Award For Best Canadian First Feature Film, and Steve McQueen's "Hunger" for the Diesel Discovery Award. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ] iW NEWS | "Slumdog" Wins in Toronto
Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" won the People's Choice Award this afternoon as the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival approaches its conclusion in Canada. The festival's Discovery Award went to Steve McQueen for his first feature, "Hunger," winner of the Camera d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The FIPRESCI critics prize went to Derick Martini's "Lymelife," also in the Discovery section at TIFF. An accompanying story and a full list of winners can be found here. [permalink] [ filed under Festivals, Toronto ] September 12, 2008  TORONTO '08 | Desplechin, Assayas and Madame
Directors Arnaud Desplechin and Olivier Assayas were a part of this year's French at the Toronto International Film Festival. Desplechin's "Un Conte de Noel" (A Christmas Tale), which screened in competition at this year's Festival de Cannes and will screen at the upcoming New York Film Festival stars Catherine Deneuve about a family in the throws of breakdown during Christmas. Assayas' "L'Heure d'ete" (Summer Hours) invokes, what TIFF describes as "ideas of family heritage using a house and a garden as a metaphor for cultural memory..." The two hung out in Toronto together with their U.S. distributor, IFC Films, along with former Unifrance (NY) head Catherine Verret- Vimont earlier this week. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | "Valentino: The Last Emperor" in Toronto
The first screening for "Valentino: The Last Emperor" received a rapturous applause for Italian designer Valentino who attended the screening. Director Matt Tyrnauer (pictured here in Toronto at the Four Seasons Hotel with his friend, the bamboo plant) followed Valentino Garavani and his partner of almost 50 years Giancarlo Giametti over a period of time leading up to Garavani's dazzling 45th anniversary celebration in Rome. During a Q&A at a later screening, Tyrnauer admitted filming was not always easy with the sometimes moody Valentino, and he often scuffles with him during the film when the 70 year-old designer wants the camera to go away. To read more comments from Tyrnauer and Valentino, check out our recent Toronto Dispatch. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | "Adoration" for Blanchard and Bostick
Director Atom Egoyan is a natural darling of the Toronto International Film Festival -- perhaps having some home court advantage can't hurt afterall... This year, he is in TIFF with "Adoration," screening as a Special Presentation. The Sony Pictures Classics release (Stateside) is described by TIFF's co-director Cameron Bailey in the festival catalog as showing Egoyan "grappling with how to live amidst fear and uncertainty," and praises the feature as "among is very best work." Two of the film's stars, Rachel Blanchard and Devon Bostick were a cute red and black contrast at an even hosted by SPC earlier in the fest. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | "Hurt Locker" Explodes, "Zack and Miri," "Lymelife" and "Nowhere" Find Redemption
Thanks to pulse pounding action involving Iraq War soldiers responsible for disarming bombs; a cast of compelling young male leads and a gritty visual style that syncs perfectly with its desert wartime setting - "The Hurt Locker" reintroduces veteran director Kathryn Bigelow to audiences as a filmmaker at the top of her game and offers the first Iraq War movie with strong box office potential. Pairing Mark Boal's (co-writer on "In the Valley of Elah") pitch-perfect script and Bigelow's expertise at crafting action and suspense, "The Hurt Locker" shows strong chances at crossover business, drawing young teens with its action and art-house moviegoers with its likely word-of-mouth, critical acclaim. "Hurt Locker" looks to be one of a handful of films exiting Toronto on a wave of enthusiastic praise and Bigelow's first major release since 2002's "K-19: The Widowmaker." [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ] September 11, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISPATCH | "Paris," "Valentino," "Gigantic" and "Lymelife" Among Toronto Offerings
The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival is winding down. With just two days left before the Closing Night Gala and the announcement of the awards, many industry folk have begun to head out. But there remains much to discuss, as the last few days was obviously marked with a large amount of worthy events. indieWIRE looks over just a handful of them, including the premieres of Adria Petty's "Paris, Not France," Matt Tyrnauer's "Valentino: The Last Emperor," Matt Aselton's "Gigantic," and Derick Martini 's "Lymelife." [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK | "Paris," "Agnes," Rock Stars and "Religulous"; TIFF Docs Go Personal and (Non) Spiritual
