TIFF Talk: Laurie, "Village Rockstars"

Name: Laurie from Toronto

The Film: Village Rockstars (India)

What's it about? 

It's a coming of age film about a young Indian girl who wants nothing more than to become a rock star. The only problem is her widowed mother can't afford to buy her a real guitar.

Did you like it?

I loved the film. It sort of played like a doc in so many ways. It has patient storytelling and you forgot that there was a film crew and a director directing actors because it felt so incredibly authentic. I don't want to give too much away, but this child learns the value of hanging onto a dream despite the fact that society around her believes it's not a girl's place to dream about being a rock star. She also gets berated for climbing trees with boys. It's a film that spoke to the little rebel and rock star in me. The story is reminiscent of my younger days running around wanting to do things that were traditionally male-oriented. I was especially moved by the mother/daughter relationship and how the mother supported her daughter's dreams.

Village Rockstars currently has no official release date.

Trailer

 

TIFF 2017: Director Matt Embry "Living Proof" Documentary

As the film title says, director Matt Embry is "living proof" that there are effective alternatives to fighting Multiple Sclerosis than conventional pharmaceuticals, but you won't hear his inspirational story from Big Pharma or research corporations like the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

At 18, Embry was diagnosed with MS. Shortly after, his father, Ashton Embry Ph.D, dedicated himself to finding answers in scientific literature. When he discovered a link between MS and nutrition, his son eventually began to show great progress in fending off the incurable disease. But when his father shared his promising medical treatment to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, the nation's largest MS research company, they didn't want to hear it. Strange -- especially when Matt Embry doesn't show any symptoms of the disease -- even to this day, twenty-two years later.

Living Proof is a heartfelt film that follows the director's journey of coming to terms with his looming infliction. It's also an engaging exposé that shines the spotlight on what appears to be corporate collusion to continue to profit on the sick (i.e. MS patients are kept in the dark about cheaper medical alternatives and encouraging experimental treatments are tied up in FDA bureaucracy).

In the Q&A, Matt Embry emphasized that he's not a doctor or researcher, he's just advocating for change. "I believe that the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is important to have. They have programs that are supporting people. The question is: What can that change look like? That's what we're trying to get to."

Living Proof currently has no release date.

To learn more, visit Matt Embry's website MSHope.com. 

Trailer

TIFF Talk 2017: Rocio, "A Fantastic Woman"

Name: Rocio from Toronto

The Film: A Fantastic Woman (Chile)

What's it about?

[After her partner unexpectedly passes away, a transgender woman clashes with his disapproving family.]

Did you like it?

I really liked it. It's very moving. It's set in Santiago, Chile where Trans women are not seen as real women. The situation in Santiago is not the greatest for the trans community. Society there is very religious and highly Catholic -- so seeing a film for and by LGBT people from Latin America is very powerful.

Some audiences will find it shocking or intense. It has some violent scenes, but it's an eye-opener to the realities of many women in South America.

Daniela Vega, the lead actress, gave a wonderful performance and I hope that she reaps all the benefits of that. I feel that the art community in Santiago loves to tell stories like this one, but it hasn't fully embraced the LGBT lifestyle. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

A Fantastic Woman is in theatres beginning November 17th.

Trailer 

TIFF Talk 2017: Carrie, "mother!"

Name: Carrie from Toronto

The Film: mother! (USA)

What's it about?

It's a story about mother, but it's not like somebody's mother, it's the nature of mom.

Did you like it?

I'm not really sure if I like it because I just finished watching it. I still have to organize my thoughts. However, if I compared it to Black Swan, I much prefer Black Swan. I found this movie difficult to understand, but I would still recommend it to my friends. It's really crazy and out there. It's an original. There's just really so much to take in. It's scary. I felt like I couldn't breath.

It'll definitely be polarizing. A lot of people around me loved it and I think a lot of people will dislike it too.

mother! is in theatres this Friday.

Trailer

TIFF 2017: Director Maggie Betts & Her "Novitiate" Cast

[Pictured left to right: Maddie Hasson, Rebecca Dayan, Director Maggie Betts, Margaret Qualley, Dianna Agron & Melissa Leo]

In 2008, I saw a young director's amazing film debut at TIFF. I loved everything about his movie and I remember telling myself, if it ended at this very moment, it would be perfect. Suddenly it cut to black and the end-credits rolled. I was floored. The director spoke to everyone who wanted to talk to him in the theatre lobby and I waited patiently to meet him. I finally got my one-on-one and enthusiastically shared my great admiration for his film. He was so delighted by my comments, he gave me his card. When we parted, I thought, "That guy is going to have an extraordinary film career." The movie was Medicine for Melancholy and that director was Barry Jenkins. That story comes to mind because after seeing the masterful Novitiate, I strongly believe that writer/director Maggie Betts is destined to have the same trajectory as the Moonlight director. 

