TIFF Inspirations: Secrets Beneath the Skin

Secrets Beneath the Skin*

Closing Night Gala Presentation

USA, 2014

English

World Premiere

129 minutes - Colour

Cast: Gurratan Singh, Michelle Jobin

When a disgraced Senator's daughter, Dorothy Sorenson, is accused of murdering her adulterous husband, it becomes the perfect opportunity for Manhattan defence attorney Arman Birk to increase his profile internationally.

Birk has been named "Most Eligible Bachelor" by the New York Times and has appeared on several best-dressed lists, but it's his penchant for winning impossible cases that has made him a national superstar -- not to mention, a very wealthy man.

In his latest case, Birk is pushed to the limits when all the evidence points to his client's guilt and dark secrets reveal ties to the former Senator's scandalous crimes of abuse. What first appeared to be his golden opportunity, suddenly turns into his worst nightmare.

At his family's beckoning, Birk is forced to drop the case when it threatens his engagement to his illustrious fiancé and his untarnished reputation in the Sikh community. But things are not so simple after his client discloses one more hidden truth that could spell disaster for the promising lawyer.

Secrets Beneath the Skin is a sophisticated political-thriler with so many twists and turns, it will have audiences riveted well after the final verdict is read.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Red is a Painful Colour

La Vie d'André*
Red is a Painful Colour

Gala Presentation

Canada, 2014

French/English Subtitles

World Premiere

181 minutes - Colour

Cast: Richard Kikot, Sebastian Blagdon 

When André first sees Émile in an amusement park, it's love at first sight. Had Émile not been wearing his bright red leather jacket, André would have missed him entirely in the crowd, but fate would fortunately intervene. That is how their torrid love affair begins and it would be the awakening that forever changes André.

Consumed by Émile's charm and sexuality, André inevitably becomes obsessed with his new found love and does everything in his power to keep it -- including hurting the very object of his affections.

Red is a Painful Colour is a cautionary tale of the fine line between love and obsession and will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who has given into the desires of their heart.

* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Toxic

Giftig*
Toxic

Contemporary World Cinema

Germany, 2014

German/English Subtitles

North American Premiere

87 minutes - Colour

Cast: Thea Geurtsen

Franka Jäger is one of Berlin's most promising DJs in the techno underground scene, but things take a turn for the worse when her junkie-husband steals her electronic gear to sell for his next fix. Tonight, she'll have only one hour to stop him if she's got any chance of performing at the biggest gig of her life.

Told in real-time, Toxic will have audiences at the edge of their seats while they stomp to the beat of an electrifying soundtrack.
 
* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Bloggers

Bloggers*

Discovery

Canada, 2014

English

World Premiere

89 minutes - Colour

Cast: Amanda Phuong

For the last 3 years, Samantha Phuong has been named the country's top beauty and fashion blogger -- namely for her in-depth make-up tips and style reports, but when she sees her weekly analytics dramatically decline, her life begins to fall in a tailspin. Much to Samantha's dismay, her newest and biggest adversary is Julie Summerset, a self-proclaimed beauty expert, whose flashy YouTube videos are taking the internet by storm. 

When the two meet on a live news program to talk about the latest fashion trends, it ends in a nasty fist fight that goes viral and sparks a ruthless rivalry that gains national media attention. How far will the two bloggers go to achieve beauty and style dominance? The country is tuned in to find out.

In the age of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Bachelorette, Bloggers is a hilarious and entertaining take on the contemporary media's fascination with celebrity and beauty.

* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Le Pari

Le Pari*
The Bet

Special Presentation

France, 2014

French/English Subtitles

North American Premiere

99 minutes - Colour

Cast: Steven Barnett, Zai Toussaint

Ever since they were kids, Michel and Daniel have been competitive brothers. For fun, they would bet their allowance on who was the smartest, the fastest and the strongest, but the stakes would be much higher with their latest wager.