If a single lesson emerges from this year's crop of documentaries at the Toronto International Film Festival, it might be this: Who needs Paris Hilton when you have Agnes Varda? Both the overexposed starlet and the French New Wave legend showed up in Canada this week to watch themselves on the big screen, although at least Varda had the audacity to direct herself. Like most of her famous cinephilic colleagues, the playfully existential octogenarian continually churns out unique, startlingly creative movies. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Lead Story, Reviews, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | Powers and Vasarhelyi Celebrate "Youssou Ndour"
TIFF documentary programmer Thom Powers joined director Chai Vasarhelyi at a post-screening bash for her doc "Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love." The film turns the spotlight on one of Africa's most prominent musicians, tenor Youssou Ndour, whose string of internationally popular tracks including collaborations with Peter Gabriel and Neneh Cherry have given him global recognition beyond his native Senegal. His work on poverty and human rights also earned the star a spot in Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | IFC, Blockbuster and the filmmaker
South Korean director Kim Jee-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" screened at the Toronto International Film Festival as a Gala this week. The festival describes it as a re-invention of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" with "a kimchi twist." Also a little trivia: "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" is Korea's biggest-budget film to date and is a big success at home... Anyway, Kim joined his U.S. distributor's chief Jonathan Sehring (middle) and Blockbuster's director of content, Keith Leopard who co-hosted a dinner to fete IFC Films' Toronto line up. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | "Sugar" at the Sony Classics Dinner
Stars of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden's "Sugar" joined other Sony Classics Toronto line up attendees at Michelle's earlier in the festival. Their second feature since "Half Nelson," the film, which debuted earlier this year at Sundance, is the story of a group of baseball players from the Dominican Republic who travel to the U.S. playing in the minor leagues hoping to be catapulted to major league fame and fortune and their personal traumas along the way... [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ] September 10, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISPATCH | Biz Buzz: Celebrating "Che" and Pondering The Marketplace
"This generation's 'Lawrence of Arabia'" is how IFC Films and those involved with Steven Soderbergh's "Che," are talking about the epic film(s) about Argentine-born revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara that IFC acquired here at the Toronto International Film Festival. A unique December release, in time to qualify the film for Oscar consideration, will roll out as an event on both coasts that will likely include public appearances by Soderbergh, lead Benicio Del Toro and others at the Zeigfeld Theater in New York City and also in Los Angeles. "To say we are thrilled...that is an over used word," company president Jonathan Sehring told indieWIRE this afternoon. "Everyone is over the moon." [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Discovery Section Films Aim To Break Through
For certain movies, placement in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival almost seems like a plea. The festival catalogue calls the program "your introduction to gifted and innovative directors who are certain to become household names," but that's assuming those directors actually get discovered. Some of this year's Discovery films have already achieved that hefty goal and found a fair amount of support -- from distributors, at least. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatch, Lead Story, Toronto ] iW NEWS | "Che" Goes to IFC Films
North American rights to Steven Soderbergh's epic "Che" has been acquired by IFC Films. This follows consistent rumors here in Toronto that the film was imminently destined for Magnolia Pictures. "Che" will be released for a one week awards qualifying run in New York and Los Angeles in December, and IFC will then re-open the film in January through IFC In Theaters, its day-and-date distribution platform. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where Benicio Del Toro won the Best Actor Prize. It is currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be screening next at the upcoming New York Film Festival. IFC president Jonathan Sehring, V.P. of acquisitions and production Arianna Bocco and senior counsel Betsy Rodgers negotiated the deal with Wild Bunch's Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Laurent Baudens and Pierre Selinger. "Che" is told in two stand alone parts with the first part concentrating on the Cuban revolution and the second part focusing on the revolutionary's failed uprising in Bolivia in the '60s. "Steven's been involved with IFC as a member of the advisory board of both the IFC Network and the IFC Center since we formed them," commented Sehring in a statement. "'Che' is nothing less than the film event of the year. By giving us the rise and fall of one of the great icons of history, Steven Soderbergh and Benicio Del Toro, who gives an incredible soulful performance, have humanized him and given audiences around the world something that will be discussed for years to come." [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | Bailey and Bourdos at Unifrance
