For the first time ever, Geek Vibes Nation will be on the scene at the Toronto International Film Festival. Taking place September 8th – 18th, the festival’s 47th edition will feature some of this season’s most anticipated awards darlings, alongside hundreds of additional films across 14 sections. In anticipation of what is sure to be an explosive ten days of cinema, GVN’s TIFF correspondents are here to break down which films from each section are getting them most excited.
Larry: Guys, I was already excited to attend my first ever TIFF, but since learning the full lineup of films, my excitement has tripled. Every section is dripping with premieres that sound amazing, some of which I had never heard about until their announcements! I’m super excited to break down what’s on your minds going into yet another year for the biggest film festival in North America!
Brandon: Honestly, this year’s slate is an embarrassment of riches. Every week leading up to the festival blew me away with what was premiering, to the point where I was actually hoping they would stop. (Although, I’m so glad they didn’t before announcing Aftersun, but we’ll get to that in a bit).
Kelly: There aren’t enough hours in the day! There’s everything from Oscar bait to promising crowd pleasers to raw and artistic indie films. The slate is unreal. Scrolling through the 200+ features and having to piece together my watch schedule felt like I was trying to pull off a high-stakes heist.
Larry: Well, four or five alternate schedules later, we all have our schedules close to locked with plenty of tickets booked (though some of us are still trying to get tickets, if you know you know). Let’s dive into some of the biggest sections and see what we’re all most excited for.
Gala Presentations
Movie stars. Red-carpet premieres. Major audience interest.
Larry: For me, and I know Brandon agrees, I’m most hyped for The Woman King with Viola Davis, and it’s not much of a contest. Gina Prince-Bythewood really impressed me with her work on The Old Guard, and I’m excited to see her tackle a period-action film. Also worth noting here is awards contender The Son from Florian Zeller. Meant as the second film adapted from a trilogy of plays, Anthony Hopkins is suspected to reprise his character from Zeller’s last film, The Father. Zeller Cinematic Universe?? I kid. Kinda. Lastly, one that also intrigues me is Catherine Hardwicke’s Prisoner’s Daughter, with Brian Cox and Kate Beckinsale. Hardwicke has yet to have a critical hit since her directorial debut, Thirteen. Could this be her return to form? I’m interested to find out.
Brandon: The Woman King. That is pretty much it. But if I have to say more, the idea that Gina Prince-Bythewood is further expanding her palette into historical epic drama after such phenomenal character work like Love & Basketball and Beyond the Lights is an undeniable thrill. Also, Viola Davis in a lead role is pretty much catnip for me. I would also say The Son caught my eye, especially since its part of the Florian Zeller universe (alongside The Father) and stars Hugh Jackman in what could very well be an Oscar-nominated role.
Kelly: The Woman King and The Son are definitely at the top of my list. I’m also looking forward to Peter Farrelly’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever. After Farrelly’s Oscar-winning film Green Book, it’ll be interesting to see him once again approach heavy subject matter (in this case, the Vietnam War) through the lens of human connection, emotion, and humor. From the trailer, it looks like he may be bringing back some of his zany comedic brilliance from the 90s (There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, Dumb and Dumber). Another one I have my eye on is Raymond & Ray, starring Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor. There’s this beautiful artistry to the way writer and director Rodrigo García taps into the emotional complexities of his characters – as we’ve seen through his work on In Treatment and Nine Lives, among others. Looking forward to seeing what he has in store with this story.
Special Presentations
High-profile premieres and the world’s leading filmmakers.
Brandon: Honestly, this section is just too much to even properly process. It’s borderline offensive! Harry Styles has a very big festival season this year, with Don’t Worry Darling dropping at Venice. However, I think My Policeman might be the project to watch from him, especially as it digs into a decades-long queer love affair and its wide-ranging impact on three people. Emma Corrin is a phenomenon in her own right, and I think that she has the ability to help pull out what could be a game-changing performance from him. With The Fabelmans, you can’t go wrong with Steven Spielberg and close-to-the-heart projects (Schindler’s List, E.T., to name a few). The fact that he is using his first-ever TIFF appearance for a story based on his own childhood is thrilling, and is already an early contender for the People’s Choice Award. Finally, Brendan Fraser deserves the world, and The Whale seems like it’s the film to give it to him. I’ve had my issues with Darren Aronofsky in the past (I despise mother!), but anything that gets Fraser back on the big screen and in the spotlight, after everything he’s been through, is worth some leeway. I’m already a card-carrying member of the Brendan Fraser Oscar campaign.
