Wednesday, July 25, 2012

2012 Toronto International Film Festival: Preview


Yesterday, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), announced the line-ups for their Galas and Special Presentations programmes for the upcoming 37th edition of the festival.

Among the 60 films announced are a stunning 38 world premieres, including the latest from Rian Johnson, Terrence Malick, and Derek Cianfrance.

I've decided to take a brief look at the 10 foreign language titles that will have their world premieres in Toronto, from Sept 6-16.

Read on for a preview of the foreign films that will be premiering at this year's TIFF:
Gala and Special Presentation Films
English Vinglish
directed by Gauri Shinde
India India
Legendary Indian actress Sridevi returns to the screen after a fifteen-year absence in this funny and touching story about an Indian woman who struggles to learn the English language in order to help provide for her family. A multilingual movie shot in 4 languages: English, Hindi, Telugu & Tamil.
Twice Born (Venuto al mondo)
directed by Sergio Castelitto
Italy Italy, Spain Spain, Croatia Croatia
From Italian actor-director Sergio Castellitto. A single mother brings her teenage son to Sarajevo, where his father died in the Bosnian conflict years ago. Starring Penélope Cruz and Emile Hirsch.
The Attack
directed by Ziad Doueiri
France France
Lebanese born filmmaker Ziad Doueiri who first came to notice as a focus puller for Quentin Tarantino, tells the story of an Arab surgeon living in Tel Aviv discovers a dark secret about his wife in the aftermath of a suicide bombing. Based on an international best-selling novel by Yasmina Khadra.
Capital (Le capital)
directed by Costas-Gavras
France France
Legendary director Costa-Gavras returns with an international drama following the head of a giant European investment bank desperately clinging to power when an American hedge fund company tries to buy them out. Starring Gabriel Byrne and Gad Elmaleh.
The Deep (Djúpið)
directed by Baltasar Kormákur
Iceland Iceland, Norway Norway
Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur, brings an astonishing survival story based on true incident that took place on the frigid seas off Iceland in 1984. Starring Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.
Dreams for Sale (夢売るふたり )
directed by Nishikawa Miwa
Japan Japan
From acclaimed Japanese writer-director Nishikawa Miwa. A married couple turn to crime when they find themselves in a dire financial situation after they lose their restaurant in a fire. Starring Takako Matsu and Sadao Abe.
Hannah Arendt
directed by  Margarethe von Trotta
Germany Germany
70-year-old German filmmaker Margarethe von Trotta takes a look at the life of philosopher and political theorist Hannah Arendt, who reported for The New Yorker on the war crimes trial of the Nazi Adolf Eichmann. Starring German screen legend Barbara Sukowa.
In the House (Dans la maison)
directed by François Ozon
France France
The always unpredictable French director François Ozon's latest, about a high-school teacher and his student whose essays about a friend's family begin to blur the lines between reality and fiction. Starring Fabrice Luchini, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emmanuelle Seigner.
The Last Supper (王的盛宴)
directed by Lu Chuan
China China
Probably my most anticipated title of the entire festival. Chinese auteur Lu Chuan's stunning historical epic, set during the fall of the Qin Dynasty. It was banned by the censors in China just before its scheduled premiere last month. Their loss is Toronto's gain. Starring Ye Liu, Daniel Wu, and Chen Chang.
Zaytoun
directed by Eran Riklis
Israel Israel, UK UK
From Israeli director Eran Riklis, the story of an Israeli fighter pilot shot down over Lebanon who must make his way across the war-torn country with the aid of an angry young Palestinian boy. Starring Stephen Dorff and Ashraf Barhom.

Let me know what you think of this year's TIFF lineup?

21 comments:

Stevee said...

Man, I wish I could be in Toronto for this. So many great films! Also, great round up on the films that I haven't heard of - they all look very interesting!

365 moviesandsongs365 said...

I have not heard of any of the foreign films on your list, thanks for bringing them to my attention.From the full list, looking forward to:


To the Wonder - Terrence Malick The adaptation of Rushdie's award winning novel Midnight's Children

Michaël Parent said...

I like that your coverages of the Festivals brings light onto those films that never really earn much attention except when nominated for Awards!
Btw, the films all look very good! Dreams For Sale looks stunning!

d_4 said...

See, based on plot alone? Most of these don't really catch my attention. All the same if I had the chance to see most of them, I'd probably remember a few titles and go watch anyway.

Steven Flores said...

This year's looks like it'll be one hell of a festival. I really wish I could go if I had some money but current mental health is also going to prevent me from going as I don't think I'll be OK enough to travel.

Lisa Thatcher said...

WOAH!!!! Hannah Arendt!!! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!! What a brilliant line up but that von Trotta documentary looks amazing. I didn't even know that film was being made. How exciting!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I know. It's shaping up to be an epic fest.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I agree, Midnight's Children does sound very interesting.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Exactly, most of these won't ever get coverage unless they get awards buzz, but I like to keep an eye on what's going on under the radar.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah it's hard to drum up excitement in a sentence or two, and most don't have trailers up yet. But at least now you are subconsciously aware of the titles.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Sorry to hear that man. Have you gone to TIFF in the past?

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Haha you're probably the only one of my readers who is excited about that film. I think it's more of a biopic than documentary, but it does look very intriguing.

Murtaza Ali said...

Well, sounds really great... some great names and potentially great movies. I just can't wait for their official release. Also, I was not aware that Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish starring Sri Devi is also getting screened. Thanks for bringing it up. Btw, are you planning to attend the film festival?

Bonjour Tristesse said...

No, I can't afford to make the trip. Will have to wait and hope for the films to come to Vancouver.

Diana said...

There are so many great films at this year's TIFF, but I always say there are too many screenings during this festival- last year I think they were like 1000....it's too big! But....the line-up, especially the NorthAmerican one, is amazing!

Steven Flores said...

Nope. Often because of financial reasons has prevented me from going and I don't even live in Toronto.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Me either for the same reasons.

CastorTroy said...

Three Words: To The Wonder. That's all I care about, seriously ;)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah it is a massive festival, its impossible to keep track of everything going on there, but it's a great indicator of public response to those films released at the exclusive festivals that only critics have seen.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I hope it holds up to all of our expectations.

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