Film
Canada's Top 10 Films of 2009
Getting an early start on the customary best and worst list blitz for the year, the Toronto International Film Festival held a shindig at Revival last night to raise a toast to Canada's top 10 films of 2009. What can I say... a panel of filmmakers, critics, academics and industry professionals have singled out homegrown stories about a wannabe Russian revolutionary, a goofy superhero, and a large scale role-playing game. So yeah, just your average Canadian narratives.
Film
The Demise of the Gerrard Cinema
The answering machine at the Gerrard Cinema says "One film, 7:30, $5" -- in Tamil. But, it took a few days, and a lot of help from my friends, to sort that out. Still, it seemed like the perfect occasion to attend an authentic Bollywood screening had presented itself.
Or maybe not. Later that night, I popped by hoping to stumble into a line up around the corner, but instead I found an empty theatre and a guy moving stuff around in the lobby... and thus another local movie house on the brink of closure, this time on the East side of Jones at Gerrard.
Film
New Argentine Cinema at Cinematheque
The TIFF Cinematheque is gearing up to showcase new Argentine cinema, and admittedly, I'm always a sucker for the latest hot spots and avant-guarde filmmakers. TIFF's year-round screening programme has a series called "Film Now" that fits that bill, a much appreciated spotlight on contemporary films.Two new highbrow(ish) programmes are running at Jackman Hall from November 27th to December 4th: Ride Lonesome: The Films Of Lisandro Alonso and Holy Girls & Headless Women: The Films Of Lucrecia Martel. And given that this is some pretty cutting edge cinema coming from Argentina, I'm excited.
Film
EU Film Festival Screens Excellent European Cinema (for Free!)
Those who have attended the The EU Film Festival know that it's all about the movies. No red carpets. No pitch sessions. No industry conferences. Pretty novel, eh? Toronto-based embassies, consulates and cultural centers put on this non-commercial event every year, simply to showcase the latest crop of acclaimed films coming out of Europe.
Eh!U Meet the Europeans Film Festival runs for a full two weeks from November 19 to December 3, 2009 and every night a new country will be in the spotlight with most screenings taking place at the Royal Cinema. Best of all, cultural export budgets are at work here, meaning there is no charge for admission!
Film
Reel Asian Film Festival 2009 Roundup
The Reel Asian International Film Festival is due to hit Toronto screens in two days (from November 11th to 15th). Not so surprisingly, Reel Asian covers a large scope in its 13th annual run -- from a farming community in rural Thailand to a gay community in San Francisco. Never knowing what to expect next, I was drawn into watching one preview DVD after another. And having voluntarily skipped the sunny weekend to screen Real Asian picks, I can confirm that there are definitely a few movies worth checking out in this year's lineup.
Film
Russian Reels Hit the Big Screen at the KinoArt Film Festival
The KinoArt Film Festival, which runs from November 5th until November 8th, features new(ish) works from Russia. But it's not the only film fest on the horizon.By the looks of things on the Toronto festival circuit, film buffs will have more flicks to choose from than time this month. The November movie blitz kicks off on Wednesday with the Regent Park Film Festival's annual community showcase, and some crazy tales will be on at the Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival. But for Russophiles (such as myself) the KinoArt Festival is a priority.
Though this year's lineup is heavy on period pieces and literary adaptations, may I recommend a few mysterious and oddly compelling gems?