Kelly: The Special Presentations lineup is absolutely insane–Causeway, Glass Onion, The Fabelmans—my head is still spinning. I’m particularly excited for Ruben Östlund’s confrontational and biting satire, Triangle of Sadness. Now a two-time winner of the Cannes’ Palme d’Or (The Square, Triangle of Sadness), the Swedish filmmaker’s incendiary rhetoric is bound to cause a stir as he takes aim at the mega-rich. I love his perspective on human behavior and can’t wait to see what he does with this one. Also noteworthy–the brilliant Sarah Polley (Stories We Tell) is returning to the big screen after nearly a decade with Women Talking. The highly-anticipated film is going to be an emotionally heavy, yet important critique of oppression and sexual abuse. And it’s led by an impressive ensemble, including Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand, Claire Foy, and Jessie Buckley.
Larry: Well, you both have briefly touched on them, but my two biggest picks are Glass Onion and The Fabelmans. Based on the character and plot details we’ve already gotten, this Knives Out mystery looks to take a similar framework–punchable stereotypes brought together for a hilarious whodunnit–through a new lens for the lovable Detective Benoit Blanc. Can’t wait to see what director Rian Johnson has in store for us. On the flip-side, you have Fablemans, which might just show us a side of Spielberg we haven’t seen before. Sure, he’s made plenty of sentimental films, but this one sounds like it hits much closer to home. Add that to a love of cinema imbued within its DNA, and we could have a serious awards contender on our hands.
Platform
Directors’ cinema now.
Kelly: Daniel Goldhaber is following up his critically-acclaimed Cam by peeling back the curtain on another hot-button issue in How to Blow Up a Pipeline. It’s a timely exploration of the climate crisis, but through a radically different lens–one in which non-violent environmental activism is swapped for sabotage and destruction. Inspired by Andreas Malm’s controversial non-fiction novel, I think the thriller will blur classic notions of good vs. evil and right vs. wrong. And, surely, it’ll leave viewers asking: how far would you go to make a dent in a cause you’re fighting for?
Larry: Daaaang Kelly, you took one of mine!! Pipeline looks to be a really fascinating blend of mediums to tell a thoroughly unique story. It has been pitched as an environmental Ocean’s Eleven, which is an all-time favorite for me, so I’m in. However, I would also love to spotlight Viking, which also has a slight environmental angle to it, albeit extra-terrestrial. It centers on a group of test subjects being used to predict potential interpersonal problems among a group of astronauts on a voyage to Mars. The film follows how they all fare during the experiment and, as you could likely imagine, the experiment takes a turn for the worst. It’s a blazingly original idea for a farce that has light sci-fi touches–sounds like a recipe for good cinema.
Midnight Madness
The wild side: screenings of the best in action, horror, shock and fantasy cinema.
Larry: Guys, the gauntlet has been thrown. DOWN. Frankly, it’s almost absurd that Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, easily one of the year’s most buzzed about films, is not in the Special Presentations section. The fact that this film was programmed for Midnight Madness, sharing space with some truly wild films, must mean that we are in for a zanier ride than any of us were imagining. Think closer to Rocketman than Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s easily my most anticipated film of the section, followed closely by The People’s Joker, in what looks to be a beautiful send-up on the Clown Prince of Crime from writer-director Vera Drew. Who knows, it could be a beautiful antidote to the last Joker film we got. That’s all I’ll say.
Kelly: Weird is going to be pure nostalgia. Co-written and produced by Yankovic, the film is poised to be as nonsensical and beautifully eccentric as the parody singer himself. And honestly, I can’t think of anyone more perfect for the role than Daniel Radcliffe. I’m also looking forward to Venus from horror veteran Jaume Balagueró (REC series, Sleep Tight). The film, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, “The Dreams in the Witch House,” will likely be a twisted and nightmarish thrill for the Midnight Madness crowd.
Discovery
Directors to watch. The future of world cinema.