Set in 1964 amidst the great reforms of the Catholic church, Novitiate tells the story of a young girl (Margaret Qualley) discovering her love affair with Christ as she and her peers endure their Reverend Mother's (Melissa Leo) wrath. 

"Love and sacrifice" is their mantra, but we scarcely see any semblance of love in the nunnery. Inevitably, we -- along with the nuns-in-training -- begin to wonder if their sacrifice is worth the price.

Betts handles her characters respectfully and although their devotion to God is intense, we never dismiss them as mere fanatics. Even Leo's sadistic Mother isn't depicted as a complete monster. She genuinely believes in what she's doing to make the young women in her image. 

Novitiate comes highly recommended and is confirmation that Betts is a new auteur to watch for. 

Coming to theatres on October 27th.

Trailer

TIFF Talk 2017: Dryden Rainbow, "I, Tonya"

Name: Dryden Rainbow from Toronto

The Film: I, Tonya (USA)

What's it about?

The film follows 1990's figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) who was involved in a huge scandal with her skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan, around the 1994 Olympics. It's about her and her husband (Sebastian Stan) in kind of in a faux documentary.

Did you like it?

I really liked it. I knew nothing about the scandal. It happened when I was very young so I did not follow it at the time. The movie reminded me a lot of The Big Short in terms of being a serious biopic, but also being funny. I, Tonya has a lot of comedy in it.

I saw the film mostly because Allison Janney is in it. She's one of most favourite actresses. She plays Tonya Harding's mother and she's the worst mother who has good intentions, but poor execution.

The film made me feel sympathetic towards Tonya Harding. I watch the Olympics every year and the film reminded me of the controversy with U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas.  Four years ago, everyone was supporting Gabby and this year she didn't hold her hand on her chest during the national anthem and everyone vilified her. It's weird how we vilify young women who just want to compete for their country. Obviously, this crazy pattern has been happening for a long time.


I, Tonya will be released sometime next year.

TIFF Talk 2017: Andrew, "Call Me By Your Name"

Name: Andrew from Toronto

The Film: Call Me By Your Name (Italy/France)

What's it about?

It's a coming of age story about a young man who's trying to come to terms with his [sexual] identity.

Did you like it?

I really love the film. As a queer male myself I thought it captured a lot of things that I went through in my youth. I would say that it's a great representation of the young male experience coming to terms. It's beautifully shot. The music was perfectly paired. The script is beautiful, but that's because the source material is beautiful.

I think audiences will receive it really well. I think it requires people to really sink into it and allow themselves to become lost in it -- otherwise you might find its two hours and 10 minutes running time too long.

The performances were great. The young man played by Timothée Chalamet was exceptional. I've never seen him in anything before so I was really taken by him. I think Armie Hammer was incredible, but I think he's always incredible. I think he's really bold for taking on the role. Traditionally he's your archetypal male lead so for him to take on this role that challenges him in this way and to conquer it the way that he did, I thought was amazing.

I had a hard time buying into their relationship at first, but as the two of them sort of allowed themselves to buy into it, I was totally sold by the end.

I love everything about it.


Call Me By Your Name will be in theatres on November 24th. 

Trailer

 

TIFF Talk 2017: Stacey McKenzie, "Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami"

Name: Model Stacey McKenzie

The Film: Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (UK)

What's it about?

Documentary based on the life of singer/model Grace Jones.

Did you like it?

I thought it was amazing. It was so raw and real. She didn't hold back. She said in the Q&A that she's usually in control of her image because she's vain, but in the film she just let loose. I really liked that about her. I liked seeing Grace's vulnerable side and not just the persona that we usually see on stage and in pictures.

Grace Jones always meant the world to me because growing up in Kingston, Jamaica and not looking and sounding like the typical black chick, she was the one that I was able to relate to. For me, seeing her pursue her dreams and make it despite [all the odds] inspired me to reach my dreams and goals.

[During the Q&A], when I went on stage to meet her, she recognized me. 10 years ago in Vienna, I actually walked with her for a show and got to hang out with her for the day. We haven't seen each other since. Seeing her again tonight and to be able to tell her how much she's changed my life and the lives for many black girls and people in general was great. It might have been tacky, but I had to go for it. This was my one chance. I knew it was a sign when the interviewer asked, "Are there any Jamaicans here?" It was the perfect opportunity.


I previously captured Stacey's cool street style 7 years ago.

