Every year, filmmakers from all around the world bring their works right here to Toronto to make their debuts. International film festivals such as TIFF invite a wide range of movies that are as diverse as the countries from which they originate, and it is a real treat to be exposed to movies one might otherwise never have the opportunity to see. Here are a few of the foreign works from around the globe that have piqued our interest.
Mr. Turner
Highly acclaimed director Mike Leigh presents Mr. Turner (2014), a British film about the famous British landscape painter J.M.W. Turner. Although many art fans are familiar with Turner’s art, few know anything about his life, and this film promises to offer a glimpse into a mysterious personality. Director Leigh has already impressed critics and fans alike with his works, many of which have received Academy Award nominations, so it will be exciting to see what he brings to the table this time around.
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Clouds of Sils Maria
Boasting credits from both France as well as the United States, Clouds of Sils Maria (2013) tells the story of Maria, played by Juliette Binoche, a talented stage actress who is asked to return to the play that led to her success – in the more mature role. Maria inevitably clashes with the young lady (Chloe Grace Moretz) now playing her previous role, revealing insecurities and leading to psychological struggles. Director Olivier Assayas has been bringing his films to TIFF since 1989, and his latest work promises to generate just as much excitement as those did twenty-five years ago.
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Madame Bovary
The classic French novel Madame Bovary (2014) has now been adapted into a Belgian/British film starring Mia Wasikowska and Paul Giamatti from director Sophie Barthes. Bovary, here played by the incredible Wasikowska, is a bored and unsatisfied housewife who begins a series of affairs in order to bring some interest into her life. Fans of this well-known novel will not want to miss the opportunity to view these iconic characters up on the big screen as brought to life by superbly talented actors.
Wild Tales
Hailing from both Argentina and Spain, Wild Tales (2014) takes a darkly humorous look at modern day Argentina through a series of six short stories. Characters find themselves on doomed flights, dealing with infuriating traffic tickets, and in the middle of chaotic wedding receptions. Director and screenwriter Damian Szifron from Buenos Aires weaves his tales together to create a film that will take a look at a society with which many here in North America may be unfamiliar, while keeping his audiences laughing at the bizarre scenarios that he presents.
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Two Days, One Night
Finally, all the way from Belgium and France comes the film Two Days, One Night (2013) from the dynamic directing duo that is the Dardenne brothers. Marion Cotillard stars as Sandra, a hard working mother who loses her job when her co-workers opt to receive bonuses instead of allowing her to stay on, leaving her with one weekend to convince everybody to change their minds. The Dardenne brothers are known for their realist style, which is sure to lend itself well to this engaging and emotional storyline.
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I really love Mia Wasikowska, she’s such a wonderful actress.