Brandon: I’m very much looking forward to seeing Carmen, starring Normal People’s Paul Mescal and Melissa Barrera in a modern adaptation of the classic opera. This time, it’s set in on the U.S.-Mexico border, giving its highly-charged romance important political and cultural resonance. Director Benjamin Millepied is a classically trained dancer, having choreographed and performed in Aronofsky’s Black Swan, so I’m very intrigued to see how he captures the high-octane energy of the opera in his directorial debut.
Kelly: With its already passionate fanbase, Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is primed to be a fan favorite at the festival this year. Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s award-winning novel, the story is an exploration of sexuality, race, identity, and family through the eyes of two teenage boys in 1987 El Paso, Texas. I think it’ll be an emotional, yet honest and touching journey of finding one’s place in the world – a theme that viewers of all ages will be able to connect with.
Larry: Oh boy, I have a lot of dogs in this fight. A Gaza Weekend, Baby Ruby, Return to Seoul…if I had to pick one though, it would have to be This Place. The debut feature from V.T. Nayani, it’s a queer love story set against the backdrop of Toronto’s cultural diversity that can both bring us together and set us apart. Devery Jacobs, who is excellent in Reservation Dogs, co-stars with newcomer Priya Guns. They both come from distinctly different ethnicities–Iranian-Kanienʼkehá꞉ka and Tamil respectively–and it looks to be a gorgeous, tender love story that tackles these different backgrounds in acute, authentic ways. I’m always interested in queer perspectives on film, so this one is not to be missed!
Contemporary World Cinema
Compelling stories, global perspectives.
Larry: Sadly, this section is the only one where I find myself lacking. I am definitely interested in Aftersun, which is a film that I had no feelings about whatsoever until the wonderful reviews coming out of Cannes and Telluride. Plus, we all could use some more Bill Nighy in our lives, so Living is a possible addition to my schedule. However, one that has also caught my eye is Manticore. Maybe it’s just because the lead character is a video game character designer, which is a unique character choice, but it also looks to be deeply disturbing and moody. It almost feels like a Midnight Madness pick thrown into the wrong section. Here’s hoping I can fit some more of this section into my schedule!
Brandon: Back at it again with my Paul Mescal fandom, but he is truly one of the most promising young actors working today. Aftersun has been making serious waves since its premiere at Cannes, with Charlotte Wells’ first feature blowing critics away with its gentle spirit and self-assuredness. The story of a young father (Mescal) taking his daughter (Frankie Corio) on holiday has made people weep only. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if A24 stages a robust awards campaign for Mescal. Even if his chances are slim (he’s up against Fraser, Jackman, and potentially Austin Butler), I wouldn’t count him out. Aftersun’s rapturous reception thus far could make a difference.
Wavelengths
Daring, visionary, and autonomous voices. Film art in the cinema and beyond.
Larry: Somehow, I seem to be the only member of our team with some of this section on his schedule!! C’mon guys…anyway, I have two I wish to spotlight! The first is Queens of the Qing Dynasty, a Canadian film that pits a suicidal teenager with an international exchange student from Shanghai. It looks to be a somber story about how unexpected relationships can bring out the best in all of us. And now, onto something totally different: De Humani Corporis Fabrica. If you have had the distinct experience of seeing previous work by Verena Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor (specifically Leviathan), then you know that nobody is making documentaries like they are. De Humani looks to be an immersive, seismic exploration of the human body, presenting it in ways only cinema can truly achieve. This is going to be an absolute trip, and I’m here for it 100%.
Conclusion
Larry: Welp, there you have it! Now you know where to find us at the fest this year. If you do recognize any of us, say hi! We’d love to swap stories and schedules with you. Brandon, Kelly, I can’t wait to meet up with you guys on the ground in Toronto to share in what will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Brandon: I couldn’t be more excited for TIFF if I tried. (I packed and re-packed three times.) It’s going to be an unforgettable week, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it with you guys!
Kelly: This is definitely going to be one for the books! I’m excited to share such a unique opportunity with you both. Everyone stay tuned for all the amazing TIFF coverage we’ll be sharing with you over the next couple of weeks.
Larry Fried is a filmmaker, writer, and podcaster based in New Jersey. He is the host and creator of the podcast “My Favorite Movie is…,” a podcast dedicated to helping filmmakers make somebody’s next favorite movie. He is also the Visual Content Manager for Special Olympics New Jersey, an organization dedicated to competition and training opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the Garden State.