The bet: the first one to marry wins the other's portion of inheritance. There's just one catch: the respective woman must be chosen by the other brother.

For Daniel, Michel selects Marie-Claire, an attractive and successful lawyer, who has always eluded him, and for Michel, Daniel selects Geneviève, his beautiful but hot-tempered Vespa mechanic.

The Bet is a funny and clever romantic-comedy that proves love conquers all -- even under wildly deceptive circumstances.

* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Les Bardots

Les Bardots*
The Bardots

Special Presentation
France, 2014
French/English subtitles
North American Premiere
101 minutes - Colour
Cast: Asia Clarke, Keesha Chung , Christina Mirabelli

In this sequel to last year's hit, I Want to Spend the Rest of My Life With You Tonight, the female Parisian punk band, The Bardots, find themselves without a lead singer and embark on the arduous task of reinventing themselves as they endure the hardship of their personal lives.

When her reckless sister spontaneously runs off with her latest boyfriend to Brussels, Isabelle is suddenly left to fend for her nephew, Bruno. Barely able to feed herself - let alone a 6-year old boy, she takes on more hours as a waitress, which dramatically cuts down on the band's practise sessions.

After months of suffering from extreme fatigue, Sandrine is devastated when she is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Unwilling to give up her dreams as a drummer, she keeps her ailment a secret despite the fact that her bandmates are frustrated with her declining performance.

Confronted with an ultimatum by her political-activist husband Karl, Valérie is forced to choose between her happy marriage and her loyal band -- two of her greatest loves.

Backed by another terrific soundtrack, The Bardots is an extraordinary exploration of the resiliency of the human spirit -- even after it's been beaten by the harsh realities of life.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: The Graphic Novel

The Graphic Novel*

Midnight Madness
USA, 2014
English
World Premiere
92 minutes - Colour
Cast: Adam Crosby, Katie Sawatsky

Comic store clerk Otis Millar has risen from obscurity to phenom practically overnight. His continuing adventures of The Grave Digger for Epic Comix have not only revitalized a declining comic industry but spawned a multi-million dollar movie deal. With all this sudden success, it's a wonder to those around him why he's constantly hostile and paranoid.

Maybe it would shed some light if everyone knew that he had something to do with Grave Digger creator Donny Dyson's disappearance several months prior. Needless to say, Otis' gravy train would end if the world discovered that a battered Dyson was really churning out new Grave Digger tales while chained in his basement. On top of that, it's a good thing that Otis doesn't know that his goth-girlfriend Maggie is secretly having an affair with his profitable captive. It's enough to send any sociopath off the deep end.

The Graphic Novel is a dark-comedy that's more dark than comedy and is sure to please the not-so squismish.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Private Eyes

Private Eyes*

Special Presentation
UK/USA, 2014
English
North American Premiere
96 minutes - Colour
Cast: Heather Babcock, Hasan Reza Prescod  

After they quit their boring office jobs in Manchester, England, Noel and Joan make an obvious career choice: the private eye business. 

But later, chasing and photographing cheating spouses also prove to be unfulfilling and our heroes begin longing for their first big case. Enter the mysterious Mr. Black. He inexplicably hires the amateurs to find his deadbeat son-in-law who owes his daughter months of back child-support.

With a lot of luck, they surprisingly find their man, but when he turns out to be the key witness in Jimmy "the Butcher" Marcus' murder trial, things take a turn for the worse for Noel and Joan, who find themselves on the run after the witness winds up dead. 

To close loose ends, the mob puts out a hit on the bumbling duo who are poorly armed with just a hairpin and rusty starting pistol.

Will Noel and Joan survive the mob or end up killing each other? The answer will pleasantly surprise you.

Private Eyes is a hugely entertaining and hilarious spin on the old spy genre. 