Unifrance hosted their annual lunch spotlighting French film at the Toronto International Film Festivalthis week, which always brings out a large cross-section of French and non-Gaul. TIFF's new co-director Cameron Bailey (right) joined in on the fun along with director Gilles Bourdos whose film "Afterwards" (TIFF Vanguard section) is described by the fest as a "stylish thriller," starring John Malkovich. And in the middle is Marc Missionnier of Fidelite Films, producer of "Afterwards" and "Kabuli Kid" (directed by Barmak Akram, Discovery section). [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Rush and McKay and "Orson"
Actors Geoffrey Rush and Christian McKay having a bit of a chat at the party for Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles" at a party early-on during the Toronto International Film Festival. In his critics notebook earlier in the festival, iW's Anthony Kaufman said "Me and Orson Welles" "paints a portrait of New York 1937 in broad strokes, brilliant flourishes and a boyish, buoyant outlook." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ] September 9, 2008 TORONTO '08 | "Flammen & Citronen" at the Sutton
Danish director Ole Christian Madsen (green jacket) and actor Thure Lindhardt were in between engagements hanging out in the lobby at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto, which is an HQ of sorts for the festival. Their film, "Flame & Citron" (Flammen & Citronen) screening in TIFF's Contemporary World Cinema section, is described by the festival as a "sprawling WWII epic about the Danish resistance against Nazi occupation. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Veteran Actors Burstyn and Landau
Oscar-winning actors Ellen Burstyn and Martin Landau are all smiles on Sunday afternoon following an industry screening of their new film, "Lovely, Still." Directed by Nik Fackler, "Lovely, Still" tells the sweet story of a romance between a lonely elderly man and his neighbor while also hinting that something is amiss in the 24 year-old's directorial debut. indieWIRE offers more on the people behind the film here. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Anne, Jonathan and Jenny All Smiles
Anne Hathaway, Jonathan Demme and Jenny Lumet were just having a good old time at the Sony Pictures Classics dinner over the weekend, flashing their pearly whites. The trio were in Toronto for the gala premiere of their film, "Rachel Getting Married," which the TIFF catalog describes as capturing "the considerable highs and crushing lows of a complicated American family." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | "Medicine" at the IFC Dinner
IFC's "Medicine for Melancholy" crew were just one of the film's representing at Monday night's dinner hosted by the distributor and Blockbuster. The feature, screening in TIFF's Discovery section, is a favorite among the film's we've seen at the festival. The story goes beyond the walk of shame and takes a one night stand further into a 24-hour fling between two people living in San Francisco. Along the way, the city's character, race and political issues interweave themselves as the duo indulge in each other's company... Check it out! Posing are director Barry Jenkins, actress Tracey Heggins and producer Justin Barber. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | "Gigantic" Breaks Out; "Pedro" Does Justice To Activist; Auds Dig "Every Little Step"
Nobody in the Toronto International Film Festival audience at the Monday evening premiere of "Gigantic," a lovely, funny, unabashedly odd romance from first-time feature filmmaker Matt Aselton, mentioned the name Wes Anderson in the post-screening question-and-answer sessions. But they would have been correct to reference the director of critical hits "The Darjeeling Limited," "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Rushmore" and I imagine that Aselton would have relished the comparison. [ read more in Movies ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatch, Lead Story, Toronto ] September 8, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISPATCH | Sunday Night at TIFF: An indieWIRE Diary
Sunday was a busy night in Toronto. Well over a dozen items were on indieWIRE's list of possible events to cover and we were unsure how to negotiate it. At the last minute, we decided that it might be "fun" to have me attempt to attend every single one. While that certainly didn't end up being the case, I came pretty close, and the following is a play-by-play of the effort. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ] iW NEWS | Searchlight Sets '08 Date for "The Wrestler"
Fox Searchight will go with a December release date for Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," which the studio speciality division acquired earlier today. Written by Robert Siegel, the film was produced by Scott Franklin and Aronofsky thru Protozoa Pictures. Searchlight's Tony Safford and Megan O'Brien brokered the deal with CAA. Get the latest here at indieWIRE on the Searchlight Deal and read iW's critics notebook. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ] TORONTO '08 | Day Five Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Toronto 2008 news around the world.
