We follow up on our first list of 13 must watch films with another 13 films that you should consider watching at TIFF 2013. Our must watch lists are compiled together by looking at what each film brings to the table and the track record of both the actors and the creative team within the film. We look beyond the hype and to what sort of film going experience these films are likely to deliver.
1. Kill Your Darlings
An indie film by director John Krokidas, Kill Your Darlings puts the Beat Generation under the microscope, putting the 1944 murder of David Kammerer in the spotlight. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg, a young poet who falls under the charismatic spell of Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan), the one who took responsibility of the murder of David Kammerer, a friend of William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster). Krokidas brings together an extremely talented cast to put into perspective an important movement within the arts and writing.
2. American Dreams in China
A new work by Director Peter Ho-sun Chan, American Dreams in China is the story of three friends who go about creating a successful online English instruction school for Chinese students, only to find the world crashing down upon them when they face lawsuits. The beauty of Chinese films is their ability to be relevant even in the northern hemisphere. In the day and age of start-ups and ideas, this film is bound to relate to the evident or hidden entrepreneur within us all, putting into perspective the human ambition and drive to succeed.
3. Philomena
Two of the most recognizable people in film and television are Steve Coogan and Judi Dench, and they come together in this new film by Stephen Frears – who directed The Queen – to present the story of an unmarried Irish-Catholic woman who embarks on a journey with a BBC reporter to find her son, whom she was forced to give up by her community. Dench is no stranger to powerful roles and this is likely going to be one of her top performances out there. This is, hands down, one film you must watch during TIFF 2013.
4. Third Person
Paul Haggis is back with an ensemble cast in the Third Person. Starring everyone from Liam Neeson to Olivia Wilde, this film takes three independent relationships in three cities – New York, Rome and Paris – and carefully weaves together and presents connections between the three as the film unwinds. Haggis is a master of narrative and if Crash is any indicator, he has the capability of creating a film that can leave an affect on both mind and heart. Plus, audiences have the luxury of seeing veteran actors such as Liam Neeson, Adrien Brody and James Franco present what will likely be, great characters.
5. Dallas Buyers Club
Cameron Bailey himself is excited about Dallas Buyers Club and the performance given by Matthew McConaughey. We have seen an exciting change in McConaughey and his performances, with MUD being the highlight of the year. In this new film, starring opposite Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto, McConaughey brings to life the story of Ron Woodroof, a man who didn’t believe in the idea that he was dying during to AIDS. If his last few performances are any indicator, McConaughey’s performance in the Dallas Buyers Club is bound to be a treat for anyone catching the film.
6. The Wind Rises
Hayao Miyazaki. A name that is all a-buzz at TIFF 2013. The Wind Rises is the latest animation film by veteran legend Hayao Miyazaki and is one of the most anticipated films at TIFF 2013 by a variety of audiences. The beauty of the film is the animation that folks at Studio Ghibli are to produce on screen. Cameron Bailey himself spoke to us and said that his visit to Tokyo was, if anything, to secure this film for TIFF 2013. I, frankly, don’t need to say anything more.
7. Visitors
This is likely to be one of the most unique experiences during TIFF 2013. Visitors, a new film in over a decade by Godfrey Reggio, will screen with a live accompaniment from sixty-six members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, performing Philip Glass’s score in front of the composer. The screening will also be introduced by Steven Soderbergh. This black and white, high-resolution film digs deep into humanity, look at ourselves from a perspective of a visitor. The whole experience is nothing any filmgoer has likely experienced and it will surely be a memorable one for who ever catches the single screening that the film festival is showing.
8. Qissa
Irrfan Khan is someone we put into perspective when we listed The Lunchbox in our Part 1 list. Qissa is yet another film starring Khan that is being showcased during the festival. During the chaos of the partition of 1947, Qissa puts into perspective a proud Sikh man who is attempting reforge a new life while keeping all their identities a secret. The Lunchbox is a subtle role played by Khan while Qissa is likely to be more intense, dramatic and riveting in every way. Looking back at some of the dramatic roles Khan has played, this is bound to be a film experience you are never going to forget.
9. Under the Skin
Scarlett Johansson is getting a lot of buzz for her role in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon. The fact of the matter is, her film Under the Skin, by Jonathan Glazer (Birth, Sexy Beast) is as much on the radar. Set in Scotland, the film speaks about an alien in human form who journey’s through Scotland to help understand things better. Johansson has been caught up in the hype of the Marvel franchise for quite some time and seeing her in another role, especially within an independent film, will be quite a refreshing experience.
10. Belle
If you missed this film in your selection list, you could perhaps be forgiven. It’s gone off the radar of many people. The talented Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars opposite veteran actors such as Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson and our very own Sarah Gadon to present the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate bi-racial daugher of a Royal Navy admiral in the 18th century. This film by Amma Asante puts into perspective racial discrimination, the confusion between being a part of an aristocratic family but still being treated like dirt and most of all, understanding the fine line of being ranked in humanity. This is definitely going to be an interesting film experience.
11. Devil’s Knot
Atom Egoyan has established on thing perfectly well: He knows how to dig deep into riveting stories through the power of film. Devil’s Knot visits the story of the West Memphis Three, specifically going deep into the lives of the adults who were affected by the horrific murders that shocked the tight knit, religious town. Reese Witherspoon plays a grieving mother of one of the murdered boys, providing a very different perspective to the whole affair. Egoyan’s films don’t have to be everyone. However, they certainly provide a film experience that is very unique and refreshing. He takes his time with the projects he works on, trying to make them the best, and Devil’s Knot is going to be no different.
12. Gravity
One of the bigger blockbuster films at the festival, Gravity is a new film by Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men), who puts the focus on Astronauts Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney). The most unlikely of pairings, these two extremely talented professionals suddenly find themselves deep in crisis when between them and safety is only a million miles of space. Looking at just the trailer, this is one of those films that is going to give you a visual treat, truly taking advantage of 3D technology to provide you with a realistic experience of floating in space. With veterans Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in the film, this should be an interesting film to see at the festival.
13. Young & Beautiful
François Ozon brings to the table a coming-of-age film about a young French girl Isabelle (Marine Vacth). The film puts into perspective the adolescent female psyche, journing with this young girl through four seasons, seeing her evolution as a girl and a human being. This is one of the few films at the festival that will put character on centre stage, dividing into the many factors and elements that truly define a character on screen. Marine Vacth dabbles with a very volatile and confused character and seeing her unravel the mysteries of life will be a treat to watch on screen. It is important to note that a film like Young & Beautiful is similar to Blue is the Warmest Colour, where the subject matter is likely to appeal to specific people. Think about that before choosing to watch the film.
Photo Credits: Toronto International Film Festival