*This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: 17 Dias

17 Dias*
17 Days

Contemporary World Cinema
Brazil, 2014
Portuguese/English Subtitles
World Premiere
123 minutes - Colour
Cast: Asante Tracey , Nadine Gravis

In 17 Days, Ana and Miguel's turbulent 17-day relationship technically has a happy ending, but only because the film is chronologically told backwards.

The film opens with Ana angrily throwing Miguel's belongings (including his vintage jazz records) out her 3-storey apartment window into the street, where a seething Miguel frantically tries to recover his valuables from opportunistic children.

Neither Ana nor Miguel are innocent in this union. Both are secretly fulfilling their selfish sexual desires with indiscriminate strangers, while proclaiming their undying love for each other. There are no truths. The foundation of their love is solely built on lies. Yet, why do they insist on living this exercise of futility?

17 Days offers no real answers to that question, but their short tumultuous journey is a wild and worthwhile ride.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: A Gypsy's Story

Bir Çingene Hikayesi*
A Gypsy's Story

Contemporary World Cinema
Turkey, 2014
Turkish, Greek/English Subtitles
World Premiere
159 minutes - Colour

In A Gypsy's Story, Kara is devastated when her infant son Ahmet is kidnapped in her sleep by her estranged lover Andoni, who plans to raise him with his family in Bulgaria. Determined to find her boy, the ravaged mother leaves the safety of her Gypsy community in Anatolia and begins a harrowing trek through the dark bowels of South-Eastern Europe with Andoni's love letters in hand as clues to his whereabouts. 

Kara's long tormenting journey hardens her soft heart and skin, but she never loses hope to be reunited with Ahmet. Not even after she marries a handsome and grizzled Greek farmer and raises their two daughters in the Balkan Mountains. 

A Gypsy's Story is an epic tale of a mother's undiminished devotion to her son and its climax decades later is incredibly heartfelt. 


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Ripple

Ripple*
Opening Night Gala Presentation
UK, 2014
English
World Premiere
104 minutes - Colour
Cast: Alyssa Capriotti

Ever since she lost her husband and infant daughter in a fatal car crash, Heather Chilton has been binge drinking to alleviate her pain and suffering; however, the hard liquor and one night stands aren't enough to save her from the reality of her lonely existence.

After she's confronted by her family to seek help, she reluctantly sees a therapist who calms her nerves using hypnosis. Each night thereafter, the alternative therapy inexplicably causes Heather to dream the first 10 minutes of meeting her husband on a park bench. But is it really a dream? The new scar on her arm suggests otherwise. Somehow Heather is caught in a ripple time effect, causing her to actually relive the first time she ever met her husband.

Can Heather use her newly acquired power to bring her family back from the dead? Only time will tell and unfortunately for Heather, she doesn't have much of it, as the ripple progressively closes.

Ripple is an inspiring tale of hope and healing that is sure to win the hearts of audiences.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

Click here to see last year's TIFF Inspirations.

TIFF Inspirations: Dragon-Mom

Dragon-Mom* 

Closing Night Gala
USA 2013
English
World Premiere
101 minutes - Colour
Cast: Jennifer Harris

Olympic Gold Medallist Janet Gibson has nothing but pride seeing her daughter Jessica train with her teammates for the Major League Dragon Boat Series. Before winning her gold medal in kayaking 15 years ago, Janet led her dragon boat team to many victories, and was hopeful that Jessica would follow the same path. But Janet's world turns upside down after a fatal car accident claims her daughter's life.

Inspired by true events, Dragon-Mom tells the story of a mother who joins her late daughter's team to compete against the best of the best in the Dragon Boat Majors -- all in the name of her daughter. Can the heart of an Olympian lead them to victory?

An inspirational film worthy of closing the festival.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: The Library

The Library*
Midnight Madness
New Zealand 2013
English
North American Premiere
91 minutes - Colour
Cast: Mehdi Agahi

In the spirit of horror classics Creepshow and Twilight Zone: The Movie, comes The Library -- a frightening new anthology film, featuring a collection of short stories that take place in (you guessed it) a library.

