Mahamat-Saleh Haroun has an uncanny ability of exploring the impacts of war in a poetic way. He displayed this in both A Screaming Man and the documentary Hissein Habré, A Chadian Tragedy, and he does so again with his latest work A Season in France. The story follows Abbas (Eriq Ebouaney), a refugee who is […]
September
22
TIFF 2017: The Florida Project
posted by Courtney Small
The Florida Project, director Sean Baker’s follow-up to Tangerine, takes place just on the outskirts of the most magical place on earth, but is far from a whimsical dream. Baker’s profound and moving film turns a light on a side of Florida that few are willing to see. Focusing on the day-to-day life of 22-year-old […]
September
22
TIFF 2017: Molly’s Game
posted by Courtney Small
Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) has been a fierce competitor all her life. If not for a freak accident on the slopes, she would probably have a few Olympic gold medals and numerous sponsorship deals. Unfortunately, Bloom’s life took a different turn after her skiing career abruptly came to an end. Working as a personal assistant, […]
September
21
TIFF 2017: Public Schooled
posted by Courtney Small
Public Schooled, the latest film from actor-director Kyle Rideout, is one of those coming-of-age romantic comedies whose premise could only exist in the movies. After being home schooled for his entire life, Liam (Daniel Doheny) is one equivalency exam away from graduating high school and pursuing his physicist dreams at Cambridge. On the day of […]
September
21
TIFF interview with The Crescent’s Seth A. Smith and Danika Vandersteen on Frameline
posted by Courtney Small
In part three of Frameline’s coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Barbara Goslawski and I spoke to director Seth A. Smith and actress Danika Vandersteen about their film, The Crescent, which screened in the Midnight Madness programme. We also discuss a few other films that screened at the festival this year including: The […]
September
20
TIFF 2017: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
posted by Courtney Small
Martin McDonagh’s latest film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, is a darkly comedic drama that explores the dangerous cycle that can occur when anger and hate replace grief and compassion. At its core is Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), a mother who decides to take action when the investigation into her teenage daughter’s murder begins to […]
September
20
TIFF 2017: Brad’s Status
posted by Courtney Small
There is a wealth of films that have looked at men going through what can only be called mid-life crisis. By all accounts Brad Sloan (Ben Stiller) seems to be going through one, at least internally. From the outside, his life seems to be pretty good. He is the head of a non-profit organization, his […]
September
18
TIFF 2017: Loveless
posted by Courtney Small
Staying together for the kid is never a good idea. It is equally problematic when you are in the process of a divorce and have no clue what to do with the kid. This is the situation that Boris (Aleksey Rozin) and Zhenya (Maryana Spivak) find themselves in. Their marriage has dissolved to a level […]
September
18
TIFF 2017: The Royal Hibiscus Hotel
posted by Courtney Small
After looking at the decline of a relationship in his previous film, Road to Yesterday, Nigerian director Ishaya Bako lightens the mood this time around with The Royal Hibiscus Hotel. The film is everything you would expect from a romantic comedy, which carries its fair share of pros and cons depending on your viewpoint. At […]
September
17
TIFF 2017: The Shape of Water
posted by Courtney Small
The Shape of Water, the latest work from Guillermo del Toro, proclaims to be a tale of love and loss and the monster who tried to destroy it all. If you are familiar with del Toro’s previous works, then you will know that the real monsters are not always the ones with the scary exteriors. […]
September
17
TIFF 2017: Suburbicon
posted by Courtney Small
The peaceful community of Suburbicon, an idealistic 1950’s destination for those who like their Americana to be filled with apple pies and white picket fences, is turned upside down when the Meyers, an African-American family, moves in. While the folks in the community would be the first to state that there is not a racist […]
September
16
TIFF 2017: I, Tonya
posted by Courtney Small
For those of us who remember the 1994 figure skating controversy that erupted when US medal hopeful Nancy Kerrigan was unexpectedly assaulted, it was the ultimate good versus evil narrative. Kerrigan was the apple of America’s eye and Tanya Harding was the villain, by association to the men behind the assault. As a result, Harding’s […]
September
16
TIFF 2017: There Is a House Here
posted by Derek Jacobs
There is a House Here is your standard wandering interview documentary, traversing through the town of Igluik, Nunavut to pose questions to the Inuit denizens about their lives, their homes, and their culture. Though there are moments of levity and optimism, the film is mostly a harrowing and depressing look at cultural extinction and childhood […]
September
16
TIFF 2017: Luk’Luk’I
posted by Derek Jacobs
Wayne Wapeemukwa’s feature debut Luk’Luk’I exists in a bizarre space halfway between documentary and fairy tale. It features vignettes of five “characters” during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. They all live on the outskirts, and their lives are only tangentially related to each other. Their stories range from the grim and realistic to the […]
September
15
TIFF 2017: Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami
posted by Courtney Small
Grace Jones’ lengthy career has spanned the worlds of music, fashion and acting, so it is somewhat surprising that no one thought to make a film about her life until now. Thankfully Sophie Fiennes’ new film Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami is here to fill that void. Taking an unconventional approach, the film forgoes the […]
September
15
TIFF 2017: Cardinals
posted by Matt
Grayson Moore and Aidan Shipley’s debut feature, Cardinals opens on the scene of a fatal accident. This is where we meet Valerie Walker (Sheila McCarthy), pouring herself another drink as she waits for the police to arrive. We immediately pick up the story years later when Valerie is released from prison and being greeted by […]
September
14
TIFF Interviews with Yassmina Karajah, Linsey Stewart, Mouna Traoré and Dan Browne on Frameline
posted by Courtney Small
In part two of Frameline’s coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Barbara Goslawski and I spoke with some fierce women who made great contributions to the Short Cuts programme. It was a pleasure to sit down with directors Yassmina Karajah (Rupture), Linsey Stewart (Bickford Park), and actress Mouna Traoré (The Drop In). We […]
September
14
TIFF 2017: Bodied
posted by Courtney Small
Much like the rap battles it both elevates and deconstructs, the Eminem produced Bodied is full of insight and contradictions. It is a film that wants to have its cake and eat it too, and for the most part it succeeds. Frequently funny, Joseph Kahn’s latest work offers some of the most scathing commentary you […]
September
14
TIFF 2017: Creatura Dada
posted by Derek Jacobs
It almost feels folly to describe Caroline Monnet’s Creatura Dada with any kind of sincerity. I could certainly do it, but it will take you more time to read my blurby review than to actually watch the film. I watched it four times in preparation, and each time I noticed something different. At a scant […]
September
14
TIFF 2017: The President’s Visit
posted by Derek Jacobs
In a small village in Lebanon, a soap maker toils in his dingy shop. He earns very little respect from the townsfolk, though his service is essential. Then, one day, the President of the country calls him. As part of a new “Clean Up the Country” campaign, he will be visiting the humble shop to […]
