Hollywood’s A-list stars are converging in Toronto for North America’s largest film festival, a 10-day extravaganza of Oscar-worthy films, insightful documentaries, and glitzy red carpets that kicked off on Thursday, September 5.
This year symbolizes a triumphant return to form for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), coming after a challenging previous year marred by actors’ and writers’ strikes that restrained top talent from promoting their work. Despite a stellar lineup of films in 2023, the red carpets were noticeably void of star-studded appearances in adherence to union rules.
However, 2024 promises to be different. Icons like Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman are just a few of the high-profile names gracing Canada’s largest city, eager to present their new creative projects to the world.
“Toronto is renowned for its audience enthusiasm, and that excitement reaches a crescendo when the world’s biggest stars are here,” Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, expressed to AFP. “We’re thrilled to host the festival free from last year’s constraints, though I believe we managed the best we could given the circumstances.”
The highly-anticipated kickoff was spearheaded by Ben Stiller’s “Nutcrackers,” a family dramedy about a Chicago real estate developer who is compelled to take charge of his four nephews after a tragedy befalls his sister’s family. This film marks Stiller’s return to the big screen after seven years, during which he focused on television directing with projects like “Escape at Dannemora” and “Severance.”
Among the much-awaited world premieres is Ron Howard’s “Eden,” a covert survival film set in the Galapagos Islands starring Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney, slated to debut on Saturday.
Fresh off her success in Venice with her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in “Maria,” Angelina Jolie arrives in Toronto with her latest directorial endeavor, “Without Blood,” a gripping narrative involving family and revenge in the early 20th century, which features Salma Hayek.
TIFF’s slate features an impressive array of 278 films, displaying a diverse range of genres and stories. Rock legends Elton John and Bruce Springsteen are set to premiere new documentaries that chronicle their extraordinary careers. Joining them on the red carpet will be other music industry giants such as Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Paul Anka, and the multifaceted Pharrell Williams, each featured in new documentaries about their lives and careers.
Bailey revealed that the music-centric programming wasn’t deliberate but evolved naturally.
. “It started as a fluke and gradually gained its own momentum. We kept encountering films deeply rooted in music and ultimately decided to embrace it,” he explained to AFP.
Other fascinating documentaries include “The Last Republican,” focused on former US congressman Adam Kinzinger and his controversial break from his party, and “Men of War,” which delves into the chaotic 2020 attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The Toronto International Film Festival is a pivotal event in the cinematic calendar, held in conjunction with other prestigious festivals such as Venice and Telluride. These festivals often present the films that will be in contention for the Oscars. TIFF, with its screenings open to everyday moviegoers alongside media and industry insiders, is known for showcasing audience favorites and feel-good films like “Nutcrackers” and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot.”
Sports dramas based on real-life inspiration are also part of this year’s selections. “Unstoppable” tells the story of a college wrestler with dreams of going professional despite having only one right leg. Jennifer Lopez co-stars as the wrestler’s supportive mother. Also premiering is “The Fire Inside,” which chronicles the journey of boxer Claressa Shields on her path to Olympic gold.
The festival will run from Thursday through September 15, concluding with the anticipated People’s Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences. This award has proven to be a reliable predictor of Oscar success, with previous winners like “Nomadland” and “Green Book” going on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Last year’s recipient of the People’s Choice Award was “American Fiction,” which subsequently garnered five Oscar nominations and won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
The 10-day cinematic celebration is poised to captivate audiences with its blend of Hollywood glamour, compelling narratives, and a return to the vibrant buzz that TIFF is celebrated for.
Published – September 06, 2024 04:35 pm IST
World cinema / English cinema