TIFF Talk 2016: Ariel, "Window Horses"

Name: Ariel from Toronto

The Film: Window Horses (Canada)

What's it about?

It's an animated story about Rosie (voiced by Sandra Oh) who is half Chinese and half Persian. She lives in BC with her grandparents ever since her mother died and her father abandoned her. She's a poet and gets this anonymous invitation to a poetry contest in Shiraz, Iran. She goes knowing that's where her father lives and she progressively learns more about her past, her father and the history of the Persian Empire. It's a coming of age story that involves a culture that is currently under a great deal of scrutiny and Canadian director/animator Ann Marie Fleming sheds a more just light on it.

Did you like it?

It's a beautiful film. More so than I expected. It's really moving and very compassionate. It's incredibly fluid in its depiction of an artistic culture. The film embraces those notions of self doubt that many artists have about creating their art and reveals many international concepts on the nature of expression and creativity.

The great thing about the film being animated is that it can appeal to children. It's not specifically a kid's film, but I think 10 to 15-year olds will get it and that's important because there's more to life than what we know.

The animation is incredibly simple considering Rosie is essentially a stick figure. I find it very indicative of how bare and raw she is. She's still learning about life and with her being simplistically drawn, you get the impression that she's not fully formed yet. She's still growing. I loved it.

Follow Ariel on Instagram.

Ariel Fisher is a film reviewer and co-hosts the new film podcast, A Frame Apart.


Window Horses Trailer

TIFF Talk 2016: Nikki & Alexandra, "Below Her Mouth"

Name: Nikki (Left) & Alexandra (Right) from Toronto

The Film: Below Her Mouth (Canada)

What's it about?

[Two very different women, Dallas (Erika Linder) and Jasmine (Natalie Krill), fall in love with each other and completely turn their lives upside down.]

Alexandra: It was a story about love. The characters discovered new things within themselves because they found each other.

Nikki: It was also about courage. Learning to be true to yourself and not being afraid to show the world who you really are.

Did you like it?

Alexandra: I loved it so much. I went through a lot of emotions from start to finish in terms of their journey. Everything from the cinematography, the direction and the writing was great. In the Q&A, I was surprise to learn that it was filmed chronologically and I think that really helped in building the actresses' emotional connection.

Nikki: The film hits you right in your heart. I really felt for the characters because they were real and their emotions were raw. Both of them were very different people and they were following very different paths. Seeing them interact and trying to figure things out was neat.

Alexandra: I don't think that the infidelity in the film matters (Jasmine cheats on her fiancé Rile to be with her girlfriend Dallas). Are you being unfaithful when you're being unfaithful to yourself [by being in a loveless relationship]? Infidelity is inexcusable, but it's real life. People go through shit, they do shit and then they regret shit. Eventually, they figure it out and move on.

Nikki: Sometimes people do things that they're not proud of in order to find their way in becoming the person that they're meant to be.

Alexandra: Another reason that we wanted to see this film is because the filmmakers are all women.

Nikki: I'm proud of that. I think it's an incredible time for female artists and I hope that this film helps break that glass ceiling in the film industry.

Below Her Mouth will be released in theatres in February 2017.

Below Her Mouth trailer

TIFF Talk 2016: Topher, "Christine"

Name: Topher from Toronto

The Film: Christine (USA)

What's it about?

[It's the true story about Christine Chubbuck (Rebecca Hall) -- a troubled Florida news reporter who committed suicide on live TV in 1974.] 

Did you like it?

It was really well done. I actually work in the news industry so I thought it was very interesting. [Christine suffered from depression and shot herself in the head during a live broadcast. She deplored sensationalism.] There's a line in the movie: "If it bleeds, it leads." As a photographer, it kind of sucks because I know that's partly the truth. Sometimes you want to report good things in the news, but most viewers just want to click on gruesome stuff. If more people wanted happy stories, we'd give them happy stories.

Like Christine, I don't think the news should be sensationalized and I believe a lot of people in the industry feel the same.

 Follow Topher on Instagram.

Christine trailer 

TIFF Talk 2016: Pauline, "The Bad Batch"

Name: Pauline from Toronto

The Film: The Bad Batch (USA)

What's it about?

It's a post-apocalyptic movie about criminals (aka Bad Batch) trying to survive a group of cannibals in the desert.

Did you like it?

I loved it. I sat right at the front so I couldn't escape the mayhem. The director, Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night), introduces us to this gruesome cannibalistic world; which is so raw and jarring. It was so disturbing to watch the girl (Suki Waterhouse) get her arm and leg sawed off to be eaten.