TIFFG CEO Is Not Too Happy...
TIFF Goers Turn a Blind Eye to 'Blindness'
Who Does TIFF Cater To?
Hathaway Loves the Abuse
Gift This
Get the latest from the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. iW NEWS | Searchlight Gets "The Wrestler"
Fox Seachlight made a swift deal for Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" here at the Toronto International Film Festival, according to an individual close to the deal, nabbing the film after sleepless negotiations that concluded late this morning in Canada. On stage at the Elgin Theater last night for the North American premiere, Aronofsky thanked film financier Wild Bunch and, with an array of buyers in the crowded theater, teased that that he had no one to thank locally since there is "no North American distributor to thank...too bad!" The film gained momentum in recent days at the Venice Film Festival, after generating rave reviews for Mickey Rourke's performance and winning the Golden Lion on Saturday at the festival. "You're in for a treat," Toronto International Film Festival co-director Cameron Bailey told the full house crowd prior to Sunday's showing. "You'll be hearing and talking about this film for a long time." "The Wrestler" will close the New York Film Festival next month. Anthony Kaufman writes about the film in today's notebook from the festival. [Eugene Hernandez (Jenny Sung contributed to this report)] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Death Defying Acts: Strong Returns for Aronofsky, Bahrani, and Ustaoglu; "Kisses" Hits
On Sunday night, hours after winning the top prize at Venice, Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" premiered for North American audiences here in Toronto, riding a wave of positive buzz and critical approbation. But standing in front of a revved up crowd at the majestic, cavernous Elgin Theater, director Aronofsky wisely tried to tamp down the hype, jokingly calling the film "crap"; more seriously, he told the crowd, "This is a gentle, small film." [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatch, Lead Story, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | Kevin Smith and Friends Celebrate "Porno"
Producer Scott Mosier, actor Jason Mewes, Director Kevin Smith, and real life porn star and actress Katie Morgan celebrate at a lovely dinner at Trevor Kitchen and Bar before the Toronto premiere of their new film, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." The raunchy film follows two childhood friends (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) as they try to make a porno that they can sell on the internet. The film has already generated controversy with the original poster being banned by the MPAA. (You can see the full poster here.) [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Wong, Hamer, Bernard After Dinner
OK, a secret... You heard it here first... An iW insider happened to see Wong Kar-wai take off his glasses so he could read the menu at Sunday night's Sony Pictures Classics dinner. While nobody dared take a pic, we did manage this nice one with SPC co-prez Tom Bernard and director Bent Hamer who is attending this year's TIFF with his Contemporary World Cinema feature, "O' Horten." Wong is in Toronto with "Ashes of Time Redux." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ] September 7, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISPATCH | "Lovely, Still", "Heaven on Earth," "Religulous," and "The Hunger" Cap A Busy TIFF Weekend
Sunday capped a typically busy first weekend at the Toronto International Film Festival. While audiences and industry anticipated the North American premiere of Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," other films in the spotlight included Nik Fackler's "Lovely, Still", Deepa Mehta's "Heaven on Earth," Larry Charles and Bill Maher's "Religulous," and Steve McQueen's "The Hunger." [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ] iW NEWS | Celluloid Dreams Gets "Soul"
Documentary coverage sponsored by SnagFilms. Celluloid Dreams has snapped up all international rights Jeffrey Levy-Hinte's documentary "Soul Power." Submarine Entertainment is repping the film and negotiated the deal with Celluloid at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film documents the 12-hour, three-night long concert held in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974 that featured BB King and James Brown, among others. "We are delighted to represent this crowd pleasing document of an extraordinary moment in musical history," said Celluloid Dreams' Hengameh Panahi in a statement. Celluloid noted that they already has offers in major territories and is expecting to close deals later this week. [Peter Knegt][permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Documentary, Toronto ]  TORONTO 08 | Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White Get Loud