An over-zealous librarian takes it way too personally when students fail to return their borrowed books on time in Overdue. During the course of an evening, he stalks and terrorizes his victims before finally reclaiming their textbooks. This darkly funny short takes the slasher genre in a fresh direction.

Patrick is an Elizabethan Poetry major and a hopeless romantic. In Sonnet, every night at 11pm, he meets up with Helena in a secluded part of the library to read poetry. But on this faithful night, things will take a turn for the macabre when Helena has a very strange request. Not for the faint of heart.

When Samantha wakes up in the library, she not only discovers that she's locked alone inside, but that she's being hunted by the same historical serial killers examined in her thesis. Thesis is a creepy nail-biter that is guaranteed to shock audiences.

If blood and mayhem is your thing, then The Library will certainly tickle you.



* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: Double Jeopardy

Double Jeopardy*

Wavelengths
Russia 2013
English
North American Premiere
110 minutes - Colour
Cast: Gulay & Bulent Turkvan

Victor has always suspected his wife Ana of cheating on him with his twin brother Yuri, but he just never had the proof. It was just a gut feeling.

Obsessed with finding the truth, Victor hires a private detective to follow her, and sure enough, his suspicions were right. Ana and Yuri were having an affair for several months.

Desperate to not lose his wife, Victor conjures up a devious plan to kill his brother and then assume his identity. It would be a win/win situation. Victor would still have Ana and his traitorous twin would be out of the picture. The only minor setback is that he would have to live out the rest of his life as Yuri -- a price he was willing to pay.

After he carries out his plan to perfection, things go horribly wrong for Victor when Ana rejects Yuri. Suddenly, Victor must try to win Ana's affections all over again, but this time as Yuri.

Indeed, Double Jeopardy is a black comedy with a very big and twisted heart.



* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: In Your Dreams

In Your Dreams*
Masters
USA, 2013
English
World Premiere
109 minutes - Colour
Cast: Michael and Barb Pimento

Just days after his retirement, Sheldon Monroe surprised his wife Doreen with the announcement that he'd like the couple to relocate from their quaint Vermont home and move to beautiful Florence to pursue his dream of becoming a great pastry chef.

The news was a devastating blow to their 3 grown kids, who couldn't remember their dad even attempting to make a Pillsbury Crescent roll in their lifetime. After 35 years of marriage, Doreen was especially looking forward to spending their twilight years comfortably in Florida. Still, Sheldon was convinced that his lifelong passion wouldn't materialize in the "Sunshine State." It had to be Florence.

Against her better judgement, Doreen agrees to sell their house and use their retirement funds to help fulfill Sheldon's dream. However, the risky venture wouldn't be without huge consequences that could possibly rip their marriage apart.

In Your Dreams is an enchanting comedy that reminds us that you are never too old to follow your dreams.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: Je Veux Passer Ma Vie Avec Vous Ce Soir

Je Veux Passer Ma Vie Avec Vous Ce Soir*
I Want to Spend the Rest of My Life With You Tonight

Discovery
France, 2013
French/English subtitles
World Premiere
92 minutes - Colour
Cast: Sammie Miles & Keon Cameron

Stéphanie and Jean are madly in love. They're also the lead singers for 2 of Paris' hottest independent acts. Hers is called The Bardots, an all-girl punk group and his is called The Delinquents, a heavy metal band. When a local club promises a record contract to the winner of a 'battle of the bands' contest, their eternal love for each other will be put to the ultimate test.

I Want to Spend the Rest of My Life With You Tonight (also the name of the Bardots' signature song) is an engaging drama peppered with incredible live rock performances. An inspiring film that comes highly recommended for anyone who's ever fought tooth and nail to realize their dream.



* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: The Alien Who Moved Next Door

The Alien Who Moved Next Door*
TIFF Kids
Canada, 2013
English
World Premiere
89 minutes - Colour
Cast: Tristen (left) & Torin (right)

Ever since Mr. Arbogast moved in next door, Trent and Dorian have noticed the strangest things: stray-cats go haywire when they pass-by his house; weird humming noises emanate from his basement, and the old man watches the weather channel incessantly. Naturally these findings can only mean one thing: Mr. Arbogast is an alien and he's planning world domination.

The Alien Who Moved Next Door will delight kids and parents alike and is destined to become a children's classic.


* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: Sospetto

Sospetto*
Suspicion

Gala
Italy, 2013
Italian/English subtitles
World Premiere
143 minutes - Colour
Cast: Spiro Mandylor

Doctor Salvatore Tucci is Rome's most respected and successful cardiovascular surgeon. He has saved the lives of many dignitaries, including an Italian President, a top military official and the country's wealthiest citizens. But things take a turn for the worse for the doctor when a patient inexplicably dies on his table during a routine procedure.

How could it have happened? A blood test proves no substance abuse, and eventually an intensive investigation concludes that the doctor was likely suffering from fatigue after having worked 27 hours straight (something the doctor had no trouble doing before). When the family of the victim refuses to file a malpractice suit against the hospital, it looks like Doctor Tucci's life would return back to normal -- that is until an anonymous police tip uncovers that the doctor once knew the patient intimately.

Suddenly, the Doctor's past is put under the microscope and the police and media race against each other to find the truth. What they'll find will rock an entire nation.

Suspicion is a smart and powerful suspense-thriller that will undoubtedly garner much attention come award season.



* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: Foul Play

Foul Play*
Masters
USA, 2013
English
World Premiere
123 minutes - Colour
Cast: Mike Ward

Ten years ago, Harry Jordan was on top of the world as one of LA's leading sports agents, but with a struggling economy, 2 divorces and a kid in college, things have been tough on him lately -- and they're going to get tougher.

Harry's most lucrative client, Oakland Raider's star quarterback, Joe Reynolds, has been found dead in his Hollywood apartment and police suspect foul play. To make matters worse, all fingers are pointing to Harry. As it turns out, Reynolds had accused the sly agent of embezzling money and harsh words were exchanged. But the most incriminating evidence is the security camera footage of Harry suspiciously leaving the scene of the crime.

Determined to find out who framed him, Harry makes a death-defying escape from police custody on the I-405 (resulting in the incredible mass destruction of multiple cars and semi-trucks). With nowhere to run, he turns to the last people he can trust: his ex-wives, Susan and Rebecca. Together, they make an unlikely team to solve the murder mystery and clear Harry's slightly-tarnished name.

Part Jerry Maguire and Bird on a Wire, Foul Play is sure to become one of this year's most memorable dramedies.



* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.

TIFF Inspirations: 'Til Death Do Us Part

'Til Death Do Us Part*

Vanguard
United Kingdom, 2013
English
World Premiere
112 minutes - Colour
Cast: Ola Rahatka, Kevin Maxted & Bridget as herself

Married life hasn't been quite the same for John ever since Claire inherited Bridget -- her late Aunt Betty's stubborn pooch. Not only does he feel like a third wheel in their relationship, he's convinced that Bridget is plotting to break them up. This was especially evident after Bridget left a special package floating in the their jacuzzi on the evening of their 10-month wedding anniversary; quickly putting the brakes on their romantic liaison.

Pushed to the brink of insanity, John finally hires a hit man to take care of the heartless pup, but much to his chagrin, she miraculously survives every attempt at her life. But the real fun begins when Bridget gets wise to John's shady plans and the two battle it out in an epic climax ala Home Alone.

Indeed, 'Til Death Do Us Part is one of best black comedies to come out of the UK in a long time, and it will forever redefine the phrase: "man's best friend."



* This is my tribute to the Toronto International Film Festival. It is not a real film.