The film got a positive response from the TIFF crowd so I think audiences will generally like it, but it's not for everybody. All I can say is if you go see it, have an open mind.

Follow Pauline on Instagram.

Clip from The Bad Batch

TIFF Talk 2016: Kyisha, "I Am Not Your Negro"

Name: Kyisha from Toronto

The Film: I Am Not Your Negro (USA, France, Belgium, Switzerland)

What's it about?

It's a documentary about the life of novelist James Baldwin and his impact and continued impact on the anti-Black racism conversation in North America and the world.

Did you like it?

I really liked the film. I was impressed that you can do a documentary without talking heads. It was very poetic and experimental; which I think matched the essence of James Baldwin. I thought it was interesting how much Europe supported [his social and political views] when he was alive, and then to learn in the Q&A that the film was mostly financed by European investors (France, Belgium and Switzerland). Unfortunately, the US didn't support his ideas much back then nor did they support this film much now. Although there was also anti-Black racism where Baldwin lived in Europe, he was supported more as a person there than in the states.

Not very much has changed when it comes to race relations in North America. There are a lot of clear parallels that we can draw from what was happening back then and what is happening now. You hope that things will change and films about anti-Black racism will stop being relevant, but unfortunately, it's still very very relevant.

Follow Kyisha on Instagram.

TIFF Talk 2016: Matthew, "Lady Macbeth"

Name: Matthew from Toronto

The Film: Lady Macbeth (United Kingdom)

What's it about?

The film is called Lady Macbeth, but it's not a literal depiction of Shakespeare's Macbeth. It's sort of a spiritual cousin to that. It's set in Scotland in the 1800's and it's about this woman who is essentially purchased into this wealthy land-owning Scottish family. She's made the wife to the heir of the estate just for sexual purposes and to give him an heir. The film asks, "What do you do when all of society is against you and you're in a situation where you have no power?" What she does is she turns to these acts of violence.

Did you like it?

It's beautifully photographed. The acting is tremendous. It's all shot meticulously well. The Scottish countryside is gorgeous. The lines that she's willing to cross to achieve agency and to be her own person are incredible and it's thrilling to watch. It's my absolute favourite film at TIFF so far.

To me, the film spoke a lot to now. Look at how society is stacked against People of Colour and women. It speaks to the idea of being pushed and pushed into a corner and not allowing the world to steamroll over you. 


Matthew Price is the co-presenter & programmer of Musicale - a new monthly film series that showcases musicals from the 50's to present at the Royal Cinema. They recently screened Prince's Sign 'O' the Times, Victor/Victoria and Car Wash.

Follow Matthew on Twitter.

TIFF Talk 2016: Camille, "Loving"

Name: Camille from Kansas City

The Film: Loving (USA)

What's it about?

It's the true story of Mildred Loving, a black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, who were sentenced to a year in prison in the state of Virginia for marrying each other in 1958. Their marriage led to the Supreme Court's civil rights decision to invalidate laws forbidding interracial marriage. 

Did you like it?

I loved the film. I don't think either of them knew the significance of the decision that they were making when they chose to get married. They just loved each other and wanted to do what was natural; which was to pair, get married, raise a family and mind their own business. I kept asking myself during the movie, "My goodness. Don't they realize that this is going to be a big deal?" But they really didn't.

I love the performances [by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga]. They did a great job. I really fell right into the story. They moved me. I think if audiences come with an open mind and open heart, they're also going to be very moved. Hopefully, they can take the next step to understand all of the other questions that are being asked in the United States at this time. Marriage is marriage and love is love. It's all good.

Also, my daughter is getting married next year. Her fiancé is Caucasian and they live in Washington, DC -- so the film is a little personal to me too.

Loving will be released in theatres on November 4th.

Loving Trailer

TIFF Talk 2016: Laurie, "Moonlight"

Name: Laurie from Toronto

The Film: Moonlight (USA)

What's it about?

It's a coming of age film -- but that description doesn't do it justice -- about a young boy growing up in Miami who is discovering his same sex attraction. He's trying to really carve out a place for himself in this landscape that is plague by a variety definitions of masculinity that don't really reflect who he is. He doesn't do that alone. He has a mentor in the form of a man who befriends him. Interestingly, that character is only in the movie in the first act, but it really lays the groundwork for helping the boy understand that no one else can define you. Life is about finding your way and defining yourself.

Did you like it?

The film is beautifully done. Each chapter is divided according to names that other people have given him: Little, Chiron and Black. Throughout each act, director Barry Jenkins (Medicine for Melancholy) has managed to put a spotlight on a real pivotal moment in each stage of the character's life. Together with the music, score and cinematography, it came together like an exquisite piece of art.