Musicians Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes) offer up their tremendous contribution to the world of the electric guitar in Davis Guggenheim's new documentary, "It Might Get Loud," which takes a look at the creative process behind the pop music created by the three ground-breaking guitarists. Guggenheim struck a different note with his audiences with his last film, the Oscar Award winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | "Rachel Getting Married" in Toronto
A noticeably nervous Jonathan Demme took the stage at Toronto's Roy Thompson Hall for the Gala screening of his "Rachel Getting Married." Demme was joined on stage by a group of women, including screenwriter Jenny Lumet and actresses Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt and Debra Winger. Demme introduced everyone by their home state, and saved Winger for last, who he introduced by announcing, "That's right, she's in my movie!" The film received a standing ovation, and Demme was later seen celebrating at the afterparty at the Brant House (pictured). With Demme is DeWitt and Sony Pictures Classics Co-Presidents Michael Barker (left) and Tom Bernard. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ] iW NEWS | Visit Films Licenses Five To Australia
Visit Films has concluded a number of deals in the opening days of the Toronto International Film Festival. Beyond Entertainment in Australia has licensed five titles including "Hannah Takes The Stairs," "LOL," and "Kissing on The Mouth" from director Joe Swanberg and "Dance Party USA" and "Quiet City" from director Aaron Katz. "With deals like this, it is clear that the themes of these films resonate with an international audience and that the filmmakers are beginning to break through en masse," said Visit Films partner Ryan Kampe in a statement. "Joe and Aaron along with the Duplass brothers are some of the pioneers and most creative filmmakers in the current age of digital filmmaking." The deal was negotiated between Kampe and Simone Ubaldi of Beyond. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Veteran Filmmakers Stand Out With "Last Stop" While Newcomers Deliver "Power" and "Deadgirl"
British director Nigel Cole, best known for the popular art-house comedies "Saving Grace" and "Calendar Girls," introduced his latest film, the father/son road drama "$5 A Day," by explaining to the Toronto International Film Festival audiences at its Saturday night premiere its qualifications as a classic independent feature. Cole, also a veteran of television sitcoms and nature documentaries, emphasized the film's low budget, short shooting schedule and salary sacrifices made by the cast and crew. More importantly, he singled out his lead actor, Christopher Walken, a marquee name of independent features and the standout feature of Cole's by-the-numbers; surprisingly unfunny film. [ read more in Movies ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatch, Lead Story, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | Youssou Ndour in Toronto
Mega African tenor Youssou Ndour probably played one of the smallest venues he's done in years Saturday night in Toronto following the debut of "Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love" by Chai Vasarhelyi. Ndour hung out with friends, fans and family including [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Maher's Protest
Protestors punctuated last night's premiere of Larry Charles and Bill Maher's "Religulous," which is set to open soon from Lions Gate. But were they hired by Maher or someone involved with the film? A Google search for the apparent organization - Canadian Coalition for Organized Religion -- yielded no results. Asked -- during a post-screening press Q & A session -- whether he staged the protest, Maher (pictured, right) responded, "It wouldn't have been so lame if I'd hired them." He also had some choice words (via Screen Rush) for new Republican VP pick Sarah Palin, saying, "You just look at this woman and she gets knocked up. Doesn't anyone in this Republican Party know how to pull out?" [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ] September 6, 2008 TORONTO '08 | Cera and Denning Play Nick and Norah
Kat Denning and Michael Cera strike a pose at Toronto for their new film, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," which indieWIRE blogger Eric Kohn calls "an irresistibly cute, disarmingly smart depiction of a couple disaffected teens hanging out in NYC over the course of a single, booze-fueled night." "Nick and Norah" is Director Peter Sollett's followup to his 2002 indie hit, "Raising Victor Vargas," another film that explored NYC teenage romance and launched the careers of Victor Rasuk and Melonie Diaz. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Rick and Zac and "Welles"
