With a few exceptions, the TIFF line-up for this year is more or less set as this week saw the announcement of more Galas and Special Presentations, as well as films in the Wavelengths and Contemporary World Cinema programmes. The schedule for the festival is going to be announced in just under a week and I can finally begin the painstaking task of deciding exactly what films I want to see during the festival. Here are my highlights of the latest films to be announced: The Armstrong Lie – Alex Gibney, USA (Special Presentations)
It didn’t really take all that long for a documentary to surface about Lance Armstrong’s recent fall from grace.Blind Detective – Johnnie To, Hong Kong (Special Presentations)
Legendary Hong Kong director Johnnie To is back with this riff on the buddy cop genre. A Field in England – Ben Wheatley, United Kingdom (Wavelengths)
Ben Wheatley is no stranger to TIFF, having had films in both the Midnight Madness and Vanguard programs in recent years. However, what makes A Field in England interesting is the fact that it was programmed as part of Wavelengths, which typically consists of avant garde films. As such, this film is now quite high on my “to see” list. Metalhead (Málmhaus) – Ragnar Bragason, Iceland (Contemporary World Cinema)
I have to admit that I was sold on this Icelandic film by title alone. Unforgiven (Yurusarezarumono) – Lee Sang-il, Japan (Special Presentations)
Clint Eastwood‘s 1992 Best Picture winner is remade as samurai western starring Ken Watanabe. That’s enough for me. The Wonders (Plaot) – Avi Nesher, Israel (Contemporary World Cinema)
Like Juan of the Dead and Ghost Graduation in years past, there always seems to be at least one off-beat comedy in the Contemporary World Cinema programme. This Israeli film, with shades of Alice in Wonderland, looks to be this year’s selection. And those are my highlights for the week. The full TIFF schedule will be announced this Tuesday.
TIFF13: Highlights of the Rest
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