[You don't often see black characters like this in film]. They're vulnerable and real. I hope that audiences respond to it with compassion. The fact that Jenkins uses silence to communicate what's going on in the interior life of the character, I think speaks volumes and speaks directly to the heart of the audience.

***

Laurie is a writer and director. Check out her video blog, Human Frequency Docs, to see her short vignettes. "I call them street documentaries," she describes. "I talk to people about whatever they want to talk to me about, and then I link their stories to underscore that we're all kind of having one conversation."

Follow Laurie on Instagram.

TIFF Talk 2016: Cara, "Personal Shopper"

Name: Cara from Toronto

The Film: Personal Shopper (France)

What's it about?

It's about this girl (Kristen Stewart) who tries to come to terms with losing her brother and dealing with the afterlife.  

Did you like it?

I liked it. It's a strange experience -- there was a mixture of genres going back and forth. It was like several movies rolled up into one. There was interesting use of special effects; which I didn't expect. I really have to think about it for a while to process it.

I thought it was an interesting choice to have Kristen Stewart's character texting all the time on her iPhone. At times, I was a little bit impatient with it, but I think it's true to life. It's how many of us spend our time.

Kristen Stewart's performance was great. There was a lot of intensity in her eyes. She really channeled loneliness and suffering.


Personal Shopper International Trailer

TIFF Talk 2016: Alex, "Snowden"

Name: Alex from Toronto

The Film: Snowden (USA)

What's it about?

Edward Snowden's story as an NSA whistleblower.

Did you like it?

I thought it was really good. I really enjoyed it. The big thing for me is that the film changed my opinion of him. Going into the movie, I felt that he was just this hacker whose actions weren't as noble as he portrayed them to be, but after seeing it, my perception of him has definitely changed. I now understand his feelings for doing what he did for the greater good. I hope the film gets people talking about [privacy] a little bit more.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance as Snowden was great. That was obvious when they eventually cut to the real Edward Snowden. The way Gordon-Levitt manipulated his voice to sound more like him is pretty amazing. He certainly became Snowden.

Snowden Trailer

TIFF Talk 2016: Tara, "Free Fire"

Name: Tara from Calgary

The Film: Free Fire (United Kingdom)

What's it about?

It's about a deal gone wrong and getting out alive.

Did you like it?


I like what director Ben Wheatley (Kill List, A Field in England) said about the film: it's action that you actually enjoy. It's not like "boom, crash" for no apparent reason. The people are shooting for a reason and I love that they miss because that's reality. I loved it.

The film's violence was real. That's what happens when a bullet ricochets and hits you in the head. I like the 70's costumes, hair and accessories -- like the sunglasses. I think the wardrobe gives you a lot of insight into their characters more so than their dialogue.

I think it will definitely appeal to a large audience. I have friends who chose not to come see the film because it's Ben Wheatley and they didn't necessary enjoy his last one (High-Rise). My argument to them was, "you know what? I've gone to see movies from directors that I love and I didn't like some of them. If someone that I love can do something that I don't like, then someone I don't necessarily like might make something I do like. It all depends on the cast, the script and the story. Sometimes, just take off the blinders and go see a movie. If you like an actor in it, who cares who the director is. If you like the director, don't worry about who's in it.

I liked Brie Larson's performance. I've enjoyed her since The United States of Tara. I love that she got her big break last year with Room. I like that's she's getting more great roles. She's the only female in the film. For me, I think she had the right eyes. She had more eye dialogue than actual dialogue. She pulled it off.

Free Fire Red Band Trailer

TIFF Talk 2016: Earl, "The Birth of a Nation"

Name: Earl from Los Angeles

The Film: The Birth of a Nation (USA)

What's it about?

It's the story of Nat Turner, [the enslaved African-American who led an insurrection against slave masters in 1831].

Did you like it?

I think that director Nate Parker did an excellent job in telling Nat Turner's story. If I didn't receive a free ticket tonight, I definitely would have paid to go see it. It was a very good movie. I heard a lot of mixed reaction about the film. Many people think that it was well done, but others feel that it's too dramatized. I don't agree with that.

We still see some of the same issues [depicted in the film]. You never really grow up in this world. No matter who you are or when you were born, you never really grow up.  

I think that [the rape allegations against Nate Parker] have been elevated to discount the movie. There are a lot of actors who have had issues, but [the press] hasn't brought it out like that. Look at Woody Allen. Nate Parker has been acquitted and I don't have a problem with that. This is not about him, it's about [Nat Turner's] story and I hope that it doesn't affect the film.

The Birth of a Nation Trailer