As I try to do every so often, I take a look at what is going on in some of the international film festivals. Sometimes my interests make it to the blogosphere, more times not.
As you have probably figured out by now I am not in Toronto covering the event – but I am very curious about several of the films I have seen that are part of the program. Check them out below (in alphabetical order; images and synopses provided by the official Toronto Film Festival website):
9.79*
Filmmaker Daniel Gordon investigates the 1988 Olympic race that resulted in disgrace for Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, a gold medal for the USA’s Carl Lewis, and major controversy over drug testing.
Bad 25
Spike Lee pays tribute to Michael Jackson’s Bad on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the epochal album, offering behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson recording the album and interviews with confidants, musicians, choreographers, and such music-world superstars as Kanye West, Sheryl Crow, Cee Lo Green and Mariah Carey.
The Central Park Five
The devastating new documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon on the infamous “Central Park Jogger” case details how a rush to judgment by police, media and an outraged public led to five black and Latino teenagers being convicted for a heinous crime that they did not commit.
Great Expectations
An outstanding roster of British acting talent — including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Sally Hawkins, Jason Flemyng, Ewen Bremner — bring Charles Dickens’ universe to life in this magnificent new screen version of the classic novel from director Mike Newell.
A Liar’s Autobiography — The Untrue Story of Monty Python’s Graham Chapman
John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam pay tribute to their late Monty Python colleague Graham Chapman in this hilarious, 3-D animated adaptation of Chapman’s brazenly fictionalized life story.
Love, Marilyn
Love, Marilyn takes an intimate look into the never-before-seen letters, diaries and notebooks of Marilyn Monroe. Appearing on screen to perform Marilyn’s words are renowned contemporary actresses, including Marisa Tomei, Uma Thurman, and Glenn Close.
Much Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare’s classic comedy gets contemporary spin in Joss Whedon’s stylized adaptation. Shot in just twelve days using the original text, the story of sparring lovers Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof) offers a dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love.
Venus and Serena
An intimate documentary that takes us inside the lives of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, during a year when debilitating injuries and life-threatening illness threatened to take them out of the game once and for all.
Do any of these films interest you? Have you taken a look at the Toronto lineup yet?
I’m most intrigued by Great Expectations out of this list. Man, I wish I could attend TIFF this year.
ruth recently posted..TEN Notable Foreign Actors to Watch – Where Are They Now?
I wish I could attend every year!
I know, right? 😀
ruth recently posted..Reflecting on 9/11 and the Movies… 11 years later
Love, Marilyn sounds wonderful. I was excited for Great Expectations until I saw the trailer, it looks pretty bad
sati recently posted..(43) Yin and Yang. Bonnie and Clyde. Bert and Ernie. + links
Loving the look of the docs/ Mostly Central Park Five has piqued my interest.
Pete Turner (@ilovethatfilm) recently posted..Before Midnight Before You Know It!
That should be a very interesting one ….
9.79 sounds fascinating. I remember watching that on TV as a kid, and being so proud he broke the world record. Until the truth came out… Hopefully I can catch that one at VIFF.
Me too!
That Central Park doc brings back harrowing memories.
Jay-Dee recently posted..What Should You Do About Maurice Jones-Drew This Week?
Definitely a harrowing commentary on 80’s NYC.
The other feature documentary on Serena begs the question, “is she arguably the best female tennis player of all-time?”
Jay-Dee recently posted..What Should You Do About Maurice Jones-Drew This Week?
Apparently the Williams’ sisters are distancing themselves from it because of the portrayal of Richard.