Director Richard Linklater and actor Zac Efron held court at their party for "Me and Orson Welles," screening as a Special Presentation in Toronto. The party was surprisingly low key considering the "High School Musical" star as well as co-star Claire Danes were around at the "Hollywood House" venue. In today's Critics Notebook, Anthony Kaufman described "Welles" "a portrait of New York 1937 in broad strokes, brilliant flourishes and a boyish, buoyant outlook." Our favorite part of the quick photo was Linklater "schooling" Efron on what iW is... [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | SXSW in Toronto
SXSW founder Louis Black and its new producer Janet Pierson were among the party goers at the soiree for Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles" in Toronto Friday night. The party at "Hollywood House" had quite a who's who there with Disney powerhouse Zac Efron and Claire Danes were among the "Orson" stars hanging at the party. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 CRITICS NOTEBOOK | Intimate Moments with Denis, Kore-eda and Kim; and Linklater Channels "Orson Welles"
Not only can few Toronto attendees pronounce the name of this year's opening night film "Passchendaele," a Canadian WWI epic, but few among us have actually seen it. So much for a rousing start. Rather than major big-budget works (although the Coen brothers' "Burn After Reading," by most accounts, is an adequate romp), it's the festival's quieter, more intimate films that demand the most attention. On the first official day of screenings, for example, Claire Denis' latest "35 Rhums" ("35 Shots"), fresh from Venice, drew a packed press screening in the mid-afternoon. When Denis, the French maverick of "Chocolat" and "Beau Travail" fame, delivers the buzz picture of the moment, it gives heart to the endurance of art-house cinema, which, of late, has taken a beating in the industry press. [ read more in Movies ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatch, Lead Story, Toronto ] September 5, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISPATCH | Canadians Kick Off Fest; Venice - Telluride Stoke Pre-TIFF Buzz; and Discoveries
The local news here wondered during their early evening broadcasts if it would rain on the party Thursday night, but in the end, the Toronto International Film Festival's opening night went off with only a minimum amount of precipitation. The 33rd edition of the festival, which many consider the world's second most important, maintained tradition by launching with a Canadian film. Paul Gross' "Passchendaele," one of the country's largest productions ever. And the film received all the usual fanfare, including gawkers, press, fans and the usual trappings of an opening night gala. Canada's armed forces also turned out in the film's honor with a nod to the film's storyline complete with tanks and uniformed soldiers flanking the red carpet at the post-screening bash. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | Eating and Drinking Up the Opening Night Extravaganza
Hundreds of guests came out once again for the Toronto International Film Festival's opening night party to fete Paul Gross' "Passchendaele." If the popcorn didn't cut the mustard during the screening, there was plenty of food to be had at the party -- from meatloaf to spring rolls. And of course plenty of libation for those doing a liquid dinner. Taking part in all the festivities, German Films' Oliver Mahrdt, the Florida Film Festival's Matthew Curtis and Shannon Larimer and Nancy Collet from the Middle East Film Festival. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ]  TORONTO '08 | Short Filmmakers Celebrate
Hanging out at the Bravo!FACT(Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) brunch honouring the directors of all the short films screening at this year's Toronto International Film Festival are "The Workout" director Sami Khan and writer Christian Magalhaes. The film is playing in the Short Cuts Canada program. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Toronto, Toronto: On The Scene ] TORONTO '08 | Day Two Roundup
TORONTO '08 | Day Two Roundup indieWIRE offers a snapshot of Toronto '08 news from around the world.
You Won't Have to Wrestle Through This
"Che" Finds a U.S. Home?
Toronto Readies For "Rachel," "Wrestler"
Lots of Pre-Fest Buys in Toronto
Canadian Government Skips TIFF Speech
Real-time mobile reports from TIFF
More coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.
