Oh Canada: Guy Maddin and Jean-Marc Vallée Lead Toronto Film Fest’s Canuck Lineup
The Toronto International Film Festival has announced the 25 feature films and 43 shorts that will make up the bulk of its Canadian programming. In addition to previously announced films by Canadian icons David Cronenberg and Sarah Polley, the lineup includes new works from Carl Bessai, Mike Clattenburg, Mike Dowse, Philippe Falardeau, Guy Maddin, Bruce McDonald, Léa Pool, Jean-Marc Vallée, Ingrid Veninger, and Mary Harron.
For a complete list of all films announced for Toronto so far, including films in all these programs, click here.
“This year saw many Canadian filmmakers address a wide range of pressing social issues including the dangers of progress; the possibility of privacy and identity in a hi-tech, increasingly alienated world; teenage gambling; the difficulties of maintaining a traditional rural life; life during and after wartime (past and present); lovelorn gangsters and, of course, vampires in an all-girls school,” Steve Gravestock, Associate Director, Canadian Programming, said in statement. “This year’s Canadian slate boasts veteran directors working at their peak and numerous homegrown stars returning to work in Canada, not only in front of the screen but behind it as well. Especially encouraging is the emergence of new voices from across the country.”
Perhaps most notably, “C.R.A.Z.Y.” and “The Young Victoria” director Jean-Marc Vallée will have the North American premiere of his “Café de Flore,” Carl Bessai’s “Sisters&Brothers” will world premiere in the Special Presentations program, Canadian-Irish co-production “The Moth Diaries” will have its first screening out of Venice, Léa Pool’s doc “Pink Ribbons, Inc” will have its first festival screening, and Guy Maddin will world premiere his “Keyhole,” starring Jason Patric and Isabella Rossellini.
The festival also announced seven features as part of its “Canada First!” program, which celebrates “new and provocative Canadian auteurs.” Comprised of three world premieres, the 2011 roster opens in the Québec Eastern Townships with Guy Édoin’s “Wetlands,” which stars Pascale Bussières, Luc Picard, François Papineau and Gabriel Maillé.
For a complete list of all films announced for Toronto so far, including films in all these programs, click here.