iW NEWS | Image Entertainment Takes "$5 a Day"
Image Entertainment announced today at the Toronto International Film Festival that it has acquired from all North American rights (except theatrical) to the comedy "$5 a Day" from Capitol Films, Ltd. The film stars Amanda Peet, Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken and Alessandro Nivola, and will screen in Toronto on Sept. 6, 7 and 12. "This film is certain to be an audience-pleaser with it all-star cast and funny storyline," said Bill Bromiley, Chief Acquisitions Officer of Image Entertainment, in a statement. "Amanda Peet, Sharon Stone and Christopher Walken are all hilarious in this tale of a crazy father and his not-so-crazy son." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 | Eating, Drinking, and Shopping in Toronto: An indieWIRE Insiders Guide
Tens of thousands of people are about to converge upon Canada's largest city 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. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Festival Dispatches, Lead Story, Toronto ] September 4, 2008iW NEWS | Merilees Takes CFTPA Award at TIFF
The Canadian Film and Television Production Association announced that Rob Merilees is the recipient of the third annual CFTPA Producer's Award. The Award was presented at the 5th Elementt Restaurant at the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival earlier today. Merilees produced TIFF's Closing Night Gala film, "Stone of Destiny." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Honors, Toronto ] iW NEWS | "Of Time and City" For Strand
Strand Releasing has acquired all US rights to Terence Davies' "Of Time and City" from Hurricane Films in the UK. The deal was done via sales agent Hanway Films. The film is a "poetic ode to Liverpool" which is constructed with archival footage and narrated by Davies himself. It had its World Premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival and has its North American Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this Sunday. "We're thrilled to be working with Terence again, his loveletter to Liverpool is a true artistic inspiration to filmmaking," said Marcus Hu, Co-President of Strand Releasing, in a statement. The deal was concluded by Strand Releasing's Jon Gerrans and Hanway's Thorsten Schumacher. Strand Releasing is planning for a January 2009 release. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ] iW NEWS | Cinema Guild Takes "24 City"
The Cinema Guild announced today at the Toronto International Film Festival the acquisition of U.S. distribution rights to Jia Zhangke's "24 City," which documents the conversion of an old munitions factory into a sprawling complex of luxury high-rise apartments. The deal was negotiated by Ryan Krivoshey, Director of Distribution for The Cinema Guild with Matthieu Giblin of MK2. "24 City" will receive its North American premiere on Sunday, September 7, 2008 in Toronto and will screen later this month as part of the New York Film Festival. It will open theatrically in early 2009. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "Daytime Drinking" Director Young-seok Noh
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Young-seok Noh's "Daytime Drinking" is having its North American Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. The South Korean production follows Hyuk-jin, who after a drunken attempt to heal a broken heart, decides to take a trip with his friends to small town of Jeongseon in the Gangwon province. But, as TIFF describes, "as the only one to actually make it on the bus, Hyuk-jin embarks on a strange journey that finds him in the middle of a snowy highway without his mobile phone, wallet or pants." indieWIRE spoke to "Drinking"'s director about the film and its screening in Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "Hooked" Director Adrian Sitaru
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Adrian Sitaru's "Hooked" is having its North American Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. The Romania-France co-production is described by TIFF: "A Sunday picnic seemed like the best way for Mihai and Sweetie to spend some quality time together and take their relationship to a new level. But a series of odd and unexpected events quickly turn this idyllic weekend getaway into the strangest day of their lives." indieWIRE talked to Sitaru about the film and its screening in Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ] TORONTO '08 | Day One Roundup
TORONTO '08 | Day One Roundup indieWIRE offers a snapshot of Toronto '08 news from around the world.
Toronto Film Festival Opens Amid Cautious Industry Climate
Toronto looks to lure the buy-curious
Award Hopefuls Road Test in Toronto
A Nostalgia for New York, by Way of the Toronto Film Festival
The Film Paris Hilton Doesn't Want You To See
More coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.
September 3, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "Vacation" Director Hajime Kadoi
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Hajime Kadoi's "Vacation" is having its International Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows Hirai, a middle-aged prison guard, who follows an alienated work routine attending to Kaneda, a death row inmate. When Kaneda's execution is ordered, Hirai has an opportunity for a vacation. But as TIFF describes, "there is a price to pay for this well-deserved break, as Hirai must assist Kaneda during his final moments." indieWIRE talked to Kadoi about the film and its screening in Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ]  iW SNEAK PEEK - Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Screening at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, Mike Leigh's new film, "Happy-Go-Lucky" is the story of a persistently chipper and friendly school teacher (Sally Hawkins) and her unexpected search for love. You can also read indieWIRE's coverage of the film's premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. [This exclusive scene is courtesy of Miramax Films, which will be releasing "Happy-Go-Lucky" later this year.] [ filed under Film Festivals, Sneak Peek, Toronto ] September 2, 2008 TORONTO '08 | Assessing the Business Landscape as TIFF Gets Underway this Week
Myths die hard in the film business. But the fairytale that says an independent movie goes into a film festival, sparks a bidding war and gets sold for millions and millions of dollars is fading fast. The dream may hold true for some rare exceptions (Sundance '08: "Hamlet 2"). But with several buyers out of the picture (from Netflix's Red Envelope to Warner Independent Pictures) and a cooling sales environment over the last year, filmmakers and backers are thinking about new ways to deliver their labors-of-love to audiences as they head into this year's Toronto International Film Festival. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Lead Story, Toronto, Trends ]  TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "Cold Lunch" Director Eva Sorhaug
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Having its International Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival, Eva Sorhaug's "Cold Lunch" follows the paths of five characters who intersect in the Oslo district of Majorstua. TIFF describes that after one character, Christer, "disconnects a main fuse in his building in an attempt to save the rent money he mistakenly placed into the laundry, he sets off a chain reaction of consequential events that will change the lives of a caretaker and his daughter, and a new mother and her child." Sorhaug spoke to indieWIRE about "Cold Lunch," and her hopes for Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ] iW NEWS | TIFF Announces Free Screening of People's Choice
The Toronto International Film Festival has announced a new addition to the screening schedule. The Cadillac People's Choice Award winner will now screen for free on the closing night of the festival. "This is a gift back to the city of Toronto ," said Festival Co-Director, Cameron Bailey in a statement. "It's a big thank you to our audiences for their ongoing support and commitment to our Festival, which has made it one of the best in the world." The winner will be announced on the afternoon of September 13, with the screening occurring that night at the Visa Screening Room at the Elgin Theatre. Previous winners include "Eastern Promises," "Bella," "Tsotsi" and "Hotel Rwanda." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "Rain" Director Maria Govan
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Bahamian director Maria Govan's "Rain" will be having its World Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows the titular character as she leaves her rural, sheltered life in search of the mother that abandoned her. Heading to Nassau, her dream is "quickly shattered," as TIFF describes, "when she meets Glory, a scarred, angry woman who bears no resemblance to the mother she had hoped for." Govan talked to indieWIRE about "Rain," and her aspirations for Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ] September 1, 2008 TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "Zift" Director Javor Gardev
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Javor Gardev's "Zift" will be having its World Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows "The Moth" (Zahary Baharov), a man freed on parole after spending time in a prison on a wrongful murder conviction. TIFF describes his first night out of jail as one in which he "draws the map of a diabolical city full of decaying neighbourhoods, gloomy streets and a bizarre parade of characters." indieWIRE spoke to Gardev about the film and its screening at Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ]  TORONTO '08 DISCOVERY INTERVIEW | "The Stoning of Soraya M" Director Cyrus Nowrasteh
EDITORS NOTE: For the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, indieWIRE will be publishing interviews with filmmakers in the Discovery section of the festival, which TIFF describes as a showcase for new and emerging filmmakers from contemporary international cinema. Cyrus Nowrasteh's "The Stoning of Soraya M." will be having its World Premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. Starring Shohreh Aghdashloo, the film follows a woman falsely accused of adultery in a remote Iranian village. Based on the book by Freidoune Sahebjam, TIFF describes "Stoning" as about "voiceless women, armed with only their innocence and dignity, [who] are no match for the overwhelming primal forces that overrun their town." Nowrasteh talked to indieWIRE about the film and his hopes for Toronto. [ read more in People ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Interviews, Toronto ] August 28, 2008iW NEWS | Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" Set for Searchlight/Warner Bros.
Fox Searchlight and Warner Bros. are partnering on Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire," the companies announced today. Searchlight is set to handle the marketing and distribution of the film, written by Simon Beaufoy and starring Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan. It is based on the best selling novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Set to have its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, the movie will open on November 28th. Variety speculated today that the film will sneak this weekend in Telluride, but Searchlight declined to comment this afternoon. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ] iW NEWS | Finalists Selected For CFTPA Prize
The shortlist for the 3rd Annual CFTPA Feature Film Producer's Award were announced by last year's recipient and this year's jury chair, Niv Finhman. The award honors Canadian producers with work screening at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. This year's nominees are Dean English ("Edison and Leo"), Jennifer Jonas ("Toronto Stories"), Barbara Shrier ("Un ete sans point ni coup sur"), Rob Merilees ("Stone of Destiny") and David Hamilton ("Heaven on Earth"). The winner receives a cheque for $10,000 at a special reception to mark the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4th. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Honors, Toronto ] |
